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

Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY)

Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY)

the Ohio department of children and youth (DCY)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5180:2-12-02

Application and amendments for a child care center license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5180:2-12-02

Complete an initial application online in the Ohio statewide licensing system

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Child care centers and type A family homes require a DCY license unless a statutory exemption applies. DCY also licenses type B family homes.

Child care centers and type A family homes require a DCY license unless a statutory exemption applies. DCY also licenses type B family homes.

The director of children and youth is responsible for licensing child care centers, type A family child care homes, and type B family child care homes. No person, firm, organization, institution, or agency shall operate, establish, manage, conduct, or maintain a child care center or type A family child care home without a license

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Center initial applications cost USD 50 and require center prelicensing training completed within the preceding five years.

Center initial applications cost USD 50 and require center prelicensing training completed within the preceding five years.

The prelicensing training shall have been taken within the five years prior to application for a license. Complete an initial application online in the Ohio statewide licensing system and submit the fee of fifty dollars

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family-home applications cost USD 25 and require family prelicensing training completed within five years before application.

Family-home applications cost USD 25 and require family prelicensing training completed within five years before application.

The prelicensing training shall have been taken within the five years prior to application for a license. Complete an application online in the Ohio statewide licensing system and submit the fee of twenty-five dollars

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family provider/staff professional development: six clock hours each July 1–June 30 fiscal year, with timing and substitute exceptions in the rule; health trainings do not count.

Family provider/staff professional development: six clock hours each July 1–June 30 fiscal year, with timing and substitute exceptions in the rule; health trainings do not count.

Complete a minimum of six clock hours of training annually in any of the categories listed in appendix B to this rule each fiscal year. The fiscal year is defined as July first through June thirtieth. Health trainings taken pursuant to paragraph (A), (B), or (C) of this rule may not be used to meet the professional development training requirements.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family provider: at least 18.

Family provider: at least 18.

Be at least eighteen years old

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family provider: completed high school education; the rule qualifies this requirement for type-B homes certified or licensed after April 1, 2003.

Family provider: completed high school education; the rule qualifies this requirement for type-B homes certified or licensed after April 1, 2003.

for those type B certified or licensed after April 1, 2003, have completed a high school education.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Before family-home licensure: current first aid and CPR appropriate to children's ages/development, communicable-disease management, and an approved child abuse/neglect recognition and prevention training.

Before family-home licensure: current first aid and CPR appropriate to children's ages/development, communicable-disease management, and an approved child abuse/neglect recognition and prevention training.

Current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Training shall be appropriate for all of the ages and developmental levels of children in care. Current training in management of communicable disease. Current training in one of the following child abuse and neglect recognition and prevention trainings:

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The license must be a continuous license unless:

The license shall be a continuous license unless: Applies to: Family child care licenses; provisional status, unapproved relocation, type-A ownership changes, surrender and revocation are exceptions

The license shall be a continuous license unless: The family child care provider is in the provisional period The family child care provider moves to a new address and does not propose a change of location amendment The owner of the type A home program, which can be a corporation or partnership, changes. The family child care provider voluntarily surrenders the license It is revoked

Last verified Oct 25, 2026