Minnesota Childcare Licensing
Minnesota Childcare Licensing Fees (2026)
Minnesota childcare licensing carries an application fee at first licensure and, in most cases, a recurring fee at renewal. 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).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamMinnesota Licensing Fees: The Specifics
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).
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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).
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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)).
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Family and group family child care have no state renewal fee
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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).
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Minnesota Licensing Fees at a Glance
| 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). |
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| 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). |
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Minnesota Licensing Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Minnesota childcare license cost?
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).
What is the Minnesota childcare license 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).
Are Minnesota licensing fees refundable?
In most states, licensing application fees are non-refundable even if the application is denied or withdrawn. Confirm the refund policy with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Care Centers Licensing. Note: child care center licensing transferred from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to DCYF effective June 18, 2025. Existing DHS-issued licenses remain valid and license holders need not reapply; the governing rules (Minn. Rules ch. 9503) remain in force, and the licensing statutes formerly in Minn. Stat. ch. 245A have been recodified into Minn. Stat. ch. 142B (licensing) and ch. 142C (certification). before paying.
Minnesota childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Minnesota administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Care Centers Licensing. Note: child care center licensing transferred from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to DCYF effective June 18, 2025. Existing DHS-issued licenses remain valid and license holders need not reapply; the governing rules (Minn. Rules ch. 9503) remain in force, and the licensing statutes formerly in Minn. Stat. ch. 245A have been recodified into Minn. Stat. ch. 142B (licensing) and ch. 142C (certification). before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.