Childcare CPR & first aid requirements

If you work in childcare in Puerto Rico — 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 Puerto Rico requires

In Puerto Rico, Regulation 8860 of 2016, issued under Act 173-2016, requires directors and educators at child care centers to hold current CPR and first-aid certifications. CPR/AED and first-aid certifications are valid for two years, and compliance is overseen by the Department of the Family through its Licensing Office. This is a direct requirement of the educational staff, not merely a recommendation.

Anaphylaxis and medication administration

Child care centers follow the health protocols of the Department of the Family and the Department of Health, which allow medication to be administered with parental consent. Epinephrine remains prescription-only and no specific stock-epinephrine mandate for centers has been confirmed, so it is wise to document each child's allergies, obtain the family's written authorization, and keep prescribed medication stored safely and within reach.

How our courses meet these requirements

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

Don't wait for renewal day

When a child is choking or a heart stops, the first minutes are decided by whoever is present, not by whoever arrives later. Training in pediatric CPR and first aid gives staff the technique and composure to act safely, and it gives families the assurance that their children are in prepared hands. A recognized, standards-based certification satisfies Regulation 8860 and, above all, keeps the team ready for the moment that truly matters.