Loading...
Loading...
Childcare / Daycare
Childcare licensing is state-regulated, with each state setting its own requirements for training, staff-to-child ratios, background checks, and facility standards. Compare requirements across all 50 states to understand what it takes to become a licensed childcare provider.
51
Total States
51
License Required
51
Fingerprinting Req
$54
Avg Initial Fees
Childcare licensing ensures the health, safety, and well-being of children in care settings. Here are the three key areas every prospective childcare provider needs to understand.
All states require pre-service training before you can care for children, ranging from 6 to 90+ hours. Ongoing annual training (continuing education) is mandatory, typically 10-24 hours per year. CPR and First Aid certification is universally required. Many states also require or recommend a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Comprehensive background checks are federally mandated under the CCDBG Act. All childcare staff must pass state and federal criminal history checks (via fingerprinting), child abuse and neglect registry checks, and sex offender registry checks. Facilities must also meet strict health, safety, and fire code standards.
Staff-to-child ratios ensure adequate supervision and vary by age group and state. Infant ratios (typically 1:3 to 1:5) are the strictest, while school-age ratios can be 1:15 to 1:25. Directors must meet education and experience qualifications that vary significantly by state.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | License Req | Pre-Service Training | Infant Ratio | Initial Fees | Renewal | Fingerprinting | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | 12 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:5 | $125-$150 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | 18 hours | 1:5 | $22-$67 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | 10 hours | 1:3 | $55-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | 15 hours (Title 22) | 1:4 | $49-$72 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Yes | 15 hours | 1:5 | $74 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | 12 hours | 1:4 | $100 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | 15 hours | 1:4 | $110-$140 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | 30 hours | 1:4 | $100-$125 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | 40-hour introductory course | 1:4 | $45-$65 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | 25 hours | 1:6 | $45-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:4 | $55-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Yes | 12 hours | 1:6 | $30-$50 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | 6 hours (DCFS-approved orientation) | 1:4 | $80-$110 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | 10 hours | 1:4 | $35-$50 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Yes | 8 hours | 1:3 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | 6 hours | 1:5 | $20-$40 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | 18 hours | 1:5 | $89-$120 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Yes | 30 hours | 1:4 | $75-$100 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | 90 clock hours (center staff) | 1:3 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:3 | $25-$50 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Yes | 16 hours | 1:4 | $55-$89 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | 16 hours | 1:4 | $30-$50 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Yes | 15 hours | 1:5 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Yes | 12 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | 16 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Yes | 12 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | 12 hours | 1:4 | $50-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Yes | 18 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | 18 hours | 1:4 | $60-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Yes | 45 hours | 1:6 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | 15 hours | 1:4 | $25-$100 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:5 | $25-$50 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Yes | 12 hours | 1:4 | $25-$50 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | 6 hours (orientation) | 1:5 | $47-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | 6 hours | 1:4 | $47-$70 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | 30 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | 15 hours | 1:5 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Yes | 10 hours | 1:5 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | 18 hours | 1:4 | $85-$105 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | 24 hours pre-service | 1:4 | $37-$85 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Yes | 15 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | 16 hours | 1:4 | $50-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | 20 hours (STARS) | 1:4 | $58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | 20 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | 25 hours | 1:4 | $75-$100 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Yes | 15 hours | 1:4 | $50-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
Childcare providers may also be interested in related professional licenses and certifications. Explore more options.
Training materials and study guides for childcare licensing and CDA credential preparation.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
State-by-state training requirements, background check procedures, staff-to-child ratios, fee breakdowns, and quality rating systems — delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.