Texas child care staff training & qualifications
Annual training hours and director/lead-teacher minimums. This page isolates the configured Texas figures, related explanations, and primary source links from the full licensing guide.
Cited to 26 TAC Chapter 746Verified July 2026Summary only, not legal advice
Annual training hours
- 24 hours/year of ongoing training for each staff member
- 30 hours/year for the director
- 24-hour new-staff orientation
Common required courses
Minimum qualifications
Director
At least 21 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, plus one of seven education and experience pathways (Figure 26 TAC §746.1015, for centers licensed for 13 or more children): (1) a bachelor's degree with 12 credit hours in child development and 6 in management, plus 1 year of experience; (2) an AAS in child development or a related field with 6 child development and 6 management credit hours, plus 2 years; (3) 60 college credit hours including 9 in child development and 6 in management, plus 2 years; (4) a community-college child-care administrator's certificate with at least 15 child development and 3 management credit hours, plus 2 years; (5) 6 management credit hours with a CDA or CCP credential, plus 2 years; (6) an approved day-care administrator's credential (26 TAC Ch. 745, Subchapter P), plus 2 years; or (7) 9 child development and 9 management credit hours, plus 3 years. Options (5) and (6) require periodic renewal (§§746.1053, 746.1055), and experience is defined at §746.1021. Centers licensed for 12 or fewer children use the separate table at §746.1017.
Lead teacher
Caregivers must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma, high school equivalent, or high school certificate of coursework completion (26 TAC §746.1107; all employees §746.1105). A 16 or 17 year old holding a diploma or equivalent may be counted in the child/caregiver ratio if never left with sole responsibility, works in the same room under a §746.1107-qualified caregiver, and has completed an approved child-care career program (§746.1109).
Citation: 26 TAC Chapter 746
Texas staff training & qualifications FAQ
What qualifications does a center director need in Texas?
A director must be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, and must meet one of seven education-and-experience pathways set out at §746.1015. Directors also complete 30 clock hours of training a year, at least 6 of them instructor-led.
How many annual training hours are required for staff in Texas?
A caregiver completes 24 clock hours a year, at least 5 instructor-led (§746.1309). A director completes 30, at least 6 instructor-led, plus 6 hours of management and leadership with 5 or fewer years of director experience (3 hours with more) (§746.1311). Pre-service training counts separately: 24 clock hours, 8 before a caregiver may be counted in ratio and 16 within 90 days.
What is the childcare subsidy program in Texas?
Child Care Services (CCS) is the state's CCDF subsidy, set by the Texas Workforce Commission under 40 TAC Chapter 809 and delivered by 28 local Workforce Development Boards. Families qualify at or below 85% of State Median Income, with an asset test of $1,000,000 or less (§809.41), and the Parent Share of Cost is a sliding scale capped at 7% of family income (§809.19). A child may have no more than 40 unexplained absences per 12-month eligibility period (§809.78). Attendance runs through TX3C on a parent or sponsor PIN plus signature; a photo is optional.
Disclaimer: These figures summarize 26 TAC Chapter 746 and its companion chapters for convenience; confirm current requirements directly with HHSC Child Care Regulation before making licensing decisions. This page is a summary for informational purposes only and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm with Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation.