Home Childcare Business Licensing by State
If you want to open your own childcare business - either from home or a separate facility, you will need
to obtain a license and pass inspections.
Each state and city has its own requirements and regulations to ensure that each childcare facility is safe
for the children and that it complies with local laws.
Start by obtaining a copy of the licensing standards from your state's Department of Children and Family
Services. The standards will explain the regulations that will affect your childcare business.
After you have reviewed the standards, request a license application. Once you have completed the steps to
open your childcare business, you'll
usually need to schedule inspections from your Department of Children and Family Services, your public health
department and local fire department.
Alabama
Alabama Department of Human Resources, Childcare Services Division
Alaska
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Office of Children's Services
Arizona
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Children, Youth and Families
Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services
California
California Department of Social Services, Children and Family Services
Colorado
Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth and Family Services
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Children and Families
Delaware
Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families
District of Columbia
D.C. Child and Family Services Agency
Florida
Florida Department of Children and Families
Georgia
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Family and Children Services
Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Human Services
Idaho
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Illinois
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Indiana
Indiana Department of Child Services
Iowa
Iowa Department of Human Services
Kansas
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Children and Families
Kentucky
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Louisiana
Louisiana Department of Children and Familyl Services
Maine
Maine Office of Child and Family Services
Maryland
Maryland Department of Human Resources
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Department of Children and Families
Michigan
Michigan Department of Community Services
Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children's Services
Missouri
Missouri Department of Social Services
Montana
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Child and Family Services Division
Nebraska
Nebraska Health and Human Services System, Division of Children and Family Services
Nevada
Nevada Department of Human Resources, Division of Child and Family Services
New Hampshire
Division of Children, Youth and Families
New Jersey
New Jersey Department of Children and Familes
New Mexico
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department
New York
Office of Children & Family Services
North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Human Services, Children and Family Services
Ohio
Ohio Office of Families and Children
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Department of Childcare Services
Oregon
Oregon Department of Human Services, Children, Adults and Families Division
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Childcare and Early Learning Division
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Department Children, Youth and Families
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Childcare licensing
Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Children's Services
Texas
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Utah
Utah Division of Child and Family Services
Vermont
Vermont Department for Children and Families
Virginia
Virginia Department of Social Services
Washington
Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Children's Administration Division
West Virginia
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
Wyoming
Wyoming Department of Family Services, Early Childhood Programs Division
