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How to get a childcare license in Washington. Pre-service training: 20 hours (STARS). Infant ratio: 1:4. Initial fees: $58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Childcare Provider — CC
Governing Authority
Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Child Care Licensing
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
78% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
20 hours (STARS)
Pre-Service Training
1:4
Infant Ratio
Required
Fingerprinting
Annual
Renewal Period
$58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity
Initial Fees
Washington childcare license types and capacity limits
VerifiedLicense Types
Family Home Capacity
Up to 12 children
Center-Based Capacity
13 or more children
Exemptions from Licensing
Relatives; care for fewer than 13 children from only 1 unrelated family; certain tribal programs
All states require licensing for childcare centers and most require licensing or registration for family childcare homes above certain capacity thresholds. Exemptions typically apply to relatives, small-scale care arrangements, and certain religious programs. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.
Pre-service, annual training, and certifications
VerifiedPre-Service Training
20 hours (STARS)
Annual Training Hours
10 hours (STARS)
CPR / First Aid
Required
Health & Safety Training
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required prior to or within 90 days of employment; must be maintained current
CDA / Education Requirements
ECE State Certificate or higher for directors; staff need DCYF-approved training through MERIT
Training requirements vary by state and license type. Pre-service training must typically be completed before a provider begins caring for children. Annual training (continuing education) must be maintained throughout licensure. CPR and First Aid certification (pediatric) is universally required. The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is nationally recognized and accepted in all states.
Required background checks for childcare providers and staff
VerifiedState Criminal Check
Required
Federal Criminal Check (FBI)
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Child Abuse Registry
Required
Sex Offender Registry
Required
Details
Washington requires comprehensive background checks for all childcare providers, staff, and household members (for home-based care). This includes state and federal criminal history checks via fingerprinting, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and sex offender registry checks. Results must be obtained before unsupervised contact with children.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act requires all states to conduct comprehensive background checks on childcare providers. This includes FBI fingerprint checks, state criminal history checks, national and state sex offender registry checks, and child abuse and neglect registry checks. Background checks must be completed before a provider has unsupervised access to children.
Required staff-to-child ratios by age group
Verified1:4
Infant (0-12 mo)
1:7
Toddler (12-24 mo)
1:10
Preschool (3-5 yr)
1:15
School-Age (6+ yr)
Minimum Staff Age
18 years
Director Qualifications
ECE State Certificate or higher; 2+ years of experience; School-Age credential for school-age programs
Staff-to-child ratios represent the maximum number of children that can be supervised by one qualified adult. Lower ratios (e.g., 1:3) indicate more intensive supervision. Ratios are typically stricter for younger children. These ratios apply to child care centers; family child care homes may have different overall capacity limits.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Family Home License Fee Washington family child care home initial license fee | $30 |
Center License Fee Washington child care center initial license fee (varies by capacity) | $125-$300 |
Background Check Fee Per-person fingerprinting and background check fee | $28-$50 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies significantly by license type, capacity, and number of staff requiring background checks | $58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity |
Renewal Requirements & Continuing Education
VerifiedAnnual
Renewal Period
10 hours (STARS)
Annual CE Hours
Required
Inspection at Renewal
Renewal Fee
$30-$150
Washington license renewal fee range (varies by license type and capacity)
Childcare licenses must be renewed on the schedule set by your state. Renewal typically requires completion of continuing education hours, updated background checks for new staff, maintained CPR/First Aid certifications, and passing a renewal inspection. Failure to renew on time may result in license lapse and inability to operate legally.
Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families was created in 2018 to consolidate child welfare and early learning. The state's QRIS is called 'Early Achievers.' Family home child care providers can care for up to 12 children — one of the more generous limits.
All childcare providers in Washington must comply with state licensing requirements administered by Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Child Care Licensing.
All states participate in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), a federal block grant that helps low-income families access childcare.
NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation is voluntary and recognized nationally as a mark of high quality.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is nationally recognized and accepted in all states for qualified childcare positions.
Washington requires 20 hours (STARS) of pre-service training before providers can begin caring for children.
Background checks including child abuse registry checks, sex offender registry checks, and criminal history checks are required for all childcare staff.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Washington.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#2 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Childcare Workers (SOC 39-9011)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$36,740
+21% vs. national avg ($30,370)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Childcare Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+6%
High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Child Care Licensing
Estimated total: 6–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Child Care Licensing
6–16 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Child Care Licensing
Training materials and study guides for childcare licensing and CDA credential preparation.
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Accessed 2026-03-21
Washington requires 20 hours (STARS) of initial training and maintains staff-to-child ratios of 1:4 for infants. Fingerprinting and comprehensive background checks are required for all providers. Licensing is managed through the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Child Care Licensing.
Requirements vary by license type and facility size. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.