How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in Alabama (2026)

Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Care Services Division, Office of Child Care Licensing

Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Care Services Division, Office of Child Care Licensing

The Child Care Services Division, Office of Child Care Licensing is responsible for the following functions:

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dhr.alabama.gov/child-care/licensing-overview/

Licensing day care/nighttime centers and homes.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family/group home licensee: at least 18.

Family/group home licensee: at least 18.

The licensee shall be at least 18 years of age.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Initial home-license applicants need a high school diploma or GED; homes licensed before January 22, 2001 are exempt while their license remains current.

Initial home-license applicants need a high school diploma or GED; homes licensed before January 22, 2001 are exempt while their license remains current.

Applicants for an initial license shall have a high school diploma or G. E. D. (general education diploma). Homes licensed before January 22, 2001 are exempt from this requirement as long as the license remains current.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Home applicants: at least 24 clock hours in child care and development before initial licensing; CPR and first aid do not count toward training hours.

Home applicants: at least 24 clock hours in child care and development before initial licensing; CPR and first aid do not count toward training hours.

Prior to initial licensing, the applicant/licensee shall have at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of training in child care and development through participation in workshops, meetings, recorded/printed materials or one to one consultation. Training in CPR and First Aid shall not be counted towards required training hours.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

At least thirty (30) calendar days before the expiration date of the current license

at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the expiration date of the current license Applies to: Application to renew a child care center license

Application for renewal of a license to continue operating a child care center shall be made to the Department at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the expiration date of the current license, and shall be on the required form(s).

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Centers operate as licensed or license exempt. Centers requiring a license are licensed by DHR and renewed every two years.

Centers operate as licensed or license exempt. Centers requiring a license are licensed by DHR and renewed every two years.

Child day care centers in Alabama legally operate in one of two ways: Licensed or license exempt. All centers that require a license must be licensed by the Department of Human Resources and renewed every two years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center directors must be at least 19 and complete at least 20 hours in administration/management and four hours in quality child care, plus one of the education/experience pathways in Section F.1.a.

Center directors must be at least 19 and complete at least 20 hours in administration/management and four hours in quality child care, plus one of the education/experience pathways in Section F.1.a.

The center director shall be at least 19 years of age and shall have at least twenty (20) clock hours of training in administration and management and at least four (4) clock hours of training in quality child care. In addition, the center director shall meet at least one (1) of the following training categories:

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center-director pathway: a bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education plus at least six months working as a child care worker/teacher or director/program director in a licensed center or Department-approved setting.

Center-director pathway: a bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education plus at least six months working as a child care worker/teacher or director/program director in a licensed center or Department-approved setting.

A bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education and at least six (6) months of working experience as a child care worker/teacher or as a director/program director in a licensed day care center or a Department approved setting.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center annual training: directors at least 24 hours; child care workers/teachers at least 12 hours.

Center annual training: directors at least 24 hours; child care workers/teachers at least 12 hours.

Directors shall obtain at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of training each year. Child care workers/teachers shall obtain at least twelve (12) clock hours of training each year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Home licensees need at least 20 hours of child-care training each year covering child development; health, safety and universal precautions; quality child care and licensing; the professional and family; language development; positive discipline and guidance.

Home licensees need at least 20 hours of child-care training each year covering child development; health, safety and universal precautions; quality child care and licensing; the professional and family; language development; positive discipline and guidance.

Thereafter, the licensee shall have at least twenty (20) clock hours of training related to child care each year. Documentation of training shall be on file in the home. Child care training shall include the following areas: (1) child development; (2) health, safety and universal precautions; (3) quality child care and licensing; (4) the child care professional and the family; (5) language development; (6) positive discipline and guidance.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Home licensees also need one hour of preservice training in each of eleven specified health and safety topics, and one hour per topic annually thereafter.

Home licensees also need one hour of preservice training in each of eleven specified health and safety topics, and one hour per topic annually thereafter.

The applicant/licensee shall have at least one (1) hour of preservice training from an outside source in each of the following eleven (11) required topic areas: ... Thereafter, the licensee shall have at least one (1) hour of annual training from an outside source in each of the following eleven (11) required topic areas:

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Home applicants must submit current pediatric CPR and first-aid certification before initial licensing.

Home applicants must submit current pediatric CPR and first-aid certification before initial licensing.

Prior to initial licensing, the applicant/licensee shall submit to the Department a current Infant-Child (Pediatric) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) and a current First Aid Certificate.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026