When the state mandates training for our staff, are we the ones paying for it?

Q: “Our business is a for-profit private school. If the state of Virginia requires state-mandated training before individuals can be employed to work directly with children at the school, are we required to pay our hourly employees for that training before they start? Additionally, the state requires 16 hours of yearly ongoing training hours for all staff working directly with the children. Are we required to pay hourly staff for these hours even though it is a state-mandated requirement of employment to work directly with the children?” – Lisa, Virginia