How to Get a Child care centers & homes License in South Dakota (2026)
Quick answer
Family day care in the provider's own home for 12 or fewer children has voluntary registration. Licensure is mandatory for care of 13 or more children, whether in a home or a separate facility.
Minimum age
Family day care providers must be at least 18.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The Department of Social Services Office of Licensing and Accreditation
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check your qualifications
Age
Family day care providers must be at least 18.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Providers must be at least 18 years of age
Official sourceEducation
Family day care: complete orientation within 90 days after employment and before caring for children without supervision.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
All providers shall, within ninety days after the date of employment, complete and obtain documentation of orientation Before a provider may care for children without supervision, the provider must complete orientation training in each of the areas listed in this section.
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
Family day care in the provider's own home for 12 or fewer children has voluntary registration. Licensure is mandatory for care of 13 or more children, whether in a home or a separate facility.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Registered Family Day Care – The care of 12 or fewer children in the provider’s own home. Registration is voluntary. By law, licensure is mandatory when care is provided to 13 or more children, regardless of the age of the children and regardless if care is in a home or separate facility.Official source
Agency guidance
Family day care providers counted in staff-child ratios need six annual training hours. CPR renewal does not count. Advanced training in the required orientation areas is due every five years.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation renewal may not be included in annual training. Each provider of family day care counted in staff-child ratios shall complete six hours of annual training. Every five years, all providers shall complete additional advanced training in each of the training areas listed in § 67:42:17:17.Official source
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Continuing education topics
Family day care orientation and ongoing safety training includes infectious-disease control, abuse/neglect reporting, pediatric first aid/CPR, and child development.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Prevention and control of infectious diseases; Recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect; Pediatric first aid; Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and Child development.Official source
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 (7)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation
South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation
The Department of Social Services Office of Licensing and AccreditationOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://dss.sd.gov/childcare/licensing/default.aspx
Child Care LicensingOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family day care providers must be at least 18.
Family day care providers must be at least 18.
Providers must be at least 18 years of ageOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family day care: complete orientation within 90 days after employment and before caring for children without supervision.
Family day care: complete orientation within 90 days after employment and before caring for children without supervision.
All providers shall, within ninety days after the date of employment, complete and obtain documentation of orientation Before a provider may care for children without supervision, the provider must complete orientation training in each of the areas listed in this section.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family day care in the provider's own home for 12 or fewer children has voluntary registration. Licensure is mandatory for care of 13 or more children, whether in a home or a separate facility.
Family day care in the provider's own home for 12 or fewer children has voluntary registration. Licensure is mandatory for care of 13 or more children, whether in a home or a separate facility.
Registered Family Day Care – The care of 12 or fewer children in the provider’s own home. Registration is voluntary. By law, licensure is mandatory when care is provided to 13 or more children, regardless of the age of the children and regardless if care is in a home or separate facility.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family day care providers counted in staff-child ratios need six annual training hours. CPR renewal does not count. Advanced training in the required orientation areas is due every five years.
Family day care providers counted in staff-child ratios need six annual training hours. CPR renewal does not count. Advanced training in the required orientation areas is due every five years.
Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation renewal may not be included in annual training. Each provider of family day care counted in staff-child ratios shall complete six hours of annual training. Every five years, all providers shall complete additional advanced training in each of the training areas listed in § 67:42:17:17.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Family day care orientation and ongoing safety training includes infectious-disease control, abuse/neglect reporting, pediatric first aid/CPR, and child development.
Family day care orientation and ongoing safety training includes infectious-disease control, abuse/neglect reporting, pediatric first aid/CPR, and child development.
Prevention and control of infectious diseases; Recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect; Pediatric first aid; Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and Child development.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, exam, renewal — see the official agency.
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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)
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