What is the cheapest state to get a daycare license?

Several states charge no state licensing fee. New York's OCFS charges no application or registration fee, Alabama's Child Care Act sets no application or renewal fee, and Delaware's DELACARE rules charge no fee for homes or centers. A low or zero licensing fee does not mean low startup costs, though — background checks, required training hours, and facility upgrades vary widely and usually dwarf the application fee.

Is the daycare license renewal fee the same as the application fee?

In most states, yes. States that charge an annual or biennial license fee typically bill the same amount at renewal as at first application — California family child care homes pay $73 each year, and Arkansas charges its $15/$50/$100 capacity-based fee at each renewal. A handful of states charge a reduced renewal or no renewal fee at all. Always confirm the current amount with your licensing office.

Do home daycares and childcare centers pay different licensing fees?

Often, yes. Family child care homes (run out of a residence) usually pay a low flat fee, while childcare centers pay more — frequently scaled by licensed capacity. California, for example, charges $73 for a small family child care home but $484 to $2,420 for a center depending on size. Where a state's fee depends on whether you run a home or a center, the per-state entries below spell out both.

50-State Reference

Childcare Licensing Fees by State: Application + Renewal Costs (2026)

Name: U.S. Childcare Licensing Application & Renewal Fees by State
Creator: TotReady Research Team
License: https://totready.com

What the state actually charges to license a daycare — and to keep it licensed

Last updated: June 2026

Compiled by the TotReady Research Team

Every state sets its own childcare licensing fees, and the amount often depends on whether you run a family child care home or a center, and on how many children you are licensed for. This page answers one question for all 50 states: how much does a daycare license cost — both to apply and to renew. Each entry cites the statute or administrative code the fee comes from so you can verify it with your licensing agency.

Key finding: Childcare licensing application fees range from $0 in states like New York and Alabama to $2,420 for the largest childcare centers in California. Most family child care homes pay a low flat fee — often under $100 — and many states bill the same amount again at renewal. The license fee is only the government's processing charge; background checks, training, and insurance add far more to a real first-year budget.

Method: Compiled by the TotReady Research Team from published state administrative codes and licensing statutes. Each state's application and renewal fees below quote or summarize the governing rule and list its citation. Fee schedules are amended frequently — always confirm the current amount with your state's childcare licensing office before budgeting or submitting payment. TotReady provides information, not legal advice.

How much a daycare license costs in each state

A one-line summary per state. Read the full fee schedule and citation in the reference table below, or open a state's page for its complete licensing requirements.

Alabama

Application fee: Alabama's Child Care Act and the DHR Minimum Standards impose no application or registration fee.

Renewal fee: No renewal fee is established by Alabama law.

Alaska

Application fee: The application fee for Alaska could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your Alaska childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for Alaska could not be confirmed — contact your Alaska childcare licensing office to confirm.

Arizona

Application fee: Arizona Department of Health Services child care facility (center) annual license fees, as amended effective Aug.

Renewal fee: Arizona collects the same capacity-based fee on an annual basis rather than a separate renewal fee: $330 (5 to 10 children), $1,330 (11 to 59), or $2,575 (60 or more) are due each year, payable in full with the application or one-half with the application and the balance no later than 120 calendar days after the license anniversary date (Ariz.

Arkansas

Application fee: Arkansas charges no separate flat application fee.

Renewal fee: The license fee is an annual fee charged at each annual licensing or renewal date, identical to the initial fee: $15.00/year for fewer than 17 children, $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark.

California

Application fee: The original application fee is $73 for a small family child care home (capacity 1-8) and $140 for a large family child care home (capacity 9-14).

Renewal fee: An annual fee is charged on each license anniversary date: family child care homes pay the same as the application fee ($73 small / $140 large), while child care centers pay roughly half the application fee (e.g., $242 for 1-30, $484 for 31-60, capped at $1,210 for 121+), per Cal.

Colorado

Application fee: The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00.

Renewal fee: The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child.

Connecticut

Application fee: The initial license application fee for a family child care home is forty dollars ($40), per Conn.

Renewal fee: License renewal fees equal the initial fees and all licenses run on a four-year term: $40 to renew a family child care home (Conn.

Delaware

Application fee: The application fee for Delaware could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your Delaware childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: No renewal fee is specified in Delaware's DELACARE regulations.

Florida

Application fee: The child care facility/center license fee is $1 per child of licensed capacity, with a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $100 per facility.

Renewal fee: Every child care facility license shall be renewed annually under Fla.

Georgia

Application fee: Georgia charges no separate initial application fee.

Renewal fee: The license fee is annual and equals the same amount as the initial fee — $50.00 per year for a Family Child Care Learning Home and the capacity-based $50-$250 per year for a Child Care Learning Center, payable by the date set by the Department.

Hawaii

Application fee: The application fee for Hawaii could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your Hawaii childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: Hawaii's administrative rules specify no renewal fee in dollars.

Idaho

Application fee: Idaho's total daycare license fee shall not exceed $100 for all other daycare facilities (family/group), $250 for a daycare center with thirteen (13) to twenty-five (25) children, and $325 for a daycare center with more than twenty-five (25) children, plus criminal history background-check fees at actual cost.

Renewal fee: The basic daycare license is valid for two (2) years and is renewed by submitting the renewal application with "the required renewal fee" and a criminal history check.

Illinois

Application fee: There is no application/license fee in Illinois: the day care home rule states "There shall be no fee or charge for the license" (89 Ill.

Renewal fee: No renewal fee.

Indiana

Application fee: The application fee for Indiana could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your Indiana childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for Indiana could not be confirmed — contact your Indiana childcare licensing office to confirm.

Iowa

Application fee: A child care CENTER pays a one-time-per-license regulatory fee due at issuance, tiered by capacity: $50 for 0-20 children, $75 for 21-50, $100 for 51-100, $125 for 101-150, and $150 for 151 or more (Iowa Admin.

Renewal fee: A child care center license is issued for 24 months and the same capacity-based regulatory fee ($50-$150) is due at each renewal.

Kansas

Application fee: For a day care home, group day care home, or child care center, the nonrefundable license/application fee is $75 plus $1 times the maximum number of children to be authorized under the license.

Renewal fee: The same license fee schedule applies at renewal and is paid annually.

Kentucky

Application fee: Kentucky charges a nonrefundable initial certification fee of ten dollars ($10) for a family child-care home and a nonrefundable initial licensing fee of fifty dollars ($50) for a child-care center (922 KAR 2:100 Section 2(2)(c)2.

Renewal fee: Kentucky's family child-care home renewal fee is ten dollars ($10) every two (2) years (biennial), while a child-care center pays a twenty-five dollar ($25) renewal fee (922 KAR 2:100 Section 3(2)(b).

Louisiana

Application fee: For an early learning center, an administrative fee of $25 is submitted with each application for initial licensure and is applied toward the total licensure fee, and the annual licensure fee itself is then set by licensed capacity ($25 for 15 or fewer children.

Renewal fee: There is no separate renewal-only fee: the full annual licensure fee based on licensed capacity, as provided in §313 ($25 / $100 / $175 / $250 by capacity tier), must be submitted with all renewal applications, the same schedule used at initial licensure (La.

Maine

Application fee: Family child care home: the application fee for a provisional license is $80.00 and the fee for a full license or its biennial renewal is $160.00 (a temporary license is $10.00) (10-148 CMR Ch.

Renewal fee: Family child care home: $160.00 biennial renewal (same as the full-license fee) (10-148 CMR Ch.

Maryland

Application fee: Maryland charges no application fee for either a child care center license or a family child care home registration.

Renewal fee: Maryland charges no renewal fee.

Massachusetts

Application fee: The application fee for Massachusetts could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your Massachusetts childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for Massachusetts could not be confirmed — contact your Massachusetts childcare licensing office to confirm.

Michigan

Application fee: Original license application fees are $50.00 for a family child care home and $100.00 for a group child care home.

Renewal fee: License renewal fees are half the original amounts: $25.00 family child care home, $50.00 group child care home, and $75.00/$100.00/$125.00/$150.00 for child care centers by capacity tier (1-20/21-50/51-100/over-100).

Minnesota

Application fee: Child care centers pay a $500 application fee that is nonrefundable and not prorated and is in lieu of the annual license fee that expires on December 31 (Minn.

Renewal fee: Child care center licenses carry an annual license fee scaled to licensed capacity, ranging from $200 (capacity 1-24) up to $1,100 (capacity 225 or more), and the license expires December 31 each year (Minn.

Mississippi

Application fee: The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss.

Renewal fee: The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier).

Missouri

Application fee: No application or licensing fee is set in Missouri's family child care home rules — 5 CSR 25-400.045 (Licensing Process) describes the free licensing orientation, application form, and inspection with no dollar fee, and DESE's official "Start a Family Child Care Home" page lists the free Child Care Licensing Orientation as the first step and states no application or licensing fee (5 CSR 25-400.045).

Renewal fee: No renewal fee is set in Missouri's family child care home rules — instead of a fee, the licensee must submit an Annual Declaration for Licensed Facility form to the department at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the anniversary date printed on the license, with no fee stated (5 CSR 25-400.055(1)(A)).

Montana

Application fee: Montana charges no application or registration fee for child care.

Renewal fee: Montana charges no renewal fee for child care.

Nebraska

Application fee: Nebraska charges a capacity-based license fee with no separate family-home-vs-center distinction: a $25 fee at initial application for a program licensed for fewer than 30 children, and $50 for a program licensed for 30 or more children, paid "at the time of initial application and annually thereafter" (Neb.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee equals the initial fee and is paid annually: $25 per year for capacity under 30 children and $50 per year for capacity of 30 or more children, due "at the time of initial application and annually thereafter," with operating licenses remaining in effect subject to annual inspections and fees (Neb.

Nevada

Application fee: Per the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, child care licensing application fees are: Family Care home (up to 6 children) $20.

Renewal fee: Not published as a separate renewal dollar amount in Nevada's child care licensing materials.

New Hampshire

Application fee: New Hampshire's child care licensing rules establish no application or permit fee: the application/permit process in He-C 4002.02 sets no dollar amount and RSA 170-E contains no child-day-care licensing-fee section, so no application fee is stated in the rule (He-C 4002.02.

Renewal fee: No license renewal fee is set in New Hampshire's rules.

New Jersey

Application fee: Child care center initial license fees are tiered by licensed capacity for a three-year license: $110 (6-15 children), $140 (16-30), $165 (31-60), $195 (61-100), $220 (101-180), and $250 (181 or more).

Renewal fee: Child care center renewal uses the same capacity-tiered fee schedule as the initial application ($110-$250 per three-year license term).

New Mexico

Application fee: New Mexico's child care licensing rule sets a $20 amended-license fee (for a director or capacity/star change) and a $25 late-renewal fee (8.16.2.11 NMAC).

Renewal fee: Licenses are issued annually for a one-year period and the renewal application must be submitted "along with the required fee" at least 30 days before expiration.

New York

Application fee: New York State OCFS charges no state application or registration fee for a child care license or registration.

Renewal fee: New York State OCFS charges no state renewal fee.

North Carolina

Application fee: North Carolina does not codify a separate statewide initial license application fee for child care centers or family child care homes.

Renewal fee: North Carolina assesses an Annual License Fee, payable online for the current calendar year, of $52.00 for a family child care home, $52.00 for a center with capacity of 0-12 (12 or fewer children), $187.00 for capacity 13-50, $375.00 for capacity 51-100, and $600.00 for capacity 101 or more.

North Dakota

Application fee: The nonrefundable annual license fee is twenty dollars for a family child care (or thirty-five dollars for a two-year license), twenty-five dollars for group child care (forty-five for two years), thirty dollars for a preschool (fifty-five for two years), forty dollars for a child care center (seventy-five for two years), and fifty dollars for a multiple licensed program (ninety-five for two years) (NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)).

Renewal fee: A license renewal uses the same nonrefundable fee schedule as the initial application (e.g., twenty dollars annually or thirty-five dollars for a two-year family child care license) and must be filed at least sixty days and no more than ninety days before expiration.

Ohio

Application fee: Ohio's initial licensing application fee is $50 for a child care center and $25 for a family child care provider (Type A or Type B), paid nonrefundably to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) through the OCLQS system.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for Ohio could not be confirmed — contact your Ohio childcare licensing office to confirm.

Oklahoma

Application fee: No application or registration fee is specified in Oklahoma's child care licensing rules — neither the family child care home requirements (OAC 340:110-3-82) nor the child care center requirements (OAC 340:110-3-276) impose a fee.

Renewal fee: No license renewal fee is specified in Oklahoma licensing rules.

Oregon

Application fee: The initial application/filing fee for a Registered Family Child Care home is a non-refundable $30, which may be reduced or waived if the applicant documents income below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (OAR 414-210-0130(2)).

Renewal fee: A Registered Family Child Care home pays the same non-refundable $30 filing fee at each renewal, and the registration is valid for no more than two (2) years (OAR 414-210-0130(2) and 414-210-0140(3)).

Pennsylvania

Application fee: Pennsylvania charges no application fee for child care certification.

Renewal fee: Pennsylvania charges no renewal fee for child care certification.

Rhode Island

Application fee: The nonrefundable initial license application fee, paid to the State of Rhode Island, is $100 for a Family Daycare Home, $250 for a Group Family Daycare Home, and $500 for a Child Daycare Center (R.I.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for Rhode Island could not be confirmed — contact your Rhode Island childcare licensing office to confirm.

South Carolina

Application fee: South Carolina's child care statute and licensing regulations specify no application, license, or registration fee.

Renewal fee: No renewal fee is specified in South Carolina's child care statute or regulations.

South Dakota

Application fee: The application fee for South Dakota could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your South Dakota childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for South Dakota could not be confirmed — contact your South Dakota childcare licensing office to confirm.

Tennessee

Application fee: Tennessee's licensing fee schedule (Tenn.

Renewal fee: Tennessee charges the same fee schedule for renewals as for initial licenses, and providers may pay an annual, biennial (two-year), or triennial (three-year) fee: for a family child care home $100.00 annual / $150.00 biennial / $175.00 triennial.

Texas

Application fee: The application fee for Texas could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your Texas childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for Texas could not be confirmed — contact your Texas childcare licensing office to confirm.

Utah

Application fee: Utah charges a single $62.00 "License or Certificate Fee" that applies to both new and renewal applications for any program type (family child care home, residential certificate, or center).

Renewal fee: The license/certificate renewal fee is $62.00, the same flat fee as a new application.

Vermont

Application fee: Vermont imposes no state application or registration fee to become a licensed or registered child care provider.

Renewal fee: No state renewal fee is charged.

Virginia

Application fee: Virginia's nonrefundable license application fee is set by licensed capacity for programs operating at least 12 weeks per year: $28 for capacity 1-12, $70 for 13-25, $140 for 26-50, $210 for 51-75, $280 for 76-200, and $400 for 201+ (with $50 for capacity 1-50 and $110 for capacity 51+ for programs running under 12 weeks.

Renewal fee: Virginia issues licenses for a two-year period, and the same capacity-based fee in 8VAC20-821-150 ($28-$400 by licensed capacity) is charged at each two-year application cycle.

Washington

Application fee: The application fee for Washington could not be confirmed against a published source — contact your Washington childcare licensing office to confirm.

Renewal fee: The renewal fee for Washington could not be confirmed — contact your Washington childcare licensing office to confirm.

West Virginia

Application fee: West Virginia's child care licensing rules impose no initial application or registration fee for family child care homes, family child care facilities, or child care centers—no fee provision exists in 78 CSR 1 (Child Care Centers Licensing), 78 CSR 18 (Family Child Care Facility Licensing Requirements), or 78 CSR 19 (Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements) (verified: no fee provision in 78 CSR 1, 78 CSR 18, or 78 CSR 19).

Renewal fee: West Virginia charges no license or registration renewal fee.

Wisconsin

Application fee: A licensed family child care center (4-8 children, DCF 250) pays a $15.12 initial six-month probationary license fee, while a group child care center (DCF 251) pays a $45.68 non-refundable initial application fee plus a two-year fee of $30.25 base and $16.94 per child of licensed capacity (Wisconsin DCF Child Care Regulation Fees, dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccregulation/fees).

Renewal fee: License continuation is biennial: a family child care center pays a $60.50 two-year fee, and a larger center (13 or more children) pays $30.25 plus $16.94 per child of licensed capacity for two years (Wis.

Wyoming

Application fee: Wyoming charges a nonrefundable initial licensing (application) fee of $25.00, submitted by all applicants regardless of facility type (WY Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2 'Licensing Process,' Section 9(a), effective April 2026).

Renewal fee: Wyoming charges a nonrefundable license renewal fee of $25.00 for all licensed facilities, due upon the expiration date of the current license (WY Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2 'Licensing Process,' Section 9(b), effective April 2026).

Childcare licensing fees: full state table

Coverage for 40 of 50 states. Each cell quotes or summarizes the governing statute or administrative code. Confirm current amounts with your licensing agency before relying on them.

Childcare licensing application fee and renewal fee, by U.S. state, with regulatory citations.
State	Application Fee	Renewal Fee
Alabama	Alabama's Child Care Act and the DHR Minimum Standards impose no application or registration fee; Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-4 requires only submission of the application form and a Department inspection/investigation, with no fee provision (no fee language appears in Title 38 Chapter 7 or in the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers or for Family Day Care Homes, both effective Sept. 30, 2019).	No renewal fee is established by Alabama law; licenses are valid for two years from the date issued and are renewed by reapplication and Department reexamination, with no fee specified (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-5(a) [two-year validity] and sec. 38-7-6 [renewal/reexamination]).
Alaska	Contact your Alaska licensing office to confirm.	Contact your Alaska licensing office to confirm.
Arizona	Arizona Department of Health Services child care facility (center) annual license fees, as amended effective Aug. 3, 2025, are tiered by licensed capacity: $330 for 5 to 10 children, $1,330 for 11 to 59 children, and $2,575 for 60 or more children; the fee (or one-half with the application and the remainder due no later than 120 calendar days after the license anniversary date) is submitted no more than 60 calendar days before the anniversary date (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-205 and R9-5-206, Supp. 25-2, effective Aug. 3, 2025; 31 A.A.R. 2015). Family child care homes (1 to 4 unrelated children) are certified by the Department of Economic Security, not licensed by ADHS.	Arizona collects the same capacity-based fee on an annual basis rather than a separate renewal fee: $330 (5 to 10 children), $1,330 (11 to 59), or $2,575 (60 or more) are due each year, payable in full with the application or one-half with the application and the balance no later than 120 calendar days after the license anniversary date (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-205 and R9-5-206, Supp. 25-2, effective Aug. 3, 2025; A.R.S. § 36-882 authorizes annual fees).
Arkansas	Arkansas charges no separate flat application fee; a grep of the statute and both Minimum Licensing Requirements documents returns no 'application fee.' The only fee is the statutory annual license fee, set by capacity and paid at the annual licensing or renewal date: $15.00/year for facilities serving fewer than 17 children (the rate for a Child Care Family Home), $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Child Care Center MLR 104.1.a-c).	The license fee is an annual fee charged at each annual licensing or renewal date, identical to the initial fee: $15.00/year for fewer than 17 children, $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Center MLR 104.1). There is no distinct renewal fee beyond this annual fee.
California	The original application fee is $73 for a small family child care home (capacity 1-8) and $140 for a large family child care home (capacity 9-14); child care centers pay by capacity tier, ranging from $484 (1-30) and $968 (31-60) up to $2,420 (121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803.	An annual fee is charged on each license anniversary date: family child care homes pay the same as the application fee ($73 small / $140 large), while child care centers pay roughly half the application fee (e.g., $242 for 1-30, $484 for 31-60, capped at $1,210 for 121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803; a one-time orientation fee of $25 (family child care home) or $50 (child care center) per attendee also applies.
Colorado	The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.)	The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child; 31+ centers: $300.00 base + $3.00/child), per the fee schedule in 8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES (effective July 1, 2020). A discounted continuation fee of up to 50% is available to certain Colorado Shines level 3-5 facilities serving high proportions of CCCAP children.
Connecticut	The initial license application fee for a family child care home is forty dollars ($40), per Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-87b(d). For larger programs the licensing fee is collected prior to issuing the license: $500 for a child care center and $250 for a group child care home, per Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-80(b)(2).	License renewal fees equal the initial fees and all licenses run on a four-year term: $40 to renew a family child care home (Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-87b(d), which provides the fee "prior to issuing or renewing"); $500 to renew a child care center and $250 to renew a group child care home, each collected "prior to issuing or renewing a license for a term of four years" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-80(b)(2)).
Delaware	Contact your Delaware licensing office to confirm.	No renewal fee is specified in Delaware's DELACARE regulations; licenses are renewed annually with the renewal application due at least 60 days before the license expires and no fee charged (DELACARE Regs for Family and Large Family Child Care Homes, Sec. 8 License Renewal; DELACARE Regs for Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers, Sec. 8 License Renewal).
Florida	The child care facility/center license fee is $1 per child of licensed capacity, with a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $100 per facility; a registered family day care home pays $25, a licensed family day care home pays $50, and a large family child care home pays $60 (Fla. Stat. 402.315(3)).	Every child care facility license shall be renewed annually under Fla. Stat. 402.308(1), and the same statutory fee schedule in Fla. Stat. 402.315(3) applies at each annual renewal (center $1/child, minimum $25/maximum $100; registered family day care home $25; licensed family day care home $50; large family child care home $60); no separate renewal-only fee is set in statute.
Georgia	Georgia charges no separate initial application fee; the only charge is the license fee, which for a Family Child Care Learning Home is a flat $50.00 annual fee (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f)), and for a Child Care Learning Center is a capacity-based annual fee of $50 (25 or fewer), $100 (26-50), $150 (51-100), $200 (101-200), or $250 (over 200) per the DECAL License Fee schedule (decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx).	The license fee is annual and equals the same amount as the initial fee — $50.00 per year for a Family Child Care Learning Home and the capacity-based $50-$250 per year for a Child Care Learning Center, payable by the date set by the Department; a late fee of up to $250.00 may be imposed if not paid by the due date (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f); DECAL License Fee Information page).
Hawaii	Contact your Hawaii licensing office to confirm.	Hawaii's administrative rules specify no renewal fee in dollars; certificates of registration (family child care homes) and licenses (group and infant/toddler centers) are valid one year for new applicants and providers in their first four years and two years for providers licensed/registered four years or more, renewed by application and department approval (HAR §§ 17-891.1-3(i); 17-895-3(j); HRS §§ 346-163(a), 346-171). Although HRS §§ 346-163(b)/346-173(b) authorize the department to set renewal fees by rule, a specific renewal-fee dollar amount could not be verified against a Hawaii .gov source.
Idaho	Idaho's total daycare license fee shall not exceed $100 for all other daycare facilities (family/group), $250 for a daycare center with thirteen (13) to twenty-five (25) children, and $325 for a daycare center with more than twenty-five (25) children, plus criminal history background-check fees at actual cost; no other fees shall be charged per license period (Idaho Code 39-1107(1)).	The basic daycare license is valid for two (2) years and is renewed by submitting the renewal application with "the required renewal fee" and a criminal history check; Idaho sets no separate higher renewal amount, and "no other fees shall be charged for each license period," so the same fee cap ($100 family/group; $250 center 13-25; $325 center 25+) applies (Idaho Code 39-1106(1)-(2) and 39-1107(1)).
Illinois	There is no application/license fee in Illinois: the day care home rule states "There shall be no fee or charge for the license" (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.6) and "There shall be no fee or charge for the permit" (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.7); day care centers are likewise fee-free under 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.	No renewal fee; Illinois DCFS charges no fee for issuance or renewal of a day care home license, which is valid for 3 years unless revoked or surrendered (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.6).
Indiana	Contact your Indiana licensing office to confirm.	Contact your Indiana licensing office to confirm.
Iowa	A child care CENTER pays a one-time-per-license regulatory fee due at issuance, tiered by capacity: $50 for 0-20 children, $75 for 21-50, $100 for 51-100, $125 for 101-150, and $150 for 151 or more (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-109.2(5)). A child development HOME (family child care) is charged no registration fee in practice — the official HHS Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143) and application packet include no fee — although Iowa Code section 237A.4A authorizes a tiered regulatory fee capped at $150 for category "A" and "B" homes and $187 for category "C" homes (Iowa Code 237A.4A(1)(b)-(c)).	A child care center license is issued for 24 months and the same capacity-based regulatory fee ($50-$150) is due at each renewal; regulatory fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-109.2(5)). A child development home renews its registration every 24 months with no renewal fee charged in practice (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-110.3 specifies the 24-month renewal and lists no fee).
Kansas	For a day care home, group day care home, or child care center, the nonrefundable license/application fee is $75 plus $1 times the maximum number of children to be authorized under the license; for a preschool the fee is $15 if license capacity is 12 or fewer children, or $35 plus $1 per child not to exceed $75 if capacity is 13 or more children (K.A.R. 28-4-92).	The same license fee schedule applies at renewal and is paid annually; per K.S.A. 65-505 the license fee "shall be paid to the secretary of health and environment when the license is applied for and annually thereafter," and any licensee who fails to renew within 30 days after expiration "shall pay to the secretary the renewal fee plus a late fee in an amount of $75 or equal to the fee for the renewal of a license, whichever is greater" (K.S.A. 65-505).
Kentucky	Kentucky charges a nonrefundable initial certification fee of ten dollars ($10) for a family child-care home and a nonrefundable initial licensing fee of fifty dollars ($50) for a child-care center (922 KAR 2:100 Section 2(2)(c)2; 922 KAR 2:090 Section 7(1)).	Kentucky's family child-care home renewal fee is ten dollars ($10) every two (2) years (biennial), while a child-care center pays a twenty-five dollar ($25) renewal fee (922 KAR 2:100 Section 3(2)(b); 922 KAR 2:090 Section 7(2)).
Louisiana	For an early learning center, an administrative fee of $25 is submitted with each application for initial licensure and is applied toward the total licensure fee, and the annual licensure fee itself is then set by licensed capacity ($25 for 15 or fewer children; $100 for 16-50; $175 for 51-100; $250 for 101 or more), with Type I centers operated by churches/religious organizations exempt from the annual licensure fee; a family child care home additionally pays a separate $30 Office of State Fire Marshal fee (called a $30 application fee by LDOE and a $30 inspection fee by the Fire Marshal) during registration (La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §707 and §313; LDOE in-home/family provider registration steps).	There is no separate renewal-only fee: the full annual licensure fee based on licensed capacity, as provided in §313 ($25 / $100 / $175 / $250 by capacity tier), must be submitted with all renewal applications, the same schedule used at initial licensure (La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §707.A.2 and §313).
Maine	Family child care home: the application fee for a provisional license is $80.00 and the fee for a full license or its biennial renewal is $160.00 (a temporary license is $10.00) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.6, §3.A.7, §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the application fee for a provisional or temporary license is $120.00 (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Application fee').	Family child care home: $160.00 biennial renewal (same as the full-license fee) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the biennial renewal fee is $240.00, assessed for a full or conditional license (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Renewal fee').
Maryland	Maryland charges no application fee for either a child care center license or a family child care home registration; the COMAR application sections (COMAR 13A.16.02.02 and 13A.15.02.01) prescribe no fee, and the State's official OneStop child care licensing portal lists the application cost as $0.00.	Maryland charges no renewal fee; a license or registration is maintained by submitting required documentation every two years (a continuing application) at no cost, per the Maryland OneStop child care licensing and registration portal.
Massachusetts	Contact your Massachusetts licensing office to confirm.	Contact your Massachusetts licensing office to confirm.
Michigan	Original license application fees are $50.00 for a family child care home and $100.00 for a group child care home; child care center original license fees are $150.00 (capacity 1-20), $200.00 (21-50), $250.00 (51-100), and $300.00 (over 100) (MCL 722.115m).	License renewal fees are half the original amounts: $25.00 family child care home, $50.00 group child care home, and $75.00/$100.00/$125.00/$150.00 for child care centers by capacity tier (1-20/21-50/51-100/over-100); a regular Michigan child care license is effective for 2 years and must be renewed biennially (renewal fees per MCL 722.115m; 2-year/biennial term per MCL 722.118).
Minnesota	Child care centers pay a $500 application fee that is nonrefundable and not prorated and is in lieu of the annual license fee that expires on December 31 (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 3). No application or license fee is charged by the state for family or group family child care, but a county agency may charge a license fee not to exceed $50 for a one-year license or $100 for a two-year license (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 1(b) for the no-state-fee rule and subd. 2 for the discretionary county fee).	Child care center licenses carry an annual license fee scaled to licensed capacity, ranging from $200 (capacity 1-24) up to $1,100 (capacity 225 or more), and the license expires December 31 each year (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 4(a)). Family and group family child care have no state renewal fee; a county agency may charge up to $50 for a one-year license or $100 for a two-year license (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 1(b) and subd. 2).
Mississippi	The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).	The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier); licenses are renewed annually (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(3) and Rule 1.2.7; home Rule 2.2.4(3) and Rule 2.2.8, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Missouri	No application or licensing fee is set in Missouri's family child care home rules — 5 CSR 25-400.045 (Licensing Process) describes the free licensing orientation, application form, and inspection with no dollar fee, and DESE's official "Start a Family Child Care Home" page lists the free Child Care Licensing Orientation as the first step and states no application or licensing fee (5 CSR 25-400.045).	No renewal fee is set in Missouri's family child care home rules — instead of a fee, the licensee must submit an Annual Declaration for Licensed Facility form to the department at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the anniversary date printed on the license, with no fee stated (5 CSR 25-400.055(1)(A)).
Montana	Montana charges no application or registration fee for child care. ARM 37.95.106(3)-(4) lists what an applicant must provide for a center license or a family/group home registration (fire-marshal and health inspection reports, current fire and liability insurance, satisfactory background-check results, an emergency disaster plan, and staff/health attestations), and the department's duties in 52-2-704, MCA list its responsibilities, but no dollar application or registration fee is set anywhere in ARM Title 37, chapter 95 (ARM 37.95.106; 52-2-704, MCA).	Montana charges no renewal fee for child care. Regular registration certificates and licenses are issued for periods up to three years (ARM 37.95.108(7)), and renewal applications must be made by the provider at least 30 days prior to expiration of the license or registration certificate (ARM 37.95.106(5)); no dollar renewal fee is set in ARM Title 37, chapter 95.
Nebraska	Nebraska charges a capacity-based license fee with no separate family-home-vs-center distinction: a $25 fee at initial application for a program licensed for fewer than 30 children, and $50 for a program licensed for 30 or more children, paid "at the time of initial application and annually thereafter" (Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-1911.01(1)-(2)).	The renewal fee equals the initial fee and is paid annually: $25 per year for capacity under 30 children and $50 per year for capacity of 30 or more children, due "at the time of initial application and annually thereafter," with operating licenses remaining in effect subject to annual inspections and fees (Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-1911.01 and 71-1911(6)).
Nevada	Per the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, child care licensing application fees are: Family Care home (up to 6 children) $20; Group Care home (up to 12 children) $60; and Centers (13 children or more) range from $100 up to $300 (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide; fee-setting authority NRS 432A.143/432A.146).	Not published as a separate renewal dollar amount in Nevada's child care licensing materials; a Nevada child care license is effective for not more than 1 year and is renewed for 1-year terms (NRS 432A.141), and the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide publishes only the schedule of application fees (Family Care $20, Group Care $60, Centers $100-$300).
New Hampshire	New Hampshire's child care licensing rules establish no application or permit fee: the application/permit process in He-C 4002.02 sets no dollar amount and RSA 170-E contains no child-day-care licensing-fee section, so no application fee is stated in the rule (He-C 4002.02; RSA 170-E).	No license renewal fee is set in New Hampshire's rules; on renewal the department issues a 3-year license with no stated cost, and renewal applications are due no less than 3 months prior to the expiration date of the current license (He-C 4002.02).
New Jersey	Child care center initial license fees are tiered by licensed capacity for a three-year license: $110 (6-15 children), $140 (16-30), $165 (31-60), $195 (61-100), $220 (101-180), and $250 (181 or more); Head Start and non-fee school-age programs pay a flat $110, and a registered Family Child Care home pays a $25 registration fee collected by its sponsoring organization (N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.1; N.J.A.C. 3A:54-4.5).	Child care center renewal uses the same capacity-tiered fee schedule as the initial application ($110-$250 per three-year license term); a Family Child Care home pays a $25 registration fee upon issuance of each initial or renewal regular Certificate of Registration (N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.1; N.J.A.C. 3A:54-4.5).
New Mexico	New Mexico's child care licensing rule sets a $20 amended-license fee (for a director or capacity/star change) and a $25 late-renewal fee (8.16.2.11 NMAC); the rule does not state the amount of any initial license or registration application fee, instead referring to "the required fee" without specifying it, so a no-application-fee claim could not be verified against a New Mexico .gov source.	Licenses are issued annually for a one-year period and the renewal application must be submitted "along with the required fee" at least 30 days before expiration; applications postmarked fewer than 30 days before expiration incur a $25 late fee (8.16.2.11 NMAC). The rule references a required renewal fee but does not state its dollar amount, so the specific renewal fee amount could not be verified against a New Mexico .gov source.
New York	New York State OCFS charges no state application or registration fee for a child care license or registration; the prospective provider completes a free OCFS Child Day Care Orientation and submits a free application through the Facility Application and Management System (FAMS), and 18 NYCRR 417.2 contains no application-fee provision (18 NYCRR 417.2; ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/providers). Note: New York City programs may owe a separate NYC permit fee, but the state imposes none.	New York State OCFS charges no state renewal fee; a family day care registration is valid for two years initially and four years on renewal, with renewal materials due at least 60 days before the expiration date at no state cost (18 NYCRR 417.2).
North Carolina	North Carolina does not codify a separate statewide initial license application fee for child care centers or family child care homes; the only fee set by statute is the recurring Annual License Fee under N.C. Gen. Stat. 110-90(1a). Before licensure, prospective providers must attend a DCDEE Pre-Licensing Workshop, which is part of both the family child care home and child care center application process (NCDHHS/DCDEE, "Getting a License"). [The absence of any separate application fee is an inference from the statute and DCDEE fee materials, not an affirmative "no application fee" statement on a .gov page.]	North Carolina assesses an Annual License Fee, payable online for the current calendar year, of $52.00 for a family child care home, $52.00 for a center with capacity of 0-12 (12 or fewer children), $187.00 for capacity 13-50, $375.00 for capacity 51-100, and $600.00 for capacity 101 or more; the fee is based on the licensed capacity printed on the license, and state, public-school, and religious-sponsored (Notice of Compliance) facilities are exempt (NCDHHS/DCDEE Annual License Fee page and FAQ, citing N.C. Gen. Stat. 110-90(1a)).
North Dakota	The nonrefundable annual license fee is twenty dollars for a family child care (or thirty-five dollars for a two-year license), twenty-five dollars for group child care (forty-five for two years), thirty dollars for a preschool (fifty-five for two years), forty dollars for a child care center (seventy-five for two years), and fifty dollars for a multiple licensed program (ninety-five for two years) (NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)).	A license renewal uses the same nonrefundable fee schedule as the initial application (e.g., twenty dollars annually or thirty-five dollars for a two-year family child care license) and must be filed at least sixty days and no more than ninety days before expiration; if submitted less than sixty days before expiration, the applicant must pay two times the nonrefundable fees, and a license may not be effective for longer than two years (NDCC 50-11.1-03(8) and 50-11.1-04).
Ohio	Ohio's initial licensing application fee is $50 for a child care center and $25 for a family child care provider (Type A or Type B), paid nonrefundably to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) through the OCLQS system; the rule for centers states 'submit the fee of fifty dollars to the Ohio department of job and family services' and the family-provider rule states 'submit the fee of twenty-five dollars' (OAC 5180:2-12-02 for centers and OAC 5180:2-13-02 for family child care providers, both eff. 10/29/2021).	Contact your Ohio licensing office to confirm.
Oklahoma	No application or registration fee is specified in Oklahoma's child care licensing rules — neither the family child care home requirements (OAC 340:110-3-82) nor the child care center requirements (OAC 340:110-3-276) impose a fee; a request for a license is made on DHS forms with no fee stated (OAC 340:110-3-276).	No license renewal fee is specified in Oklahoma licensing rules; authorization to operate is maintained on the basis of complying with licensing requirements, with no renewal fee stated (OAC 340:110-3-82; OAC 340:110-3-276).
Oregon	The initial application/filing fee for a Registered Family Child Care home is a non-refundable $30, which may be reduced or waived if the applicant documents income below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (OAR 414-210-0130(2)); a Certified Child Care Center pays a non-refundable initial fee of $100 plus $2 for each certified space (e.g., $160 for a 30-child capacity) (OAR 414-305-0130(4)(a); Oregon DELC certified-center fee schedule).	A Registered Family Child Care home pays the same non-refundable $30 filing fee at each renewal, and the registration is valid for no more than two (2) years (OAR 414-210-0130(2) and 414-210-0140(3)); a Certified Child Care Center renews annually at $2 for each licensed capacity space, and the certificate is valid for no more than one (1) year (OAR 414-305-0130(4)(b); certificate term per Oregon DELC certified-center rules).
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania charges no application fee for child care certification; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.11 (centers) and § 3290.11 (family child care homes) require a Certificate of Compliance and a free Department (DHS) orientation but contain no fee provision, and the official Application for Certificate of Compliance form lists no filing fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).	Pennsylvania charges no renewal fee for child care certification; the Certificate of Compliance is issued for a period not to exceed 12 months and is renewed at no cost, as the regulations specify no fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).
Rhode Island	The nonrefundable initial license application fee, paid to the State of Rhode Island, is $100 for a Family Daycare Home, $250 for a Group Family Daycare Home, and $500 for a Child Daycare Center (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.5-5(2)).	Contact your Rhode Island licensing office to confirm.
South Carolina	South Carolina's child care statute and licensing regulations specify no application, license, or registration fee; the only fees authorized are for background checks, which 'shall not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration' and are borne by the applicant or facility, not as a license fee (S.C. Code 63-13-40(D)(10), 63-13-420, 63-13-620, 63-13-820; SC Regulations for the Licensing of Child Care Centers, R.114-500 et seq., eff. June 22, 2018; SC DSS Brochure 501).	No renewal fee is specified in South Carolina's child care statute or regulations; the Department initiates the center license/approval renewal process 120 days before expiration (S.C. Reg. 114-502.F, eff. June 22, 2018), a regular center license is valid for two years (S.C. Reg. 114-502.B.(1)), and a family childcare home registration expires one year from issuance (S.C. Code 63-13-830(B)), with no renewal fee stated in any of these provisions.
South Dakota	Contact your South Dakota licensing office to confirm.	Contact your South Dakota licensing office to confirm.
Tennessee	Tennessee's licensing fee schedule (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-05-.03, paragraph (14), effective January 1, 2001) sets the annual license/application fee at $100.00 for a family child care home, $125.00 for a group child care home, $200.00 for a child care center serving fewer than 100 children (and a drop-in center), $400.00 for a center serving more than 100 children, and $500.00 for a center serving more than 250 children (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-05-.03).	Tennessee charges the same fee schedule for renewals as for initial licenses, and providers may pay an annual, biennial (two-year), or triennial (three-year) fee: for a family child care home $100.00 annual / $150.00 biennial / $175.00 triennial; group child care home $125.00 / $175.00 / $200.00; center under 100 children (and drop-in center) $200.00 / $250.00 / $300.00; center over 100 children $400.00 / $450.00 / $500.00; center over 250 children $500.00 / $550.00 / $600.00 (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-05-.03, paragraph (14)).
Texas	Contact your Texas licensing office to confirm.	Contact your Texas licensing office to confirm.
Utah	Utah charges a single $62.00 "License or Certificate Fee" that applies to both new and renewal applications for any program type (family child care home, residential certificate, or center); new centers pay an additional one-time $200.00 New Center Fee plus a $1.75 per-child capacity fee (Center Per Child Fee), while family child care homes pay no such add-ons (Utah Child Care Licensing Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025).	The license/certificate renewal fee is $62.00, the same flat fee as a new application; centers additionally pay the $1.75-per-child Center Per Child Fee at renewal, and a $31.00 late-renewal fee (homes and centers) applies if a renewal request is received 1-30 days after expiration, plus $0.75 per child for centers (Utah Child Care Licensing Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025).
Vermont	Vermont imposes no state application or registration fee to become a licensed or registered child care provider; 33 V.S.A. chapter 35 authorizes no such fee (its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families), and the Family Child Care Home Licensing Regulations and the FCCH application Resource Guide contain no fee (Vermont DCF Child Development Division; 33 V.S.A. ch. 35).	No state renewal fee is charged; a full license is effective for three (3) years from the date of issuance, and the renewal procedures impose no fee (Vermont Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes § 2.3.6.1.2 and § 2.3.9; Center Based regs § 2.3.7.1.2 and § 2.3.10).
Virginia	Virginia's nonrefundable license application fee is set by licensed capacity for programs operating at least 12 weeks per year: $28 for capacity 1-12, $70 for 13-25, $140 for 26-50, $210 for 51-75, $280 for 76-200, and $400 for 201+ (with $50 for capacity 1-50 and $110 for capacity 51+ for programs running under 12 weeks; family day systems pay a $140 flat fee); the capacity-based schedule applies to child day programs (8VAC20-821-150).	Virginia issues licenses for a two-year period, and the same capacity-based fee in 8VAC20-821-150 ($28-$400 by licensed capacity) is charged at each two-year application cycle; no separate, lower renewal-only fee is specified (8VAC20-821-150).
Washington	Contact your Washington licensing office to confirm.	Contact your Washington licensing office to confirm.
West Virginia	West Virginia's child care licensing rules impose no initial application or registration fee for family child care homes, family child care facilities, or child care centers—no fee provision exists in 78 CSR 1 (Child Care Centers Licensing), 78 CSR 18 (Family Child Care Facility Licensing Requirements), or 78 CSR 19 (Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements) (verified: no fee provision in 78 CSR 1, 78 CSR 18, or 78 CSR 19).	West Virginia charges no license or registration renewal fee; a center license, family child care facility license, or family child care home certificate of registration is valid for up to two (2) years and is renewed by submitting an application—at least sixty (60) days before expiration for centers (78 CSR 1 §4.2.c) and facilities (78 CSR 18 §4.1.b), and at least thirty (30) days before expiration for homes (78 CSR 19 §4.1.b)—at no cost (validity periods: 78 CSR 1 §4.1.b; 78 CSR 18 §4.4.a; 78 CSR 19 §4.5.a; no fee provision exists in any of the three rules).
Wisconsin	A licensed family child care center (4-8 children, DCF 250) pays a $15.12 initial six-month probationary license fee, while a group child care center (DCF 251) pays a $45.68 non-refundable initial application fee plus a two-year fee of $30.25 base and $16.94 per child of licensed capacity (Wisconsin DCF Child Care Regulation Fees, dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccregulation/fees).	License continuation is biennial: a family child care center pays a $60.50 two-year fee, and a larger center (13 or more children) pays $30.25 plus $16.94 per child of licensed capacity for two years (Wis. Stat. s. 48.65(3)(a); Wisconsin DCF Child Care Regulation Fees).
Wyoming	Wyoming charges a nonrefundable initial licensing (application) fee of $25.00, submitted by all applicants regardless of facility type (WY Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2 'Licensing Process,' Section 9(a), effective April 2026). NOTE: the draft's $50.00 figure reflects the superseded 2012/2014 rules (then Ch.3 Sec.7); the current .gov rule sets the fee at $25.00.	Wyoming charges a nonrefundable license renewal fee of $25.00 for all licensed facilities, due upon the expiration date of the current license (WY Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2 'Licensing Process,' Section 9(b), effective April 2026). The license is issued for a one (1) year term/period (Chapter 2, Sections 4 and 8), not a biennial cycle; the draft's 'biennial (two-year) licensure cycle' characterization could not be confirmed and conflicts with the one-year-license language in the current rules (the two-year 'biennium' applies to staff training cycles, not the license term).

Alabama

Application fee: Alabama's Child Care Act and the DHR Minimum Standards impose no application or registration fee; Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-4 requires only submission of the application form and a Department inspection/investigation, with no fee provision (no fee language appears in Title 38 Chapter 7 or in the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers or for Family Day Care Homes, both effective Sept. 30, 2019).
Renewal fee: No renewal fee is established by Alabama law; licenses are valid for two years from the date issued and are renewed by reapplication and Department reexamination, with no fee specified (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-5(a) [two-year validity] and sec. 38-7-6 [renewal/reexamination]).

Alaska

Application fee: Contact your Alaska licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: Contact your Alaska licensing office to confirm.

Arizona

Application fee: Arizona Department of Health Services child care facility (center) annual license fees, as amended effective Aug. 3, 2025, are tiered by licensed capacity: $330 for 5 to 10 children, $1,330 for 11 to 59 children, and $2,575 for 60 or more children; the fee (or one-half with the application and the remainder due no later than 120 calendar days after the license anniversary date) is submitted no more than 60 calendar days before the anniversary date (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-205 and R9-5-206, Supp. 25-2, effective Aug. 3, 2025; 31 A.A.R. 2015). Family child care homes (1 to 4 unrelated children) are certified by the Department of Economic Security, not licensed by ADHS.
Renewal fee: Arizona collects the same capacity-based fee on an annual basis rather than a separate renewal fee: $330 (5 to 10 children), $1,330 (11 to 59), or $2,575 (60 or more) are due each year, payable in full with the application or one-half with the application and the balance no later than 120 calendar days after the license anniversary date (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-205 and R9-5-206, Supp. 25-2, effective Aug. 3, 2025; A.R.S. § 36-882 authorizes annual fees).

Arkansas

Application fee: Arkansas charges no separate flat application fee; a grep of the statute and both Minimum Licensing Requirements documents returns no 'application fee.' The only fee is the statutory annual license fee, set by capacity and paid at the annual licensing or renewal date: $15.00/year for facilities serving fewer than 17 children (the rate for a Child Care Family Home), $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Child Care Center MLR 104.1.a-c).
Renewal fee: The license fee is an annual fee charged at each annual licensing or renewal date, identical to the initial fee: $15.00/year for fewer than 17 children, $50.00/year for 17-99 children, and $100.00/year for 100 or more children (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-78-223; Family Home MLR 104.1; Center MLR 104.1). There is no distinct renewal fee beyond this annual fee.

California

Application fee: The original application fee is $73 for a small family child care home (capacity 1-8) and $140 for a large family child care home (capacity 9-14); child care centers pay by capacity tier, ranging from $484 (1-30) and $968 (31-60) up to $2,420 (121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803.
Renewal fee: An annual fee is charged on each license anniversary date: family child care homes pay the same as the application fee ($73 small / $140 large), while child care centers pay roughly half the application fee (e.g., $242 for 1-30, $484 for 31-60, capped at $1,210 for 121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803; a one-time orientation fee of $25 (family child care home) or $50 (child care center) per attendee also applies.

Colorado

Application fee: The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.)
Renewal fee: The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child; 31+ centers: $300.00 base + $3.00/child), per the fee schedule in 8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES (effective July 1, 2020). A discounted continuation fee of up to 50% is available to certain Colorado Shines level 3-5 facilities serving high proportions of CCCAP children.

Connecticut

Application fee: The initial license application fee for a family child care home is forty dollars ($40), per Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-87b(d). For larger programs the licensing fee is collected prior to issuing the license: $500 for a child care center and $250 for a group child care home, per Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-80(b)(2).
Renewal fee: License renewal fees equal the initial fees and all licenses run on a four-year term: $40 to renew a family child care home (Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-87b(d), which provides the fee "prior to issuing or renewing"); $500 to renew a child care center and $250 to renew a group child care home, each collected "prior to issuing or renewing a license for a term of four years" (Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-80(b)(2)).

Delaware

Application fee: Contact your Delaware licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: No renewal fee is specified in Delaware's DELACARE regulations; licenses are renewed annually with the renewal application due at least 60 days before the license expires and no fee charged (DELACARE Regs for Family and Large Family Child Care Homes, Sec. 8 License Renewal; DELACARE Regs for Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers, Sec. 8 License Renewal).

Florida

Application fee: The child care facility/center license fee is $1 per child of licensed capacity, with a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $100 per facility; a registered family day care home pays $25, a licensed family day care home pays $50, and a large family child care home pays $60 (Fla. Stat. 402.315(3)).
Renewal fee: Every child care facility license shall be renewed annually under Fla. Stat. 402.308(1), and the same statutory fee schedule in Fla. Stat. 402.315(3) applies at each annual renewal (center $1/child, minimum $25/maximum $100; registered family day care home $25; licensed family day care home $50; large family child care home $60); no separate renewal-only fee is set in statute.

Georgia

Application fee: Georgia charges no separate initial application fee; the only charge is the license fee, which for a Family Child Care Learning Home is a flat $50.00 annual fee (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f)), and for a Child Care Learning Center is a capacity-based annual fee of $50 (25 or fewer), $100 (26-50), $150 (51-100), $200 (101-200), or $250 (over 200) per the DECAL License Fee schedule (decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx).
Renewal fee: The license fee is annual and equals the same amount as the initial fee — $50.00 per year for a Family Child Care Learning Home and the capacity-based $50-$250 per year for a Child Care Learning Center, payable by the date set by the Department; a late fee of up to $250.00 may be imposed if not paid by the due date (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f); DECAL License Fee Information page).

Hawaii

Application fee: Contact your Hawaii licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: Hawaii's administrative rules specify no renewal fee in dollars; certificates of registration (family child care homes) and licenses (group and infant/toddler centers) are valid one year for new applicants and providers in their first four years and two years for providers licensed/registered four years or more, renewed by application and department approval (HAR §§ 17-891.1-3(i); 17-895-3(j); HRS §§ 346-163(a), 346-171). Although HRS §§ 346-163(b)/346-173(b) authorize the department to set renewal fees by rule, a specific renewal-fee dollar amount could not be verified against a Hawaii .gov source.

Idaho

Application fee: Idaho's total daycare license fee shall not exceed $100 for all other daycare facilities (family/group), $250 for a daycare center with thirteen (13) to twenty-five (25) children, and $325 for a daycare center with more than twenty-five (25) children, plus criminal history background-check fees at actual cost; no other fees shall be charged per license period (Idaho Code 39-1107(1)).
Renewal fee: The basic daycare license is valid for two (2) years and is renewed by submitting the renewal application with "the required renewal fee" and a criminal history check; Idaho sets no separate higher renewal amount, and "no other fees shall be charged for each license period," so the same fee cap ($100 family/group; $250 center 13-25; $325 center 25+) applies (Idaho Code 39-1106(1)-(2) and 39-1107(1)).

Illinois

Application fee: There is no application/license fee in Illinois: the day care home rule states "There shall be no fee or charge for the license" (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.6) and "There shall be no fee or charge for the permit" (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.7); day care centers are likewise fee-free under 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.
Renewal fee: No renewal fee; Illinois DCFS charges no fee for issuance or renewal of a day care home license, which is valid for 3 years unless revoked or surrendered (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406.6).

Indiana

Application fee: Contact your Indiana licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: Contact your Indiana licensing office to confirm.

Iowa

Application fee: A child care CENTER pays a one-time-per-license regulatory fee due at issuance, tiered by capacity: $50 for 0-20 children, $75 for 21-50, $100 for 51-100, $125 for 101-150, and $150 for 151 or more (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-109.2(5)). A child development HOME (family child care) is charged no registration fee in practice — the official HHS Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143) and application packet include no fee — although Iowa Code section 237A.4A authorizes a tiered regulatory fee capped at $150 for category "A" and "B" homes and $187 for category "C" homes (Iowa Code 237A.4A(1)(b)-(c)).
Renewal fee: A child care center license is issued for 24 months and the same capacity-based regulatory fee ($50-$150) is due at each renewal; regulatory fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-109.2(5)). A child development home renews its registration every 24 months with no renewal fee charged in practice (Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-110.3 specifies the 24-month renewal and lists no fee).

Kansas

Application fee: For a day care home, group day care home, or child care center, the nonrefundable license/application fee is $75 plus $1 times the maximum number of children to be authorized under the license; for a preschool the fee is $15 if license capacity is 12 or fewer children, or $35 plus $1 per child not to exceed $75 if capacity is 13 or more children (K.A.R. 28-4-92).
Renewal fee: The same license fee schedule applies at renewal and is paid annually; per K.S.A. 65-505 the license fee "shall be paid to the secretary of health and environment when the license is applied for and annually thereafter," and any licensee who fails to renew within 30 days after expiration "shall pay to the secretary the renewal fee plus a late fee in an amount of $75 or equal to the fee for the renewal of a license, whichever is greater" (K.S.A. 65-505).

Kentucky

Application fee: Kentucky charges a nonrefundable initial certification fee of ten dollars ($10) for a family child-care home and a nonrefundable initial licensing fee of fifty dollars ($50) for a child-care center (922 KAR 2:100 Section 2(2)(c)2; 922 KAR 2:090 Section 7(1)).
Renewal fee: Kentucky's family child-care home renewal fee is ten dollars ($10) every two (2) years (biennial), while a child-care center pays a twenty-five dollar ($25) renewal fee (922 KAR 2:100 Section 3(2)(b); 922 KAR 2:090 Section 7(2)).

Louisiana

Application fee: For an early learning center, an administrative fee of $25 is submitted with each application for initial licensure and is applied toward the total licensure fee, and the annual licensure fee itself is then set by licensed capacity ($25 for 15 or fewer children; $100 for 16-50; $175 for 51-100; $250 for 101 or more), with Type I centers operated by churches/religious organizations exempt from the annual licensure fee; a family child care home additionally pays a separate $30 Office of State Fire Marshal fee (called a $30 application fee by LDOE and a $30 inspection fee by the Fire Marshal) during registration (La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §707 and §313; LDOE in-home/family provider registration steps).
Renewal fee: There is no separate renewal-only fee: the full annual licensure fee based on licensed capacity, as provided in §313 ($25 / $100 / $175 / $250 by capacity tier), must be submitted with all renewal applications, the same schedule used at initial licensure (La. Admin. Code tit. 28, Pt. CLXI, §707.A.2 and §313).

Maine

Application fee: Family child care home: the application fee for a provisional license is $80.00 and the fee for a full license or its biennial renewal is $160.00 (a temporary license is $10.00) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.6, §3.A.7, §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the application fee for a provisional or temporary license is $120.00 (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Application fee').
Renewal fee: Family child care home: $160.00 biennial renewal (same as the full-license fee) (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §3.A.8). Child Care Facility / Center: the biennial renewal fee is $240.00, assessed for a full or conditional license (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §2.8, 'Renewal fee').

Maryland

Application fee: Maryland charges no application fee for either a child care center license or a family child care home registration; the COMAR application sections (COMAR 13A.16.02.02 and 13A.15.02.01) prescribe no fee, and the State's official OneStop child care licensing portal lists the application cost as $0.00.
Renewal fee: Maryland charges no renewal fee; a license or registration is maintained by submitting required documentation every two years (a continuing application) at no cost, per the Maryland OneStop child care licensing and registration portal.

Massachusetts

Application fee: Contact your Massachusetts licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: Contact your Massachusetts licensing office to confirm.

Michigan

Application fee: Original license application fees are $50.00 for a family child care home and $100.00 for a group child care home; child care center original license fees are $150.00 (capacity 1-20), $200.00 (21-50), $250.00 (51-100), and $300.00 (over 100) (MCL 722.115m).
Renewal fee: License renewal fees are half the original amounts: $25.00 family child care home, $50.00 group child care home, and $75.00/$100.00/$125.00/$150.00 for child care centers by capacity tier (1-20/21-50/51-100/over-100); a regular Michigan child care license is effective for 2 years and must be renewed biennially (renewal fees per MCL 722.115m; 2-year/biennial term per MCL 722.118).

Minnesota

Application fee: Child care centers pay a $500 application fee that is nonrefundable and not prorated and is in lieu of the annual license fee that expires on December 31 (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 3). No application or license fee is charged by the state for family or group family child care, but a county agency may charge a license fee not to exceed $50 for a one-year license or $100 for a two-year license (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 1(b) for the no-state-fee rule and subd. 2 for the discretionary county fee).
Renewal fee: Child care center licenses carry an annual license fee scaled to licensed capacity, ranging from $200 (capacity 1-24) up to $1,100 (capacity 225 or more), and the license expires December 31 each year (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 4(a)). Family and group family child care have no state renewal fee; a county agency may charge up to $50 for a one-year license or $100 for a two-year license (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 1(b) and subd. 2).

Mississippi

Application fee: The initial license application fee is $130.00, and it is the same for a child care facility for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home as for a child care center (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(1) and home Rule 2.2.4(1), Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).
Renewal fee: The license renewal fee for a center is paid annually and is tiered by licensed capacity: $97.50 for a maximum capacity of 12 or fewer, $195.00 for 13-30, $260.00 for 31-50, $390.00 for 51-100, $455.00 for 101-150, and $520.00 for 151 or more (home-based facilities pay the flat $97.50 tier); licenses are renewed annually (MSDH center Rule 1.2.4(3) and Rule 1.2.7; home Rule 2.2.4(3) and Rule 2.2.8, Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-8).

Missouri

Application fee: No application or licensing fee is set in Missouri's family child care home rules — 5 CSR 25-400.045 (Licensing Process) describes the free licensing orientation, application form, and inspection with no dollar fee, and DESE's official "Start a Family Child Care Home" page lists the free Child Care Licensing Orientation as the first step and states no application or licensing fee (5 CSR 25-400.045).
Renewal fee: No renewal fee is set in Missouri's family child care home rules — instead of a fee, the licensee must submit an Annual Declaration for Licensed Facility form to the department at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the anniversary date printed on the license, with no fee stated (5 CSR 25-400.055(1)(A)).

Montana

Application fee: Montana charges no application or registration fee for child care. ARM 37.95.106(3)-(4) lists what an applicant must provide for a center license or a family/group home registration (fire-marshal and health inspection reports, current fire and liability insurance, satisfactory background-check results, an emergency disaster plan, and staff/health attestations), and the department's duties in 52-2-704, MCA list its responsibilities, but no dollar application or registration fee is set anywhere in ARM Title 37, chapter 95 (ARM 37.95.106; 52-2-704, MCA).
Renewal fee: Montana charges no renewal fee for child care. Regular registration certificates and licenses are issued for periods up to three years (ARM 37.95.108(7)), and renewal applications must be made by the provider at least 30 days prior to expiration of the license or registration certificate (ARM 37.95.106(5)); no dollar renewal fee is set in ARM Title 37, chapter 95.

Nebraska

Application fee: Nebraska charges a capacity-based license fee with no separate family-home-vs-center distinction: a $25 fee at initial application for a program licensed for fewer than 30 children, and $50 for a program licensed for 30 or more children, paid "at the time of initial application and annually thereafter" (Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-1911.01(1)-(2)).
Renewal fee: The renewal fee equals the initial fee and is paid annually: $25 per year for capacity under 30 children and $50 per year for capacity of 30 or more children, due "at the time of initial application and annually thereafter," with operating licenses remaining in effect subject to annual inspections and fees (Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-1911.01 and 71-1911(6)).

Nevada

Application fee: Per the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, child care licensing application fees are: Family Care home (up to 6 children) $20; Group Care home (up to 12 children) $60; and Centers (13 children or more) range from $100 up to $300 (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide; fee-setting authority NRS 432A.143/432A.146).
Renewal fee: Not published as a separate renewal dollar amount in Nevada's child care licensing materials; a Nevada child care license is effective for not more than 1 year and is renewed for 1-year terms (NRS 432A.141), and the State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide publishes only the schedule of application fees (Family Care $20, Group Care $60, Centers $100-$300).

New Hampshire

Application fee: New Hampshire's child care licensing rules establish no application or permit fee: the application/permit process in He-C 4002.02 sets no dollar amount and RSA 170-E contains no child-day-care licensing-fee section, so no application fee is stated in the rule (He-C 4002.02; RSA 170-E).
Renewal fee: No license renewal fee is set in New Hampshire's rules; on renewal the department issues a 3-year license with no stated cost, and renewal applications are due no less than 3 months prior to the expiration date of the current license (He-C 4002.02).

New Jersey

Application fee: Child care center initial license fees are tiered by licensed capacity for a three-year license: $110 (6-15 children), $140 (16-30), $165 (31-60), $195 (61-100), $220 (101-180), and $250 (181 or more); Head Start and non-fee school-age programs pay a flat $110, and a registered Family Child Care home pays a $25 registration fee collected by its sponsoring organization (N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.1; N.J.A.C. 3A:54-4.5).
Renewal fee: Child care center renewal uses the same capacity-tiered fee schedule as the initial application ($110-$250 per three-year license term); a Family Child Care home pays a $25 registration fee upon issuance of each initial or renewal regular Certificate of Registration (N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.1; N.J.A.C. 3A:54-4.5).

New Mexico

Application fee: New Mexico's child care licensing rule sets a $20 amended-license fee (for a director or capacity/star change) and a $25 late-renewal fee (8.16.2.11 NMAC); the rule does not state the amount of any initial license or registration application fee, instead referring to "the required fee" without specifying it, so a no-application-fee claim could not be verified against a New Mexico .gov source.
Renewal fee: Licenses are issued annually for a one-year period and the renewal application must be submitted "along with the required fee" at least 30 days before expiration; applications postmarked fewer than 30 days before expiration incur a $25 late fee (8.16.2.11 NMAC). The rule references a required renewal fee but does not state its dollar amount, so the specific renewal fee amount could not be verified against a New Mexico .gov source.

New York

Application fee: New York State OCFS charges no state application or registration fee for a child care license or registration; the prospective provider completes a free OCFS Child Day Care Orientation and submits a free application through the Facility Application and Management System (FAMS), and 18 NYCRR 417.2 contains no application-fee provision (18 NYCRR 417.2; ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/providers). Note: New York City programs may owe a separate NYC permit fee, but the state imposes none.
Renewal fee: New York State OCFS charges no state renewal fee; a family day care registration is valid for two years initially and four years on renewal, with renewal materials due at least 60 days before the expiration date at no state cost (18 NYCRR 417.2).

North Carolina

Application fee: North Carolina does not codify a separate statewide initial license application fee for child care centers or family child care homes; the only fee set by statute is the recurring Annual License Fee under N.C. Gen. Stat. 110-90(1a). Before licensure, prospective providers must attend a DCDEE Pre-Licensing Workshop, which is part of both the family child care home and child care center application process (NCDHHS/DCDEE, "Getting a License"). [The absence of any separate application fee is an inference from the statute and DCDEE fee materials, not an affirmative "no application fee" statement on a .gov page.]
Renewal fee: North Carolina assesses an Annual License Fee, payable online for the current calendar year, of $52.00 for a family child care home, $52.00 for a center with capacity of 0-12 (12 or fewer children), $187.00 for capacity 13-50, $375.00 for capacity 51-100, and $600.00 for capacity 101 or more; the fee is based on the licensed capacity printed on the license, and state, public-school, and religious-sponsored (Notice of Compliance) facilities are exempt (NCDHHS/DCDEE Annual License Fee page and FAQ, citing N.C. Gen. Stat. 110-90(1a)).

North Dakota

Application fee: The nonrefundable annual license fee is twenty dollars for a family child care (or thirty-five dollars for a two-year license), twenty-five dollars for group child care (forty-five for two years), thirty dollars for a preschool (fifty-five for two years), forty dollars for a child care center (seventy-five for two years), and fifty dollars for a multiple licensed program (ninety-five for two years) (NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)).
Renewal fee: A license renewal uses the same nonrefundable fee schedule as the initial application (e.g., twenty dollars annually or thirty-five dollars for a two-year family child care license) and must be filed at least sixty days and no more than ninety days before expiration; if submitted less than sixty days before expiration, the applicant must pay two times the nonrefundable fees, and a license may not be effective for longer than two years (NDCC 50-11.1-03(8) and 50-11.1-04).

Ohio

Application fee: Ohio's initial licensing application fee is $50 for a child care center and $25 for a family child care provider (Type A or Type B), paid nonrefundably to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) through the OCLQS system; the rule for centers states 'submit the fee of fifty dollars to the Ohio department of job and family services' and the family-provider rule states 'submit the fee of twenty-five dollars' (OAC 5180:2-12-02 for centers and OAC 5180:2-13-02 for family child care providers, both eff. 10/29/2021).
Renewal fee: Contact your Ohio licensing office to confirm.

Oklahoma

Application fee: No application or registration fee is specified in Oklahoma's child care licensing rules — neither the family child care home requirements (OAC 340:110-3-82) nor the child care center requirements (OAC 340:110-3-276) impose a fee; a request for a license is made on DHS forms with no fee stated (OAC 340:110-3-276).
Renewal fee: No license renewal fee is specified in Oklahoma licensing rules; authorization to operate is maintained on the basis of complying with licensing requirements, with no renewal fee stated (OAC 340:110-3-82; OAC 340:110-3-276).

Oregon

Application fee: The initial application/filing fee for a Registered Family Child Care home is a non-refundable $30, which may be reduced or waived if the applicant documents income below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (OAR 414-210-0130(2)); a Certified Child Care Center pays a non-refundable initial fee of $100 plus $2 for each certified space (e.g., $160 for a 30-child capacity) (OAR 414-305-0130(4)(a); Oregon DELC certified-center fee schedule).
Renewal fee: A Registered Family Child Care home pays the same non-refundable $30 filing fee at each renewal, and the registration is valid for no more than two (2) years (OAR 414-210-0130(2) and 414-210-0140(3)); a Certified Child Care Center renews annually at $2 for each licensed capacity space, and the certificate is valid for no more than one (1) year (OAR 414-305-0130(4)(b); certificate term per Oregon DELC certified-center rules).

Pennsylvania

Application fee: Pennsylvania charges no application fee for child care certification; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.11 (centers) and § 3290.11 (family child care homes) require a Certificate of Compliance and a free Department (DHS) orientation but contain no fee provision, and the official Application for Certificate of Compliance form lists no filing fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).
Renewal fee: Pennsylvania charges no renewal fee for child care certification; the Certificate of Compliance is issued for a period not to exceed 12 months and is renewed at no cost, as the regulations specify no fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).

Rhode Island

Application fee: The nonrefundable initial license application fee, paid to the State of Rhode Island, is $100 for a Family Daycare Home, $250 for a Group Family Daycare Home, and $500 for a Child Daycare Center (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12.5-5(2)).
Renewal fee: Contact your Rhode Island licensing office to confirm.

South Carolina

Application fee: South Carolina's child care statute and licensing regulations specify no application, license, or registration fee; the only fees authorized are for background checks, which 'shall not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration' and are borne by the applicant or facility, not as a license fee (S.C. Code 63-13-40(D)(10), 63-13-420, 63-13-620, 63-13-820; SC Regulations for the Licensing of Child Care Centers, R.114-500 et seq., eff. June 22, 2018; SC DSS Brochure 501).
Renewal fee: No renewal fee is specified in South Carolina's child care statute or regulations; the Department initiates the center license/approval renewal process 120 days before expiration (S.C. Reg. 114-502.F, eff. June 22, 2018), a regular center license is valid for two years (S.C. Reg. 114-502.B.(1)), and a family childcare home registration expires one year from issuance (S.C. Code 63-13-830(B)), with no renewal fee stated in any of these provisions.

South Dakota

Application fee: Contact your South Dakota licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: Contact your South Dakota licensing office to confirm.

Tennessee

Application fee: Tennessee's licensing fee schedule (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-05-.03, paragraph (14), effective January 1, 2001) sets the annual license/application fee at $100.00 for a family child care home, $125.00 for a group child care home, $200.00 for a child care center serving fewer than 100 children (and a drop-in center), $400.00 for a center serving more than 100 children, and $500.00 for a center serving more than 250 children (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-05-.03).
Renewal fee: Tennessee charges the same fee schedule for renewals as for initial licenses, and providers may pay an annual, biennial (two-year), or triennial (three-year) fee: for a family child care home $100.00 annual / $150.00 biennial / $175.00 triennial; group child care home $125.00 / $175.00 / $200.00; center under 100 children (and drop-in center) $200.00 / $250.00 / $300.00; center over 100 children $400.00 / $450.00 / $500.00; center over 250 children $500.00 / $550.00 / $600.00 (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-05-.03, paragraph (14)).

Texas

Application fee: Contact your Texas licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: Contact your Texas licensing office to confirm.

Utah

Application fee: Utah charges a single $62.00 "License or Certificate Fee" that applies to both new and renewal applications for any program type (family child care home, residential certificate, or center); new centers pay an additional one-time $200.00 New Center Fee plus a $1.75 per-child capacity fee (Center Per Child Fee), while family child care homes pay no such add-ons (Utah Child Care Licensing Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025).
Renewal fee: The license/certificate renewal fee is $62.00, the same flat fee as a new application; centers additionally pay the $1.75-per-child Center Per Child Fee at renewal, and a $31.00 late-renewal fee (homes and centers) applies if a renewal request is received 1-30 days after expiration, plus $0.75 per child for centers (Utah Child Care Licensing Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025).

Vermont

Application fee: Vermont imposes no state application or registration fee to become a licensed or registered child care provider; 33 V.S.A. chapter 35 authorizes no such fee (its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families), and the Family Child Care Home Licensing Regulations and the FCCH application Resource Guide contain no fee (Vermont DCF Child Development Division; 33 V.S.A. ch. 35).
Renewal fee: No state renewal fee is charged; a full license is effective for three (3) years from the date of issuance, and the renewal procedures impose no fee (Vermont Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes § 2.3.6.1.2 and § 2.3.9; Center Based regs § 2.3.7.1.2 and § 2.3.10).

Virginia

Application fee: Virginia's nonrefundable license application fee is set by licensed capacity for programs operating at least 12 weeks per year: $28 for capacity 1-12, $70 for 13-25, $140 for 26-50, $210 for 51-75, $280 for 76-200, and $400 for 201+ (with $50 for capacity 1-50 and $110 for capacity 51+ for programs running under 12 weeks; family day systems pay a $140 flat fee); the capacity-based schedule applies to child day programs (8VAC20-821-150).
Renewal fee: Virginia issues licenses for a two-year period, and the same capacity-based fee in 8VAC20-821-150 ($28-$400 by licensed capacity) is charged at each two-year application cycle; no separate, lower renewal-only fee is specified (8VAC20-821-150).

Washington

Application fee: Contact your Washington licensing office to confirm.
Renewal fee: Contact your Washington licensing office to confirm.

West Virginia

Application fee: West Virginia's child care licensing rules impose no initial application or registration fee for family child care homes, family child care facilities, or child care centers—no fee provision exists in 78 CSR 1 (Child Care Centers Licensing), 78 CSR 18 (Family Child Care Facility Licensing Requirements), or 78 CSR 19 (Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements) (verified: no fee provision in 78 CSR 1, 78 CSR 18, or 78 CSR 19).
Renewal fee: West Virginia charges no license or registration renewal fee; a center license, family child care facility license, or family child care home certificate of registration is valid for up to two (2) years and is renewed by submitting an application—at least sixty (60) days before expiration for centers (78 CSR 1 §4.2.c) and facilities (78 CSR 18 §4.1.b), and at least thirty (30) days before expiration for homes (78 CSR 19 §4.1.b)—at no cost (validity periods: 78 CSR 1 §4.1.b; 78 CSR 18 §4.4.a; 78 CSR 19 §4.5.a; no fee provision exists in any of the three rules).

Wisconsin

Application fee: A licensed family child care center (4-8 children, DCF 250) pays a $15.12 initial six-month probationary license fee, while a group child care center (DCF 251) pays a $45.68 non-refundable initial application fee plus a two-year fee of $30.25 base and $16.94 per child of licensed capacity (Wisconsin DCF Child Care Regulation Fees, dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccregulation/fees).
Renewal fee: License continuation is biennial: a family child care center pays a $60.50 two-year fee, and a larger center (13 or more children) pays $30.25 plus $16.94 per child of licensed capacity for two years (Wis. Stat. s. 48.65(3)(a); Wisconsin DCF Child Care Regulation Fees).

Wyoming

Application fee: Wyoming charges a nonrefundable initial licensing (application) fee of $25.00, submitted by all applicants regardless of facility type (WY Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2 'Licensing Process,' Section 9(a), effective April 2026). NOTE: the draft's $50.00 figure reflects the superseded 2012/2014 rules (then Ch.3 Sec.7); the current .gov rule sets the fee at $25.00.
Renewal fee: Wyoming charges a nonrefundable license renewal fee of $25.00 for all licensed facilities, due upon the expiration date of the current license (WY Child Care Licensing Rules, Chapter 2 'Licensing Process,' Section 9(b), effective April 2026). The license is issued for a one (1) year term/period (Chapter 2, Sections 4 and 8), not a biennial cycle; the draft's 'biennial (two-year) licensure cycle' characterization could not be confirmed and conflicts with the one-year-license language in the current rules (the two-year 'biennium' applies to staff training cycles, not the license term).

Frequently asked questions about childcare licensing fees

How much does a daycare license cost?: The licensing fee itself is usually small. Many states charge nothing for the application — New York, Alabama, and Delaware set no state licensing fee at all — while others charge a flat amount or scale by capacity. California charges $73 to apply for a small family child care home and $140 for a large one, with centers paying $484 and up by capacity tier. The fee is only the government processing cost; background checks, training, and insurance add far more to a real first-year budget.
What is the cheapest state to get a daycare license?: Several states charge no state licensing fee. New York's OCFS charges no application or registration fee, Alabama's Child Care Act sets no application or renewal fee, and Delaware's DELACARE rules charge no fee for homes or centers. A low or zero licensing fee does not mean low startup costs, though — background checks, required training hours, and facility upgrades vary widely and usually dwarf the application fee.
Is the daycare license renewal fee the same as the application fee?: In most states, yes. States that charge an annual or biennial license fee typically bill the same amount at renewal as at first application — California family child care homes pay $73 each year, and Arkansas charges its $15/$50/$100 capacity-based fee at each renewal. A handful of states charge a reduced renewal or no renewal fee at all. Always confirm the current amount with your licensing office.
Do home daycares and childcare centers pay different licensing fees?: Often, yes. Family child care homes (run out of a residence) usually pay a low flat fee, while childcare centers pay more — frequently scaled by licensed capacity. California, for example, charges $73 for a small family child care home but $484 to $2,420 for a center depending on size. Where a state's fee depends on whether you run a home or a center, the per-state entries below spell out both.
How do I find the exact licensing fee for my state?: Find your state in the table below and read the cited statute or administrative code. Licensing fees are amended regularly, so confirm the current amount with your state's childcare licensing office before you budget or submit payment. Each state's licensing page is linked from the TotReady state requirements directory.

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State Childcare Licensing Requirements

Full licensing rules, ratios, and required policies for your state.

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How Much Does a Daycare License Cost?

The full first-year cost breakdown — beyond the licensing fee itself.

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How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

From program type through opening day, step by step.

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Daycare Rules & Regulations Guide

What the regulations actually require, in plain language.

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Licensing application and renewal fees are compiled from published state administrative codes and statutes and are provided for informational purposes only. Fees change frequently — always verify the current amounts with your state's childcare licensing agency before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.