Childcare CPR & first aid requirements

If you work in childcare in Tennessee — whether at a daycare, preschool, home-based care, or camp — first aid and CPR certification is not optional. It's a licensing requirement, and for good reason: children are among the most vulnerable to choking, allergic reactions, and injuries. Being prepared to respond can mean everything.

What Tennessee requires

Tennessee licenses child care agencies through the Department of Human Services under Chapter 1240-04-01, and it sets a clear on-site standard: at least one staff member certified in first aid and one certified in CPR — matched to the ages of the children present — must be on site at all times. All staff must complete first aid and CPR training within 90 days of employment, and the certification includes a hands-on practical component, not just a written test. Where children over 12 are in care, that coverage extends to adult CPR and first aid as well.

Anaphylaxis and medication administration

Tennessee explicitly permits emergency medication such as an epinephrine auto-injector, prescribed by a licensed medical professional, to be kept in an unlocked container that is still inaccessible to children — so it can be reached the instant it is needed. Written parental authorization is required before any medication is given, and only staff trained in medication administration may administer it. For a child with a severe allergy, that combination of a ready device, a signed authorization, and trained staff is what turns an anaphylaxis emergency into a survivable one.

How our courses meet these requirements

A recognized, standards-based certification — online theory paired with a hands-on skills check — meets Tennessee’s requirement and keeps your team ready to act.

Don't wait for renewal day

In the first minutes of a choking episode, a cardiac arrest, or an allergic reaction, the caregiver in the room is the whole rescue — and Tennessee builds its 90-day training deadline around exactly that reality. Certification means your staff have practiced these responses on infant and child manikins and know them in their hands, not just on paper. A recognized, standards-based course that blends online lessons with an in-person skills check meets the state's requirement and gives every family who walks through your door real peace of mind.