How Much Does a Home Daycare License Cost in California?
Getting a home daycare license in California costs between $300 and $600 for most people. That covers the state fees, fingerprints for every adult in your home, and the small safety fixes your home will need before it passes the inspection. The 16-hour class is free.
This article breaks down every cost, line by line. We cover what the state charges, what the city charges, and the home fixes that surprise most people. No vague ranges — just real numbers.
Quick answer
Most people spend $300 to $600 total to get a California home daycare license. The state application fee is $73 (small license) or $140 (large license). Fingerprints run $70 to $100 per adult in your home. The 16-hour class is free. Plan extra for home safety fixes and your city's business license.
The State Application Fee
The California state application fee is set by law. It does not change from county to county.
- Small Family Day Care Home: $73
- Large Family Day Care Home: $140
You pay this once when you send your application. Make the check out to California Department of Social Services. Do not send cash.
This fee is not refundable. If you withdraw your application after sending it, you do not get the money back.
The renewal fee each year is the same amount — $73 or $140, depending on your license type. If you renew late, there is an additional late fee: $36 (small) or $70 (large).
Not sure which license type is right for you? Read Small vs. Large Home Daycare License in California first.
Fingerprints — The Cost Most People Underestimate
This is the number that surprises most people. Fingerprints are not a one-time cost for just you. Every adult who lives in your home must get fingerprinted.
That means your spouse. Your partner. An adult child. A parent who lives with you. A roommate. Everyone 18 and older.
What fingerprints cost
The cost has two parts:
Government fees — paid to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI:
- DOJ fee: $32
- FBI fee: $17
- Subtotal: $49 per person
Rolling fee — paid to the fingerprint location itself for their service:
- Usually $20 to $50
- Varies by location
Total per person: $70 to $100
These fees are non-refundable. Even if your application is later denied or you change your mind, you do not get them back.
Budget by household size
| Adults in your home | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | $70 | $100 |
| 2 adults | $140 | $200 |
| 3 adults | $210 | $300 |
| 4 adults | $280 | $400 |
If you have two adults in your home, budget at least $140 for fingerprints — not $70.
Where to go
You go to a LiveScan location in person. You cannot do this by mail or online. Each person has to go themselves.
LiveScan locations include police stations, some UPS Stores, notary offices, and some libraries. Search "LiveScan near me" to find the closest one. Call before you go — many are appointment-only.
The 16-Hour Class — Free
California requires every new home daycare provider to take a 16-hour class before they can apply. This class covers safety, nutrition, business basics, and what to expect at your home inspection.
The class is free. You do not pay anything to attend.
But spots fill up fast. Some Regional Offices have wait lists of two to four months. Sign up as soon as you decide to get your license — even if your paperwork is not ready yet.
Your class is held by your local CDSS Regional Office. California has 21 of them. Your home address determines which one you call. To find yours, go to cdss.ca.gov.
For more on how the class works and when to sign up, see How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Daycare License in California.
Your City's Business License
The state license and the city license are two different things. The state does not tell your city. Your city does not know about your state license. You have to take care of both.
Almost every California city requires a business license for any home business — including a home daycare.
Cost: Usually $25 to $75 per year. In some cities, it is a little more.
Some cities also require a separate home occupation permit. This is less common, but it does happen. Call your city's business license office and ask: "What do I need to run a licensed home daycare at my home address?"
Get their answer in writing or print the page from their website.
Home Safety Fixes — The Budget Item Nobody Plans For
Most homes need a handful of small fixes before they pass the state safety inspection. The state worker checks every room. They look for things that could hurt children.
The good news: most of these fixes cost very little. The annoying news: there are usually five to ten of them.
Common fixes and what they cost
| Fix | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Fire extinguisher (type 2A:10BC) | $30–$60 |
| Water heater earthquake straps (2 straps) | $15–$30 |
| Outlet safety covers (per outlet) | $1–$3 |
| Cabinet child-safety latches (per latch) | $3–$8 |
| Smoke alarm (if you need a new one) | $15–$30 |
| Carbon monoxide alarm | $20–$40 |
| Stair gate (if you have stairs and will care for kids under 5) | $30–$60 |
| Furniture anchor straps (to wall-mount heavy shelves) | $15–$25 |
| Toilet lid locks | $10–$20 |
A typical home needs three to eight of these items. Budget $50 to $200 for home fixes.
The most common reason people fail the home inspection: The water heater is not strapped to the wall with two metal straps. This fix costs $15 to $30 and takes 30 minutes. Do it before you schedule your inspection.
For a full room-by-room list of what the inspector looks for, see the California Home Daycare Inspection Checklist.
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Liability Insurance — Optional but Smart
Some Regional Offices require proof of liability insurance when you apply. Others do not. Either way, it is worth having.
Liability insurance protects you if a child is hurt in your care. Without it, you pay out of pocket.
Cost: Roughly $300 to $800 per year for a home daycare policy. Start by calling your existing homeowner's or renter's insurance. Ask if they cover home daycare liability. Many do not — but ask. If they do not, you will need a separate policy.
Call your Regional Office and ask whether they require proof of liability insurance at the time of application or at the home check.
Workers' Comp — Required If You Have a Helper
If you will work alone, you do not need workers' compensation insurance.
If anyone will help you with the children — a paid helper, an unpaid helper, a family member who does not live in your home — you likely need workers' comp.
Cost: Roughly $50 to $150 per month for a small home daycare with one part-time helper.
If you have questions about whether you need it, call your Regional Office or a local business insurance broker. This is one of the most misunderstood requirements in the whole process.
Your Total Budget
Here is a realistic total for two common scenarios:
Scenario A: One adult in the home, small license
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| State application fee | $73 |
| Fingerprints (1 adult) | $70–$100 |
| City business license | $50 |
| Home safety fixes | $75–$150 |
| Fire extinguisher | $45 |
| Total | $313–$418 |
Scenario B: Two adults in the home, small license
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| State application fee | $73 |
| Fingerprints (2 adults) | $140–$200 |
| City business license | $50 |
| Home safety fixes | $75–$150 |
| Fire extinguisher | $45 |
| Total | $383–$518 |
These numbers do not include liability insurance or workers' comp — those depend on your situation. Add $300 to $800 per year for insurance if your Regional Office requires it or if you want the protection.
What Makes It More Expensive
A few things can push your total over $600:
- More adults in your home. Each person's fingerprints add $70 to $100.
- A home that needs significant fixes. A pool without the right fence, a missing stair gate, multiple missing alarms — it adds up.
- Going for a large license. The application fee is $140 instead of $73, and you will need workers' comp in place for your assistant.
- Your city's fees. A few California cities charge higher business license fees.
What Makes It Cheaper
- One adult in the home. One set of fingerprints.
- A home that already meets safety standards. Newer construction often passes with fewer fixes.
- A Regional Office with LiveScan on-site. The rolling fee may be lower than a private location.
What You Are Not Paying For
People sometimes expect hidden state fees. There are not many. The state does not charge for:
- The 16-hour class
- Reviewing your application
- Scheduling your home inspection
- Issuing your license
You pay the application fee, the fingerprint fees, and the city's fees. That is it on the government side.
What to Do Next
- Decide: small or large license. This determines your application fee and your capacity.
- Count the adults in your home. That tells you how much fingerprints will cost.
- Call your city. Ask what permits and licenses they require for a home daycare.
- Walk through your home with the inspection checklist and write down what needs to be fixed before you apply.
The full License Kit includes all 7 state forms, a room-by-room home inspection checklist, and a renewal calendar. Get the Kit →
This article is for general information only. Rules and fees can change. Always check cdss.ca.gov for the current application fee and form requirements. Daycare License California is not part of the California state government.