California Home Daycare License Requirements — Complete Checklist

Getting a California home daycare license requires meeting a specific set of requirements. There is no shortcut or workaround — every item on this list is checked by the state before your license is issued.

The good news: the requirements are predictable. Nothing on this list is surprising or unreasonable. And the process is the same in every county — you deal with your local CDSS Regional Office, but the state requirements are uniform.

This article covers every requirement in one place so you know exactly what you are signing up for.

Quick answer

To get a California home daycare license, you must be 18 or older, complete a 16-hour class, get fingerprinted (and every adult in your home), submit 7 specific forms with the state fee, and pass a home safety inspection. The small license costs $73; the large costs $140.

Who Can Apply

Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

Residency: You must live in the home where you intend to operate the daycare. You cannot license a home you do not live in.

Background: You must have a clean criminal background. The state reviews your record through the fingerprinting process. Certain convictions are automatic disqualifiers; others are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you have a prior conviction, contact your Regional Office before applying — do not guess.

Large license: If you are applying for a large license (up to 12 children), you must already have at least one year of experience as a licensed small family daycare home provider. You cannot skip to large. See Small vs. Large Home Daycare License in California.

The 7 Required Forms

California requires seven specific forms. All seven must be completed correctly and submitted together.

LIC 279 — Application for a Community Care Facility License

This is the main application. It asks for your personal information, the address of the facility, the license type you are applying for, and the capacity you are requesting.

LIC 279B — Personal History Statement

Background information about you — employment history, education, any prior licensing history with CDSS or other states. One for each person listed as an applicant.

LIC 508 — Criminal Record Statement

Every adult in your home must complete this form — not just you. Your spouse, partner, adult children, parents, or roommates. If someone moves in after you apply, they must complete it and be fingerprinted before they can be cleared to remain in the home.

LIC 610A — Facility Sketch

A hand-drawn floor plan of your home showing all rooms and their intended use. It does not need to be to scale or professional. Label each room: bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom, playroom, etc. Note which areas children will and will not have access to.

LIC 9108 — Personnel Record

One for yourself. One for your assistant if you are applying for a large license. Documents experience and training in child care.

LIC 999A — Acknowledgment of Receipt of Regulations

You sign this to confirm you have received and reviewed the Title 22 regulations that govern family daycare homes. Your Regional Office provides the regulations at your 16-hour class.

LIC 9217 — Licensing Checklist

This is the form that triggers your home inspection appointment. Do not mail this until your home is fully ready for inspection. Sending it too early is one of the most common mistakes first-time applicants make.

Where to get the forms: Your Regional Office provides them. You can also download current versions from cdss.ca.gov.

The 16-Hour Orientation Class

Every first-time applicant must complete a 16-hour class before submitting an application. The class covers:

  • California regulations for family daycare homes
  • Child safety and supervision
  • Nutrition and CACFP basics
  • Business record-keeping
  • What to expect at your home inspection

The class is free. It is run by your local CDSS Regional Office.

Sign up immediately. Wait lists can run 2 to 4 months at some offices. If you wait until you are ready to submit your forms, you will sit idle for months. Call your Regional Office on the same day you decide to apply. For more on timing, see How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Daycare License in California.

Fingerprints — Every Adult in the Home

Every person who is 18 years or older and lives in your home must be fingerprinted through the California LiveScan system. This is not optional. It is not just for you.

Who this includes:

  • You
  • Your spouse or partner
  • Adult children living at home
  • Parents or in-laws living with you
  • Roommates

How it works: Each person goes to a LiveScan location in person. There is no mail or online option. Locations include some police stations, UPS Stores, notaries, and libraries. Call ahead — most are appointment-only.

What it costs: The government portion (DOJ + FBI) runs $49 per person. The service fee at the LiveScan location adds $20 to $50. Total is $70 to $100 per person.

Processing time: Results typically take 2 to 4 weeks. The state will not process your application until all results are in. Start fingerprints early.

For a full cost breakdown, see How Much Does a Home Daycare License Cost in California.

The Application Fee

The state fee is paid with your application and is non-refundable.

  • Small Family Day Care Home: $73
  • Large Family Day Care Home: $140

Make the check payable to California Department of Social Services. Do not send cash. Do not write the check to your Regional Office.

Renewal fees are the same amount. Late renewal adds $36 (small) or $70 (large).

Home Safety Requirements

Your home must pass a state safety inspection before your license is issued. A CDSS analyst visits your home and walks through every room. They are checking for specific safety conditions — not aesthetics, not square footage.

The most commonly failed items:

Item Requirement
Water heater Strapped to wall with two metal straps; set to 120°F or below
Fire extinguisher Type 2A:10BC, not expired
Smoke alarms Every bedroom, every hallway, every floor
CO detectors Every floor
Outlet covers All unused electrical outlets
Cabinet locks Any cabinet containing medications, chemicals, or sharp items
Window blind cords Tied up or cordless — strangulation hazard
Medications Locked or out of reach
Pool fence 5 feet tall, self-latching gate (if pool/spa present)
Yard fence Minimum 4 feet tall

For the complete room-by-room list, see California Home Daycare Inspection Checklist.

Insurance Requirements

Liability insurance: Some Regional Offices require proof of liability insurance at the time of application or at the home inspection. Others do not. Call your office and ask. Either way, it is strongly recommended.

Standard homeowner's and renter's insurance policies typically do not cover home daycare liability. You need a policy that specifically covers home daycare operations. Cost: approximately $300 to $800 per year.

Workers' compensation: Required if you have any paid helper — including a family member. If you will work alone with a small license, you do not need it. See Hiring an Assistant for Your Home Daycare.

City and County Requirements

The state license and your city or county permits are separate. The state does not notify your city. You must handle both.

Business license: Almost every California city requires a business license for any home business. Cost: $25 to $75 per year, depending on the city.

Home occupation permit: Some cities require this separately. Call your city's business license office and ask: "What do I need to legally operate a licensed home daycare at my home address?" Get the answer in writing.

Zoning: Home daycare is protected by state law in most California residential zones. But some very specific local rules can affect hours or outdoor activity. Check with your city if you have concerns.

Large License — Additional Requirements

If you are applying for a large license (up to 12 children), you have additional requirements:

Experience: At least one year of experience as a licensed small home daycare provider. Your licensing history is on file with the state.

Assistant: You must have a licensed or approved assistant. They go through the same fingerprinting and background check process you do. They must be present whenever you have more than 6 children in care.

Their children count: Your assistant's children under age 10 count toward your total capacity, just like yours do. Know this number before you apply.

Application fee: $140 instead of $73.

Space: While there is no mandatory square footage, inspectors expect your space to accommodate the larger number of children safely. Have a realistic conversation with yourself about whether your home can work for 12 children.

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Requirements Summary — Print This

Personal requirements:

  • Age 18 or older
  • Live in the home
  • Clean background check (or contact Regional Office about your history)
  • 16-hour class completed

Forms (all 7 required):

  • LIC 279 — Main application
  • LIC 279B — Personal history
  • LIC 508 — Criminal record statement (one per adult in home)
  • LIC 610A — Floor plan sketch
  • LIC 9108 — Personnel record
  • LIC 999A — Acknowledgment of regulations
  • LIC 9217 — Triggers home inspection (send only when home is ready)

Fingerprints:

  • You
  • Every other adult in your home

Fee:

  • $73 (small) or $140 (large) — check payable to California Department of Social Services

Home:

  • Passes CDSS safety inspection

City:

  • Business license obtained
  • Home occupation permit (if required by your city)

Insurance (check with your Regional Office):

  • Liability insurance in place
  • Workers' comp if you have a paid helper

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree or child development units? No — not to get your initial license. The 16-hour class is the only education requirement for a first-time small license. Some providers pursue child development units for professional growth, but it is not required.

What if an adult moves into my home after I apply? Contact your Regional Office immediately. The new adult must complete a LIC 508 and be fingerprinted before they can be cleared. Operating with an uncleared adult in the home is a violation.

Do I need to be a US citizen? No. You need to be legally authorized to work and live in the US. Contact your Regional Office if you have questions about your specific situation.

Can I apply if I am currently renting? Yes. California law protects your right to operate a licensed family daycare in a rental. See Home Daycare in an Apartment or Rental in California for details.

What happens if my application is denied? The state will tell you the reason. Some denials can be appealed. Others require you to resolve the underlying issue (for example, a background check result) before reapplying. Contact your Regional Office to understand your options.

What to Do Next

  1. Call your Regional Office today and get on the 16-hour class wait list.
  2. Get fingerprinted — and make sure every adult in your home does the same.
  3. Walk your home and identify what safety fixes you need before the inspection.
  4. Contact your city about business license and home occupation permit requirements.

The full License Kit includes all 7 state forms, line-by-line instructions for completing them, a room-by-room inspection checklist, and a renewal calendar. Get the Kit →

This article is for general information only. Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements at cdss.ca.gov or with your local CDSS Regional Office. Daycare License California is not part of the California state government.