Nevada Childcare Licensing
Nevada Childcare License Exemption Threshold (2026)
Before you can legally care for children for pay in Nevada, you must know the license-exemption threshold — the point at which a child care license, registration, or certificate becomes mandatory. A license is required once a person furnishes care for compensation to 5 or more children under 18 years of age (NRS 432A.024); care for not more than 4 unrelated children (those not related to the operator within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) is a registrable "small child care establishment," not a licensed child care facility (NRS 432A.0295); and a home caring only for children related to the operator within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, or providing care for a friend's or neighbor's children for not more than 4 weeks where the person does not regularly do so, is fully exempt from the child care facility definition (NRS 432A.024).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamNevada License Exemption Threshold: The Specifics
A license is required once a person furnishes care for compensation to 5 or more children under 18 years of age (NRS 432A.024)
NRS 432A.024
care for not more than 4 unrelated children (those not related to the operator within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) is a registrable "small child care establishment," not a licensed child care facility (NRS 432A.0295)
NRS 432A.0295
and a home caring only for children related to the operator within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, or providing care for a friend's or neighbor's children for not more than 4 weeks where the person does not regularly do so, is fully exempt from the child care facility definition (NRS 432A.024).
NRS 432A.024
A Nevada Family Care Home may care for up to 6 children total, with no more than 2 children under 1 year of age (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, Family Care Homes group-size table)
State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide, Family Care Homes group-size table
caring for up to 12 children makes it a Group Care Home, which requires one additional caregiver (State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide
State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide
staffing ratios under NAC 432A.5205).
State of Nevada Child Care Licensing Reference Guide
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Nevada License Exemption Threshold: Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I care for in Nevada without a license?
A license is required once a person furnishes care for compensation to 5 or more children under 18 years of age (NRS 432A.024); care for not more than 4 unrelated children (those not related to the operator within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) is a registrable "small child care establishment," not a licensed child care facility (NRS 432A.0295); and a home caring only for children related to the operator within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, or providing care for a friend's or neighbor's children for not more than 4 weeks where the person does not regularly do so, is fully exempt from the child care facility definition (NRS 432A.024).
What is the penalty for operating unlicensed in Nevada?
Operating above the Nevada exemption threshold without the required license, registration, or certificate is generally unlawful and can carry fines and cease-and-desist orders. Contact the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.) about the correct credential before you begin.
Does Nevada offer a voluntary registration for small providers?
Some states let providers below the exemption threshold register voluntarily. Confirm whether Nevada offers a voluntary registry with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.).
Nevada childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Nevada administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) program. (Statewide child care licensing is consolidated under DWSS; the last county program, Washoe, transferred to the state on July 1, 2024.) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.