Childcare CPR & first aid requirements

First Aid & CPR New Mexico

If you work in childcare in New Mexico — 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.

Requirements at a glance

Regulatory framework8.16.2 NMAC (personnel and staffing for centers) — all educators, staff, and management in direct contact with children must be certified in first aid and CPR with a pediatric component. From the date of hire, staff have three months to obtain certification. Training must include a hands-on component; the state requires an in-person or blended process — 100% online is allowed only at the employer's discretion.
Governing authorityNew Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD)
Renewal periodEvery 2 years
New hire deadlineWithin 90 days of hire
Min. certified staffAll staff in direct contact with children must be certified
Online training acceptanceOnline courses accepted
Every 2 yearsOnline courses accepted

What New Mexico requires

New Mexico requires all educators, staff and management in direct contact with children to be certified in first aid and CPR with a pediatric component, under 8.16.2 NMAC. New staff have three months from their hire date to obtain certification, overseen by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. Because the training must include a hands-on component, the state expects an in-person or blended course; a fully online course is accepted only at the employer's discretion.

Anaphylaxis and medication administration

Under 8.16.2.26 NMAC, medication may be given only with written parental permission (and prescriber instructions for prescription drugs), and all medication must be kept in a locked container inaccessible to children. School-age children may carry and self-administer prescribed epinephrine with medical documentation, so pairing each child's autoinjector with an individual allergy action plan and staff trained to recognize anaphylaxis remains the safest practice.

How our courses meet these requirements

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

Don't wait for renewal day

In the seconds after a child collapses or reacts to an allergen, a trained caregiver is the difference between fear and a plan. A pediatric certification built on recognized national standards, delivered as a blended course that combines online learning with hands-on skills practice, meets New Mexico's expectation and prepares your team to act with confidence. It keeps you license-ready and shows families their children are truly protected.