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

Quick answer

Iowa regulates licensed centers, registered Child Development Homes and Child Care Homes. Home providers caring for five or fewer children, or six or fewer with at least one school-aged child, are not required to register.

Renewal

Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.

View official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

How do I get this license?

  1. Check the licensing authority

    Board

    Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Health & Human Services
    Official source

    Official agency page

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Child Care
    Official source
  2. Check your qualifications

    Education

    First aid, CPR, mandatory child abuse reporter training and other required training.

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    All Child Care Providers must complete First Aid, CPR, Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training and other important trainings.
    Official source
  3. Prepare your application

    Apply with the agency

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Please use the Child Care Provider Portal by clicking either requirements or application & renewal for additional information.
    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

Iowa regulates licensed centers, registered Child Development Homes and Child Care Homes. Home providers caring for five or fewer children, or six or fewer with at least one school-aged child, are not required to register.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The three types of regulated child care in Iowa are ... Licensed Centers ... Child Development Homes, and ... Child Care Homes. ... People who provide childcare in their own homes are not required by Iowa Code 237A.3 to be registered if they provide care to: Five or fewer children ... Six or fewer children, if at least one of the children is school-aged
Official source

Agency guidance

Child Development Homes receive a pre-inspection and an unannounced annual inspection.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The Department must complete a pre-inspection and an unannounced annual inspection once per year.
Official source

When do I renew, and is CE required?

Renewal

Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. ... Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.
Official source

License term in years

2 years

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. ... Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.
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?

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

What are the common questions?

How often do I renew a family and center child care license in Iowa?

Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.

Source and quotation
Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. ... Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Which official sources support this guide?

Official sources and verification (8)

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

Qualifications / Education

First aid, CPR, mandatory child abuse reporter training and other required training.

First aid, CPR, mandatory child abuse reporter training and other required training.

All Child Care Providers must complete First Aid, CPR, Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training and other important trainings.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Iowa regulates licensed centers, registered Child Development Homes and Child Care Homes. Home providers caring for five or fewer children, or six or fewer with at least one school-aged child, are not required to register.

Iowa regulates licensed centers, registered Child Development Homes and Child Care Homes. Home providers caring for five or fewer children, or six or fewer with at least one school-aged child, are not required to register.

The three types of regulated child care in Iowa are ... Licensed Centers ... Child Development Homes, and ... Child Care Homes. ... People who provide childcare in their own homes are not required by Iowa Code 237A.3 to be registered if they provide care to: Five or fewer children ... Six or fewer children, if at least one of the children is school-aged
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Child Development Homes receive a pre-inspection and an unannounced annual inspection.

Child Development Homes receive a pre-inspection and an unannounced annual inspection.

The Department must complete a pre-inspection and an unannounced annual inspection once per year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Board

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Health & Human Services
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/child-care

Child Care
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/child-care

Please use the Child Care Provider Portal by clicking either requirements or application & renewal for additional information.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

License term in years

2 years

2

Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. ... Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal

Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.

Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years. Applies to: Licensed centers and registered Child Development Homes

Each child care license must be renewed every 2 years. ... Child Development Homes must reapply for registration every two years.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, exam, 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.

What’s my next step?

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (1)

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