Become a Child Care Provider
Becoming a licensed provider (family child care home or center) can mean greater business development, access to more referrals, the ability to participate in more professional trainings, eligibility for reimbursements like the Child Care Food Program, and potentially the ability to increase your income. We are here to guide you through the entire licensing process.
How to Become a Licensed Child Care Provider in California
1. Download & complete the licensing application for Child Care Providers
*Download and have a copy of the licensing application (LIC 279) and instructions (LIC 279A), and related forms (linked in document), prior to attending an orientation.
- The licensing orientation will help you better understand all your forms and will answer many of the licensing questions you may have.
- Contact us or your local R&R office for any assistance with your application or for a physical copy of a licensing application and all relevant documents.
2. Complete the Required Licensing Orientation
There are three options to complete the licensing orientation.
- The orientation fee is $25, plus a processing fee of $2.43.
- This course is self-paced and you have 30 days to complete the orientation since the day of registration.
- Cleck here to register.
- The orientation fee is $25. This fee is non-refundable and non-tranferable.
- Payments may be made by personal checks, cashier's check, or money order payable to CDSS-CASHIER.
- Payments should be mailed or delivered to your local Regional Office. It must be received by your local regional office at least 1 week prior to the date of the orientation.
- For Lake & Mendocino, the local regional office is the Santa Rosa Child Care Unit.
- For a schedule of upcoming Live Orientations, visit the Live Virtual Orientation Schedule.
- Click here to register.
- The orientation fee is $25. This fee is non-refundable and non-tranferable.
- Payments may be made by personal checks, cashier's check, or money order payable to CDSS-CASHIER.
- Payments should be mailed or delivered to your local Regional Office. It must be received by your local regional office at least 1 week prior to the date of the orientation.
- For all regional offices, schedules, and contact information, click here.
- For Santa Rosa In-person orientation information, click here.
3. Complete the certifications required for your licensing application
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results for all adults (over 18) living in the household
- Proof of completion of 16 hours of Preventative Health Practices training, including EMSA-approved Pediatric CPR/First Aid Course (8 hours) and Preventative Health & Safety and Nutrition (8 hours)
- Certificate of completed online Mandated Child Abuse Reporting training (Child Care Providers Course). This free training can be found here: Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training
- Proof of immunizations (measles, pertussis, influenza)
- Staff may opt out of the influenza immunization with a signed declaration that he or she has declined the influenza vaccine.
- You may NOT opt out of the measles or pertussis immunization unless there is proof of a medical exception via a not from a licensed physician.
4. Mail in Completed Application Forms
The application packet must include:
- All forms listed/linked in the application instructions including certifications, immunizations, and supporting documents (view below for supporting documents)
- Check or money order for the licensing fee of $73 for small family child care home (1596.803)
5. Receive your Facility Number
- Once your application has been accepted, you will be provided with a facility number
- At that point, all adults over the age of 18 living in the household must be fingerprinted
- Click here to find a Livescan location. Provide & complete a Livescan form with your facility number at the Livescan location
- New Request For Live Scan Service
- Processing fees will apply depending on the Livescan location
- Transfer Request of Previous Criminal Background Clearance
- Mail to Regional Licensing Office
- New Request For Live Scan Service
6. Schedule a Home Inspection
- When all fingerprinting and criminal background checks have cleared, Community Care Licensing will call you to schedule an inspection of your home.
- Pre-home inspections are available by your local R&R office.
- Once Community Care Licensing confirms successful inspection of your home, you may open your family child care business.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtain Your Child Care License
Supporting Documents
The following forms may be found in the application form (LIC 279A), The License Application and Instructions For Family Child Care Forms.
However, you may view and download them by clicking each form below:
- LIC 279 - Application for a Family Child Care Home License
- LIC 279B - Current Children In Your Home
- LIC 508 - Criminal Record Statement
- LIC 610A - Emergency Care & Disaster Plan
- LIC 9108 - Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Suspected Child Abuse
- LIC 999A - Family Sketch of Floor Plan & Yard
- LIC 9217 - Pre-Licensing Readiness Guide
- Only if you currently rent your home:
Addidional Resources
NCO RCCC Guide/Information to obtain your child care license.
Fact Sheets:
Family Child Care Home Provider Requirements - English Form/Spanish Form
Family Child Care Home Capacity Requirements - English Form/Spanish Form
Video Resources
Is Family Child Care the right business for me?
Click on the button below to see more great video resources for providers including How to Apply for a Family Child Care License.
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