Do I need a license to start a daycare in Arizona?

A license is required only at five or more unrelated children: Arizona defines a "child care facility" as a facility in which child care is regularly provided for compensation for five or more children not related to the proprietor, so caring for four or fewer unrelated children falls below the licensing threshold (A.R.S. § 36-881). A "child care group home" (certified by ADHS) is a residential home caring for not less than five but no more than ten children through age 12 (A.R.S. § 36-897.01). Caring for four or fewer unrelated children is unlicensed by falling under the statutory definition, not via the enumerated exemptions in A.R.S. § 36-884 (which cover only parental/relative, religious, school, instructional, and recreational programs).

How much does it cost to get a daycare license in 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. Renewal: 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).

Who issues daycare licenses in Arizona?

Childcare licensing in Arizona is handled by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.

What training do I need before opening a daycare in Arizona?

Arizona does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; instead, within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee must provide and each child-care staff member must complete new-staff orientation training covering required topics (facility philosophy, child guidance, hand washing, diapering, recognition of illness, abuse/neglect detection and reporting, accident and emergency procedures, sun safety, and transportation/field-trip procedures if applicable) (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(A), Supp. 25-2).

Arizona Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Arizona (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Arizona means applying to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care, clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Arizona's licensing statutes.

Arizona Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Arizona launch budget and timeline.

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.
Annual 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).
Pre-service training: Arizona does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; instead, within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee must provide and each child-care staff member must complete new-staff orientation training covering required topics (facility philosophy, child guidance, hand washing, diapering, recognition of illness, abuse/neglect detection and reporting, accident and emergency procedures, sun safety, and transportation/field-trip procedures if applicable) (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(A), Supp. 25-2).
Annual training: Each child-care center staff member who provides child care services must complete 24 or more clock hours of training every 12 months under Arizona's rules amended effective Aug. 3, 2025 (increased from the prior 18 hours), covering at least two topic areas; a staff member with less than 12 months of child care experience must complete at least 12 hours in child growth and development topics in the first 12 months (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(B), Supp. 25-2; 31 A.A.R. 2015, effective Aug. 3, 2025).
License-exempt threshold: A license is required only at five or more unrelated children: Arizona defines a "child care facility" as a facility in which child care is regularly provided for compensation for five or more children not related to the proprietor, so caring for four or fewer unrelated children falls below the licensing threshold (A.R.S. § 36-881). A "child care group home" (certified by ADHS) is a residential home caring for not less than five but no more than ten children through age 12 (A.R.S. § 36-897.01). Caring for four or fewer unrelated children is unlicensed by falling under the statutory definition, not via the enumerated exemptions in A.R.S. § 36-884 (which cover only parental/relative, religious, school, instructional, and recreational programs).
Family child care capacity: Arizona family child care homes are certified by the Department of Economic Security: a provider may care for a maximum of four children for compensation at one time (birth through age 12), or a maximum of six children total when no more than four are for compensation and no more than two of the children in care are younger than age 1 unless they are a sibling group (Ariz. Admin. Code R6-5-5220). Homes of five to ten children are instead certified as "child care group homes" by ADHS, which require two staff members present when six to ten children are in care (A.R.S. § 36-897.01).
Indoor square footage: Arizona child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor activity space for each infant and 1-year-old child and at least 25 square feet of indoor activity space for each child who is not an infant or 1-year-old, plus at least 75 square feet of outdoor (or substituted indoor) activity area per child for at least 50% of the facility's licensed capacity (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-602, Supp. 25-2).
Inspection schedule: Annual; unannounced visits; complaint investigations

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Arizona

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Arizona's childcare licensing rules.

Research your state's rules
Confirm whether your program needs a license in Arizona. A license is required only at five or more unrelated children: Arizona defines a "child care facility" as a facility in which child care is regularly provided for compensation for five or more children not related to the proprietor, so caring for four or fewer unrelated children falls below the licensing threshold (A.R.S. § 36-881). A "child care group home" (certified by ADHS) is a residential home caring for not less than five but no more than ten children through age 12 (A.R.S. § 36-897.01). Caring for four or fewer unrelated children is unlicensed by falling under the statutory definition, not via the enumerated exemptions in A.R.S. § 36-884 (which cover only parental/relative, religious, school, instructional, and recreational programs).
Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.
Complete pre-service training & CPR
Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Arizona does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; instead, within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee must provide and each child-care staff member must complete new-staff orientation training covering required topics (facility philosophy, child guidance, hand washing, diapering, recognition of illness, abuse/neglect detection and reporting, accident and emergency procedures, sun safety, and transportation/field-trip procedures if applicable) (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(A), Supp. 25-2).
Plan for ongoing training too: Each child-care center staff member who provides child care services must complete 24 or more clock hours of training every 12 months under Arizona's rules amended effective Aug. 3, 2025 (increased from the prior 18 hours), covering at least two topic areas; a staff member with less than 12 months of child care experience must complete at least 12 hours in child growth and development topics in the first 12 months (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(B), Supp. 25-2; 31 A.A.R. 2015, effective Aug. 3, 2025).
Pass background checks
Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.
Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.
Prepare your facility
Set up a space that meets Arizona's facility standards. Arizona child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor activity space for each infant and 1-year-old child and at least 25 square feet of indoor activity space for each child who is not an infant or 1-year-old, plus at least 75 square feet of outdoor (or substituted indoor) activity area per child for at least 50% of the facility's licensed capacity (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-602, Supp. 25-2).
Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: Arizona family child care homes are certified by the Department of Economic Security: a provider may care for a maximum of four children for compensation at one time (birth through age 12), or a maximum of six children total when no more than four are for compensation and no more than two of the children in care are younger than age 1 unless they are a sibling group (Ariz. Admin. Code R6-5-5220). Homes of five to ten children are instead certified as "child care group homes" by ADHS, which require two staff members present when six to ten children are in care (A.R.S. § 36-897.01).
Submit your license application & fee
File your application with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care and pay the licensing 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.
Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.
Pass the licensing inspection
Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Annual; unannounced visits; complaint investigations
The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.
Open your doors
Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Arizona rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infant (0-12 months) 1:5, Toddler (12-24 months) 1:6, Toddler (24-36 months) 1:8, Preschool (3 years) 1:13, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:15
Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.
Enroll families
Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Arizona-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.
Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Arizona

Arizona licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

Enrollment Form
Emergency Medical Authorization
Health and Medical Record
Immunization Documentation
Medication Consent
Parent Handbook Receipt

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Arizona requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care: Infant (0-12 months) 1:5, Toddler (12-24 months) 1:6, Toddler (24-36 months) 1:8, Preschool (3 years) 1:13, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:15.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Arizona licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Arizona-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

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One-time purchase · Arizona-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Arizona: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Arizona?: A license is required only at five or more unrelated children: Arizona defines a "child care facility" as a facility in which child care is regularly provided for compensation for five or more children not related to the proprietor, so caring for four or fewer unrelated children falls below the licensing threshold (A.R.S. § 36-881). A "child care group home" (certified by ADHS) is a residential home caring for not less than five but no more than ten children through age 12 (A.R.S. § 36-897.01). Caring for four or fewer unrelated children is unlicensed by falling under the statutory definition, not via the enumerated exemptions in A.R.S. § 36-884 (which cover only parental/relative, religious, school, instructional, and recreational programs).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in 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. Renewal: 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).
Who issues daycare licenses in Arizona?: Childcare licensing in Arizona is handled by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Arizona?: Arizona does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; instead, within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee must provide and each child-care staff member must complete new-staff orientation training covering required topics (facility philosophy, child guidance, hand washing, diapering, recognition of illness, abuse/neglect detection and reporting, accident and emergency procedures, sun safety, and transportation/field-trip procedures if applicable) (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(A), Supp. 25-2).

Keep researching Arizona

Arizona Licensing Requirements

Full handbook sections, ratios, immunization rules, and penalties for Arizona.

How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Arizona statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.

How to Start a Daycare in Arizona (2026)

Arizona Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Arizona

Research your state's rules

Complete pre-service training & CPR

Pass background checks

Prepare your facility

Submit your license application & fee

Pass the licensing inspection

Open your doors

Enroll families

What You Need to Apply in Arizona

Get your Arizona licensing kit

Starting a Daycare in Arizona: FAQs

Keep researching Arizona