Pennsylvania Child Care Centers and Homes License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)
Quick answer
Minimum age: Family-home operator: at least 18; Required hours: Family-home applicants complete department orientation within 12 months before certificate issuance; it does not count toward annual training; Education: Family-home operator: high school diploma or GED; submit proof no later than the second renewal application.
12 hours
Continuing education
A staff person shall obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training.Official source
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source
How to get a child care centers and homes license in Pennsylvania
Application steps: Not verified yet. See the official instructions.
What are the Pennsylvania child care centers and homes license requirements?
Minimum age
Family-home operator: at least 18.
The operator shall have the following qualifications: Be 18 years of age or older.Official source
Education
Family-home operator: high school diploma or GED; submit proof no later than the second renewal application.
Have a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and submit proof to the appropriate regional office of the Department no later than the submission of the second renewal application.Official source
Required hours
Family-home applicants complete department orientation within 12 months before certificate issuance; it does not count toward annual training.
shall participate in an orientation training provided by the Department within 12 months prior to issuance of a certificate of compliance. The orientation does not count toward the annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care trainingOfficial source
Insurance
Centers: comprehensive general liability insurance covering persons on the premises; keep a current policy at the facility.
The legal entity shall have comprehensive general liability insurance to cover the persons who are on the premises. A current copy of the insurance policy shall be on file at the facility.Official source
Licensing agency and application
Board
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)
Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), under the Department of Human Services (DHS)Official source
Apply with the agency
Apply for or Renew a Child Care Certification online with Provider Self Service (PSS)Official source
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 3 official sources
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Family homes need a certificate of compliance before caring for four, five or six unrelated children at a specific location.
An applicant shall obtain a valid certificate of compliance to operate a family child care home to care for four, five or six unrelated children at a specific location.Official source
Agency guidance
Center staff also require at least 12 clock hours of child care training annually.
A staff person shall obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training.Official source
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 2 official sources
How do I renew my child care centers and homes license in Pennsylvania?
Continuing education hours
12 hours
A staff person shall obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training.Official source
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source
View renewal deadlines, fees and CE
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
How do I look up a child care centers and homes license in Pennsylvania?
License lookup link: Not verified yet. Check the licensing agency or browse license lookup by state.
Which official sources support this guide?
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 3 official sources
Official sources and verification (10)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)
Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), under the Department of Human Services (DHS)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/early-learning-child-care/early-learning-main
Early LearningOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/early-learning-child-care/early-learning-main
Apply for or Renew a Child Care Certification online with Provider Self Service (PSS)Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family-home operator: at least 18.
Family-home operator: at least 18.
The operator shall have the following qualifications: Be 18 years of age or older.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family-home operator: high school diploma or GED; submit proof no later than the second renewal application.
Family-home operator: high school diploma or GED; submit proof no later than the second renewal application.
Have a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and submit proof to the appropriate regional office of the Department no later than the submission of the second renewal application.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family-home applicants complete department orientation within 12 months before certificate issuance; it does not count toward annual training.
Family-home applicants complete department orientation within 12 months before certificate issuance; it does not count toward annual training.
shall participate in an orientation training provided by the Department within 12 months prior to issuance of a certificate of compliance. The orientation does not count toward the annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care trainingOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Centers: comprehensive general liability insurance covering persons on the premises; keep a current policy at the facility.
Centers: comprehensive general liability insurance covering persons on the premises; keep a current policy at the facility.
The legal entity shall have comprehensive general liability insurance to cover the persons who are on the premises. A current copy of the insurance policy shall be on file at the facility.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family homes need a certificate of compliance before caring for four, five or six unrelated children at a specific location.
Family homes need a certificate of compliance before caring for four, five or six unrelated children at a specific location.
An applicant shall obtain a valid certificate of compliance to operate a family child care home to care for four, five or six unrelated children at a specific location.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Center staff also require at least 12 clock hours of child care training annually.
Center staff also require at least 12 clock hours of child care training annually.
A staff person shall obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
12 hours
12
A staff person shall obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, exam, renewal — 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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