How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in North Carolina (2026)
Quick answer
The state definition covers regular care at least weekly for three or more children under 13, for more than four but less than 24 hours daily, away from their residence, by someone other than a guardian, full-time custodian or relative.
Required hours
Complete a one-day family-home prelicensing workshop; infant safe sleep training completed in the preceding 12 months is required when applying to care for infants 12 months or younger.
Minimum age
Family home applicants: at least 21.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE)
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check your qualifications
Age
Family home applicants: at least 21.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Applicants must be at least 21 years old
Official sourceEducation
Family home applicants: high school diploma or equivalent and the Chapter 9 pre-service requirements.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
have a high school diploma or its equivalent. You must also meet the pre-service requirements, as outlined in the Chapter 9 Child Care Rules.
Official sourceRequired hours
Complete a one-day family-home prelicensing workshop; infant safe sleep training completed in the preceding 12 months is required when applying to care for infants 12 months or younger.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Complete the required one-day Family Child Care Home Pre-Licensing Workshop. Provide proof of completion of the Infant Toddler Safe Sleep (ITS-SIDS) Training, if requesting a license to care for infants 12 months and younger. The training must have been completed within the last twelve months.
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Family Child Care Home Application Packet Application - Facility Profile
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
The state definition covers regular care at least weekly for three or more children under 13, for more than four but less than 24 hours daily, away from their residence, by someone other than a guardian, full-time custodian or relative.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Child Care in North Carolina is defined as a program or arrangement where three or more children less than 13-years-old, who do not reside where the care is provided, receive care on a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours, but less than 24 hours per day, from people other than their guardians or full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them by birth, marriage, or adoption.Official source
Agency guidance
The Annual License Fee does not apply to state or public-school operated child care facilities, or to religious sponsored facilities operated under a Notice of Compliance. Family Child Care Homes $52.00 Centers (capacity of 0-12) $52.00 Centers (capacity of 13-50) $187.00 Centers (capacity of 51-100) $375.00 Centers (capacity of 101+) $600.00
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The Annual License Fee does not apply to state or public-school operated child care facilities, or to religious sponsored facilities operated pursuant to a Notice of Compliance. Family Child Care Homes $52.00 Centers (capacity of 0-12) $52.00 Centers (capacity of 13-50) $187.00 Centers (capacity of 51-100) $375.00 Centers (capacity of 101+) $600.00Official source
Agency guidance
The agency's 2026 invoice deadline is December 2, 2026; this is the published deadline for that year's annual fee.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
This fee applies to the current calendar year (January - December 2026). Payments must be submitted ONLINE ONLY no later than December 2, 2026.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 (9)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New/getting-a-license
Getting a LicenseOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New/getting-a-license
Family Child Care Home Application Packet Application - Facility ProfileOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
The state definition covers regular care at least weekly for three or more children under 13, for more than four but less than 24 hours daily, away from their residence, by someone other than a guardian, full-time custodian or relative.
The state definition covers regular care at least weekly for three or more children under 13, for more than four but less than 24 hours daily, away from their residence, by someone other than a guardian, full-time custodian or relative.
Child Care in North Carolina is defined as a program or arrangement where three or more children less than 13-years-old, who do not reside where the care is provided, receive care on a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours, but less than 24 hours per day, from people other than their guardians or full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them by birth, marriage, or adoption.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
The Annual License Fee does not apply to state or public-school operated child care facilities, or to religious sponsored facilities operated under a Notice of Compliance. Family Child Care Homes $52.00 Centers (capacity of 0-12) $52.00 Centers (capacity of 13-50) $187.00 Centers (capacity of 51-100) $375.00 Centers (capacity of 101+) $600.00
2026 annual license fees: family homes and centers with capacity 0–12, USD 52; centers 13–50, USD 187; centers 51–100, USD 375; centers 101 or more, USD 600. State/public-school facilities and religious facilities operating under a Notice of Compliance are exempt.
The Annual License Fee does not apply to state or public-school operated child care facilities, or to religious sponsored facilities operated pursuant to a Notice of Compliance. Family Child Care Homes $52.00 Centers (capacity of 0-12) $52.00 Centers (capacity of 13-50) $187.00 Centers (capacity of 51-100) $375.00 Centers (capacity of 101+) $600.00Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
The agency's 2026 invoice deadline is December 2, 2026; this is the published deadline for that year's annual fee.
The agency's 2026 invoice deadline is December 2, 2026; this is the published deadline for that year's annual fee.
This fee applies to the current calendar year (January - December 2026). Payments must be submitted ONLINE ONLY no later than December 2, 2026.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family home applicants: at least 21.
Family home applicants: at least 21.
Applicants must be at least 21 years oldOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family home applicants: high school diploma or equivalent and the Chapter 9 pre-service requirements.
Family home applicants: high school diploma or equivalent and the Chapter 9 pre-service requirements.
have a high school diploma or its equivalent. You must also meet the pre-service requirements, as outlined in the Chapter 9 Child Care Rules.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Complete a one-day family-home prelicensing workshop; infant safe sleep training completed in the preceding 12 months is required when applying to care for infants 12 months or younger.
Complete a one-day family-home prelicensing workshop; infant safe sleep training completed in the preceding 12 months is required when applying to care for infants 12 months or younger.
Complete the required one-day Family Child Care Home Pre-Licensing Workshop. Provide proof of completion of the Infant Toddler Safe Sleep (ITS-SIDS) Training, if requesting a license to care for infants 12 months and younger. The training must have been completed within the last twelve months.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, exam, renewal, continuing education — see the official agency.
How do you want reminders?
Choose a free reminder channel for the dates you follow.
Following: How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in North Carolina (2026)
Calendar (recommended)
Add to my calendar
Subscribe for updates as deadlines change. Alerts are included for 9:00 AM Central, 14, 3 and 1 day before. Your calendar app controls refresh speed and may require you to enable alerts for this calendar. The .ics download is a one-time copy.
No open, fixed deadline is recorded for this topic. This feed stays empty until one is listed.
This device (push)
Free notifications for How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in North Carolina (2026). Uses the same reminder dates as the calendar, with quiet hours from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM in your device’s time zone.
On iPhone or iPad (iOS 16.4 or later): open this page in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen. Open LicenseCalendar from that icon, return to this topic, and tap Get alerts on this device.
Choose filing or expiration details for email reminders. Confirm by email; unsubscribe in one click.
Text messages: coming soon
Join the waitlist with your email. Planned pricing: $2.99/month or $24/year for LicenseCalendar; $4.99/month for all Calendar sites. Plain alerts, no ads.
Email interest only. No phone number, payment or text messages. Privacy policy
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 (3)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.