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

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF); county or Tribal agencies handle family child care licensing activities

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF); county or Tribal agencies handle family child care licensing activities

In Minnesota, counties have delegated responsibility for most licensing activities for family child care programs ... The state issues licenses based on county recommendations ... Family child care providers may also be licensed directly by their Tribal Nation.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/licensing/family-child-care-licensing

Family Child Care Licensing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/licensing/child-care-centers/apply-child-care-center-license

Apply for a child care center license

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family providers must complete the county or Tribal orientation process.

Family providers must complete the county or Tribal orientation process.

Complete your county/Tribal orientation process.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family child care: child development/learning or behavior guidance; active supervision; periodic health and safety, pediatric CPR and first aid, and applicable infant death/head trauma and transportation training.

Family child care: child development/learning or behavior guidance; active supervision; periodic health and safety, pediatric CPR and first aid, and applicable infant death/head trauma and transportation training.

Child Development and Learning or Behavior Guidance is required each licensing year. ... Active Supervision ... Health and Safety I ... Health and Safety II ... Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) training and Abusive head trauma (AHT) training ... Pediatric CPR ... Pediatric first aid ... Basic Education for Safe Travel

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Centers require a state license unless a statutory exemption applies.

Centers require a state license unless a statutory exemption applies.

In Minnesota, a child care provider is required by state law to obtain a license to operate a child care center unless the provider meets an exemption in state law.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family applicants begin with their county or Tribal licensing agency and submit the application and workers' compensation materials to the county licensor.

Family applicants begin with their county or Tribal licensing agency and submit the application and workers' compensation materials to the county licensor.

Contact your county or Tribal child care licensing agency. ... Send your application and Workers' Compensation materials to county licensor.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family providers must complete 16 training hours each calendar year.

Family providers must complete 16 training hours each calendar year.

Sixteen hours annually must be completed. Effective January 1, 2025, “annual” or “annually” means each calendar year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family providers need two hours of active supervision training annually, health and safety I and II every five years, and pediatric CPR and first aid every two years.

Family providers need two hours of active supervision training annually, health and safety I and II every five years, and pediatric CPR and first aid every two years.

Active Supervision (also known as Supervising for Safety) is required by completing a two-hour course annually. ... Health and Safety I (KCF VII.A and KCF VII.B) must be completed once every five years. ... Health and Safety II (KCF VII.A and KCF VII.B) must be completed once every five years. ... Pediatric CPR (KCF VII.B) every two years ... Pediatric first aid (KCF VII.B) every two years

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center locations must pass zoning, health, fire and building inspections.

Center locations must pass zoning, health, fire and building inspections.

The facility will also need to pass inspections by other agencies, such as zoning, health, fire and building inspections.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Before center licensure, all controlling individuals need a background study resulting in clearance.

Before center licensure, all controlling individuals need a background study resulting in clearance.

Before a child care center license is granted by the Department Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), all controlling individuals will need to complete the process of submitting a Department of Human Services background study request, and each background study must result in the issuance of a clearance notice.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026