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

Quick answer

Center directors and child care staff must also complete 15 clock hours of in-service training annually.

License fee

Licenses are free, however there are expenses associated with medicals and vaccinations

View official source

Required hours

Day care home applicants: 15 hours of preservice training.

View official source

Continuing education

15 hours

View official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

How do I get this license?

  1. Check the licensing authority

    Board

    Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
    Official source

    Official agency page

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    An Overview of the Licensing Process
    Official source
  2. Check your qualifications

    Required hours

    Day care home applicants: 15 hours of preservice training.

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Proof of at least 15 hours of required pre-service training on specific topics
    Official source

    Education

    Home-based applicants must submit proof of a high school diploma, GED or another degree from an accredited university or vocational school.

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Proof of high school diploma, GED, or other degree from an accredited university or vocational school
    Official source
  3. Prepare your application

    Apply with the agency

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    to request an initial application packet.
    Official source
  4. Confirm 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

Center directors and child care staff must also complete 15 clock hours of in-service training annually.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The director and each child care staff member shall participate in 15 clock hours of in-service training per year.
Official source

Agency guidance

Home and group-home licenses require an actual family residence; other locations need a center license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Day Care home and group day care home licenses are only issued in the family home of the individual(s) applying. ... If you wish to use space away from where you and your family live, you must seek licensure as a day care center.
Official source

Agency guidance

Once approved, Centers are issued a 6-month permit

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Once approved, Centers are issued a 6-month permit
Official source

When do I renew, and is CE required?

Continuing education hours

15 hours

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The caregivers shall complete 15 clock hours of in-service training per licensing year in accordance with the requirements in Appendix D.
Official source

Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.

What does it cost?

License fee

Licenses are free, however there are expenses associated with medicals and vaccinations

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Licenses are free, however there are expenses associated with medicals and vaccinations
Official source

Bonds and insurance

Insurance

Group day care home applicants must submit proof of liability insurance.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Proof of liability insurance (group day care homes only)
Official source

Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.

What are the common questions?

What is the family and center child care license fee in Illinois?

Licenses are free, however there are expenses associated with medicals and vaccinations

Source and quotation
Licenses are free, however there are expenses associated with medicals and vaccinations
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Which official sources support this guide?

Official sources and verification (11)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.

Qualifications / Required hours

Day care home applicants: 15 hours of preservice training.

Day care home applicants: 15 hours of preservice training.

Proof of at least 15 hours of required pre-service training on specific topics
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Education

Home-based applicants must submit proof of a high school diploma, GED or another degree from an accredited university or vocational school.

Home-based applicants must submit proof of a high school diploma, GED or another degree from an accredited university or vocational school.

Proof of high school diploma, GED, or other degree from an accredited university or vocational school
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Insurance

Group day care home applicants must submit proof of liability insurance.

Group day care home applicants must submit proof of liability insurance.

Proof of liability insurance (group day care homes only)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Fees / License

Licenses are free, however there are expenses associated with medicals and vaccinations

0

Licenses are free, however there are expenses associated with medicals and vaccinations
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Center directors and child care staff must also complete 15 clock hours of in-service training annually.

Center directors and child care staff must also complete 15 clock hours of in-service training annually.

The director and each child care staff member shall participate in 15 clock hours of in-service training per year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Home and group-home licenses require an actual family residence; other locations need a center license.

Home and group-home licenses require an actual family residence; other locations need a center license.

Day Care home and group day care home licenses are only issued in the family home of the individual(s) applying. ... If you wish to use space away from where you and your family live, you must seek licensure as a day care center.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Once approved, Centers are issued a 6-month permit

Center applicants first receive a six-month permit.

Once approved, Centers are issued a 6-month permit
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Board

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/Content/Licensing/BecomeLicensed.aspx

An Overview of the Licensing Process
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/Content/Licensing/BecomeLicensed.aspx

to request an initial application packet.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Continuing education hours

15 hours

15

The caregivers shall complete 15 clock hours of in-service training per licensing year in accordance with the requirements in Appendix D.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: exam, renewal — see the official agency.

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Following: How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in Illinois (2026)

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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.

What’s my next step?

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (3)

Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.