How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in Massachusetts (2026)
Quick answer
Child care centers, family homes and large family homes require a department license. State and local government operations obtain approval instead.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
''Department'', the department of early education and care.
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
No person shall operate a school-aged child care program, a child care center, family child care home, large family child care home, placement agency, group care facility, or temporary shelter facility unless that person is licensed by the department.
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What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Child care centers, family homes and large family homes require a department license. State and local government operations obtain approval instead.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
No person shall operate a school-aged child care program, a child care center, family child care home, large family child care home, placement agency, group care facility, or temporary shelter facility unless that person is licensed by the department. ... A department, agency or institution of the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof shall obtain an approval rather than a licenseOfficial source
Agency guidance
Fingerprint-based background checks for family child care also cover household members and people regularly on the premises who are at least 15.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The fingerprint-based checks shall also be required for any household member, age 15 or older, or any person, age 15 or older, regularly on the premises of applicants for family child care licensureOfficial source
Agency guidance
Provisional licenses or approvals last no more than six months; operation under provisional approvals and renewals cannot exceed 12 consecutive months.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
A provisional license or approval shall be issued for a period of not more than 6 months, and a person shall not operate under a provisional license, provisional approval, or renewal thereof for more than 12 consecutive months.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 (5)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
''Department'', the department of early education and care.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter15D/Section6
No person shall operate a school-aged child care program, a child care center, family child care home, large family child care home, placement agency, group care facility, or temporary shelter facility unless that person is licensed by the department.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Child care centers, family homes and large family homes require a department license. State and local government operations obtain approval instead.
Child care centers, family homes and large family homes require a department license. State and local government operations obtain approval instead.
No person shall operate a school-aged child care program, a child care center, family child care home, large family child care home, placement agency, group care facility, or temporary shelter facility unless that person is licensed by the department. ... A department, agency or institution of the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof shall obtain an approval rather than a licenseOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Fingerprint-based background checks for family child care also cover household members and people regularly on the premises who are at least 15.
Fingerprint-based background checks for family child care also cover household members and people regularly on the premises who are at least 15.
The fingerprint-based checks shall also be required for any household member, age 15 or older, or any person, age 15 or older, regularly on the premises of applicants for family child care licensureOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Provisional licenses or approvals last no more than six months; operation under provisional approvals and renewals cannot exceed 12 consecutive months.
Provisional licenses or approvals last no more than six months; operation under provisional approvals and renewals cannot exceed 12 consecutive months.
A provisional license or approval shall be issued for a period of not more than 6 months, and a person shall not operate under a provisional license, provisional approval, or renewal thereof for more than 12 consecutive months.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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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 (3)
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