How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in California (2026)
Quick answer
Centers are usually in commercial buildings; family child care homes are in the licensee's home. Care is nonmedical and limited to periods under 24 hours.
Experience
Large family home applicants need one year as a small family home licensee or as a teacher/director of a licensed child care center.
Minimum age
Family home licensee must be at least 18.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, Child Care Licensing Program
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Community Care Licensing Division Child Care Licensing Program
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The Child Care Licensing Program licenses both Child Care Centers (CCCs) and Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs) in California.
Official sourceCheck your qualifications
Age
Family home licensee must be at least 18.
Education
Family home applicants must attend an orientation.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
In order to obtain a family child care home license, interested individuals must attend an orientation.
Official sourceExperience
Large family home applicants need one year as a small family home licensee or as a teacher/director of a licensed child care center.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Large Family Child Care Home applicants must show proof of 1-year experience ... As a Small Family Child Care Home licensee, or ... As a teacher or director of a licensed Child Care Center
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Steps to Obtaining a Child Care Center License ... Steps to Obtaining a Family Child Care Home License
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Centers are usually in commercial buildings; family child care homes are in the licensee's home. Care is nonmedical and limited to periods under 24 hours.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Child Care Centers are usually located in a commercial building and Family Child Care Homes are in a licensee’s home. Only non-medical care and supervision can be provided in child care facilities and care is limited to periods of less than 24 hours.Official source
Agency guidance
Family home licensees must live in the home, obtain criminal record clearance, and have a TB test.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Must live in the home ... Must obtain a criminal record clearance ... Must have a TB testOfficial source
Agency guidance
A center-director pathway requires 12 core early-childhood education/development semester units, three units in administration or staff relations, and four years teaching in a supervised group center; the agency also lists degree/permit alternatives.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
12 core semester units early childhood education/development ... 3 semester units in Administration or Staff Relations ... 4 years teaching experience in a supervised group Child Care Center ... AlternativesOfficial source
Agency guidance
Licensed family homes must pay an annual licensing fee.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Licensed family child care homes are required to pay an annual licensing feeOfficial source
Agency guidance
Licensed centers must pay an annual licensing fee.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Licensed child care facilities are required to pay an annual licensing feeOfficial source
Agency guidance
Annual licensing fees can be paid through the CDSS fee page using the facility number and PIN on the bill.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
You may pay your annual fees here by Visa, MasterCard, or your debit card if it has a Visa or MasterCard logo. You will need your Facility Number and Pin from the upper right corner of your bill.Official source
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (12)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, Child Care Licensing Program
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, Child Care Licensing Program
Community Care Licensing Division Child Care Licensing ProgramOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/how-to-become-licensed
The Child Care Licensing Program licenses both Child Care Centers (CCCs) and Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs) in California.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/how-to-become-licensed
Steps to Obtaining a Child Care Center License ... Steps to Obtaining a Family Child Care Home LicenseOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family home licensee must be at least 18.
Family home licensee must be at least 18.
Must be at least 18 years of ageOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family home applicants must attend an orientation.
Family home applicants must attend an orientation.
In order to obtain a family child care home license, interested individuals must attend an orientation.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Large family home applicants need one year as a small family home licensee or as a teacher/director of a licensed child care center.
Large family home applicants need one year as a small family home licensee or as a teacher/director of a licensed child care center.
Large Family Child Care Home applicants must show proof of 1-year experience ... As a Small Family Child Care Home licensee, or ... As a teacher or director of a licensed Child Care CenterOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Centers are usually in commercial buildings; family child care homes are in the licensee's home. Care is nonmedical and limited to periods under 24 hours.
Centers are usually in commercial buildings; family child care homes are in the licensee's home. Care is nonmedical and limited to periods under 24 hours.
Child Care Centers are usually located in a commercial building and Family Child Care Homes are in a licensee’s home. Only non-medical care and supervision can be provided in child care facilities and care is limited to periods of less than 24 hours.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family home licensees must live in the home, obtain criminal record clearance, and have a TB test.
Family home licensees must live in the home, obtain criminal record clearance, and have a TB test.
Must live in the home ... Must obtain a criminal record clearance ... Must have a TB testOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
A center-director pathway requires 12 core early-childhood education/development semester units, three units in administration or staff relations, and four years teaching in a supervised group center; the agency also lists degree/permit alternatives.
A center-director pathway requires 12 core early-childhood education/development semester units, three units in administration or staff relations, and four years teaching in a supervised group center; the agency also lists degree/permit alternatives.
12 core semester units early childhood education/development ... 3 semester units in Administration or Staff Relations ... 4 years teaching experience in a supervised group Child Care Center ... AlternativesOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Licensed family homes must pay an annual licensing fee.
Licensed family homes must pay an annual licensing fee.
Licensed family child care homes are required to pay an annual licensing feeOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Licensed centers must pay an annual licensing fee.
Licensed centers must pay an annual licensing fee.
Licensed child care facilities are required to pay an annual licensing feeOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Annual licensing fees can be paid through the CDSS fee page using the facility number and PIN on the bill.
Annual licensing fees can be paid through the CDSS fee page using the facility number and PIN on the bill.
You may pay your annual fees here by Visa, MasterCard, or your debit card if it has a Visa or MasterCard logo. You will need your Facility Number and Pin from the upper right corner of your bill.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, exam, renewal, continuing education — see the official agency.
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What should I explore next?
Family and center child care in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (4)
- https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/how-to-become-licensed
- https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Provider%20Requirements%20FCCH.pdf?ver=2019-05-30-164218-403
- https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Child%20Care%20Center%20Provider%20Requirements%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf?ver=2019-05-30-165154-250
- https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care/licensing-fees
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.