Alaska Daycare CPR and First Aid Requirements

The Basic Rule

Every licensed child care facility in Alaska — whether it's a home, group home, or center — must have at least one caregiver with a valid pediatric CPR and first aid certification on duty whenever children are present. This isn't a one-time check for licensing; the certification must remain current throughout the life of the program.

For a solo home daycare operator, this means your certification simply cannot lapse. If it expires and you don't have a certified assistant, you can't legally operate until you recertify.

What Counts as Valid

The CCPO requires certifications that include age-appropriate CPR (pediatric and infant techniques, not just adult CPR) and pediatric first aid. The certification must include a hands-on practical skills assessment — this is where the most common confusion happens.

Purely online courses that skip the in-person skills check may be rejected by the CCPO. The practical component matters because infant CPR technique (compression depth, hand positioning, rescue breathing) is fundamentally different from adult CPR, and demonstrating it in person is part of the standard.

Hybrid courses — online instruction followed by an in-person skills session — are generally accepted. This gives you scheduling flexibility while still meeting the practical requirement.

Approved Providers

The following organizations offer courses that meet Alaska's child care licensing standards:

• American Red Cross — Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED courses available in person and blended format across Alaska
• American Heart Association (AHA) — Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED, available through local training centers
• Local hospitals and fire departments — Many Alaska hospitals offer community CPR classes that include pediatric modules
• Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) — Another nationally recognized provider with courses accepted by the CCPO

Before enrolling in any course, confirm with the provider that it includes the pediatric/infant component and a hands-on skills evaluation. A standard adult-only CPR course doesn't satisfy the requirement.

Cost and Renewal

Initial certification runs $50 to $200 depending on the provider and format. In-person classroom courses tend to cost more than blended options but compress the whole thing into one day.

Renewal timing depends on the issuing provider. Check your card's expiration date and schedule renewal well in advance — course availability in rural Alaska can be limited, and a gap in certification means a gap in your ability to operate.

The SEED Professional Development Reimbursement covers CPR and first aid certification costs as qualifying training expenses, up to the $2,000 annual cap.

What to Watch For

A few scenarios that catch providers mid-operation:

Expired certification during inspection — If a licensing specialist visits and your CPR card is expired, it's a compliance finding. You'll get a correction deadline, but it's entirely avoidable.

Assistant coverage — If you hire an assistant, consider having them certified too. When you're sick or on leave, they can maintain the facility's compliance requirement. For group homes with two required caregivers, at least one must hold a current certification at all times.

Documentation — Keep a physical or digital copy of your current certification card on-site where the licensing specialist can review it during inspections. Log the certification in your SEED registry profile.

For a full map of how CPR fits into the licensing timeline alongside background checks, training hours, and home inspection prep, see our Alaska Home Daycare License guide.

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