North Dakota Child Care Centers and Homes License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

North Dakota Health and Human Services, Early Childhood

North Dakota Health and Human Services, Early Childhood

Early Childhood North Dakota Health and Human Services

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.hhs.nd.gov/cfs/early-childhood-services/providers/become-a-provider

Become a Childcare Provider

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.hhs.nd.gov/cfs/early-childhood-services/providers/become-a-provider

Apply online through the Child Care Licensing (CCL) portal.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Paid child care must be licensed when caring for more than five children total or more than three children under 24 months. Smaller programs may choose self-declared status.

Paid child care must be licensed when caring for more than five children total or more than three children under 24 months. Smaller programs may choose self-declared status.

A program must be licensed if they care for: More than 5 children total, or More than 3 children under 24 months old. A program can choose to become a self-declared provider if they care for: 5 or fewer children total, of which no more than 3 are under 24 months old.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensing type depends on location and number of children.

Licensing type depends on location and number of children.

Your location and number of children you want to care for determines the type of childcare license you will need.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Nonrefundable application fees: family USD 20; group USD 25; center USD 40. Government-operated public approval facilities are not charged licensing fees.

Nonrefundable application fees: family USD 20; group USD 25; center USD 40. Government-operated public approval facilities are not charged licensing fees.

an applicant for a license shall submit the following non-refundable fees with the application: Family = $20 Group = $25 Center = $40 Public approval facilities which are operated by governmental agencies such as college, universities, migrant schools, Head Start, or park districts will not be assessed a licensing fee.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family-license annual training is 9 hours; center/preschool/school-age supervisors and directors need 13 hours. Staff hours vary by weekly work schedule.

Family-license annual training is 9 hours; center/preschool/school-age supervisors and directors need 13 hours. Staff hours vary by weekly work schedule.

Family License Annual Training: 9 hours Preschool, Center, and School-Age Licenses Supervisor and Director Annual Training: 13 hours

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1 years

1

Application form (SFN 843) for one year license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

60 days before the expiration of a license: All required documentation must be received.

60 days prior to the expiration of a license: All required documentation must be received. Applies to: Licensed child care programs

60 days prior to the expiration of a license: All required documentation must be received.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Annual training includes one hour on safe sleep before caring for infants and one hour on mandated reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect. Current pediatric CPR/AED and first aid are also required and do not count toward annual hours.

Annual training includes one hour on safe sleep before caring for infants and one hour on mandated reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect. Current pediatric CPR/AED and first aid are also required and do not count toward annual hours.

1 hour on safe sleep prior to caring for infants. 1 hour on mandated reporter of suspected child abuse or neglect. Current pediatric CPR/AED and pediatric First Aid certification. Training does not count towards your annual training requirements.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026