Applications
Child care licensing
This page outlines the process of applying for and renewing a license, certificate, and/or approval.
Any personal data requested is collected in accordance with the DLBC privacy notice.
Apply for a license
1. Choose a license type
| License type | Setting | Ages allowed | Outdoor area required | DWS subsidy rates* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential certificate | Residential | 0-12 | No | $525 - $675 |
| Licensed family | Residential | 0-12 | Yes | $640 - $850 |
| Commercial preschool | Commercial | 2-5 | No | $385 - $495 |
| Hourly child care | Commercial | 0-12 | No | Does not qualify |
| Out-of-school-time | Commercial | 5-12 | Yes | $660 - $825 |
| Child care center | Commercial | 0-12 | Yes | $660 - $1,230 |
2. Read the rules
3. Complete training
All providers are required to complete new provider training.
Licensed family and residential certificate providers are required to complete preservice training in addition to new provider training.
All directors, provider/director designees, and caregivers are required to complete preservice training.
4. Submit your application
Each program has it's own application. Select the appropriate application from the list below.
Residential providers: On your application the name of your facility must be your surname (last name) followed by your given name (first name). For example Doe, Jane. If you have a separate name for your business, you will include that as your DBA name.
5. Submit supplementary documents
You must submit the following documents within 180 days of submitting your application (failure to do so will result in the closure of your application):
- A copy of your current business license, or a written statement from your city stating you are not required to obtain a business license.
- A copy of a current fire inspection for your facility, or a written statement from your local fire authority stating your facility is not required to have a fire inspection.
- A copy of a current kitchen inspection for your facility, or a written statement from your local health department stating you are not required to have a kitchen inspection.
- A copy of educational credentials for the director of the program.*
- A copy of your facility floor plans.*
*Only required for commercial programs.
6. Create a UtahID
The provider portal is a secure system used to manage background checks for your program, submit your W-9 to DLBC, and other important functions. To access the provider portal, you will need to create a UtahID.
After submitting an application and creating a UtahID, you will be able to access your provider portal. Allow up to 4 business days after submitting your application before trying to access your provider portal.
7. Submit background checks
All covered individuals (providers, directors, designees, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and household member 12 years old and older) are required to submit a background check before becoming involved with your child care program.
You will need to be able to access your provider portal before you can complete this step.
8. Submit a W-9
Submit a W-9 form with accurate information to DLBC through the provider portal.
You will need to be able to access your provider portal before you can complete this step.
9. Create an emergency plan
All child care programs are required to have a written emergency plan before being licensed. You may use our emergency preparedness plan template, or create your own with the following information:
- Procedures for evacuations, relocation, shelter in place, lockdown, communication with and reunification of families, and continuity of operations.
- Procedures for accommodations for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
- Instructions to follow in case of an allergy or serious reaction to food or any other trigger that may affect a child's health.
10. Schedule an on-site inspection
After completing all prior steps, a licensor from DLBC will contact you to schedule a pre-license inspection. This inspection will take place on-site at your facility. During this inspection, your licensor will assess for compliance with the rules and requirements that apply to your program.
Your program must be found in compliance with all rules and requirements during this inspection in order to complete the licensing process.
11. Prepare to sign an affidavit of lawful presence
You may be required to sign an affidavit of lawful presence in the United States.
If you have been informed that you will need to sign this form, you will need to show proof of citizenship to your licensor during your pre-license inspection. Proof of citizenship could include the following documents:
- Current United States passport
- Birth certificate
- Federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID card
Qualified aliens may show one of the following documents to demonstrate lawful presence:
- Permanent resident alien card (green card)
- Alien registration receipt card
- United States employment authorization card
12. Pay required fees
13. Wait to receive your license
1. Schedule an announced inspection
3. Submit required documents
4. Pay fees
5. Wait to receive your new license, certificate, or exemption
Apply for an exemption or approval
1. Identify if your program is exempt
As outlined in R430-8, the following programs are exempt from licensing requirements:
- Federal programs: Facilities owned and operated by an agency of the United States government.
- Health care and residential support programs: Facilities licensed by the Office of Licensing (OL) as a health care facility or residential support program.
- Group counseling: Mental health therapists licensed to practice in Utah are not required to have a child care license to conduct group counseling sessions.
The following programs are exempt from most licensing requirements, but must still meet certain criteria to operate such as submitting an application or registration through OL:
- K-12 schools: Educational programs run by public, private, or religious (parochial) schools.
- College training programs: Care provided by colleges or universities as a hands-on training environment for students studying child development or education.
- Programs hosted at public schools: Outside organizations that provide care at a public school, as long as they are contracted by the school or the school officially oversees the program.
- Federal summer camps: Summer camps that operate on federal land using a federal permit.
- Nonprofits partnered with local government: Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations caring for school-aged children (5-12 years old), provided they have a written oversight agreement with the city or county.
- Short-term, drop-in care (e.g. gyms or shopping centers): Facilities offering temporary care that meet the following conditions:
- The parent/guardian stays in the building and can reach the child within 5 minutes.
- The child is there for less than 4 hours in a single day.
- The care is occasional (sporadic), not a regular routine.
- Staff do not change diapers.
- Staff do not prepare or serve meals to the children.
- Small residential programs: Residential child care programs providing care for 8 or fewer qualifying children.
2. Register or submit an application
As outlined in step 1, certain programs are exempt from licensing requirements but must still submit an application or register their program with the Office of Licensing (OL).
Commercial programs should select the License exempt application.
Residential programs should either select CCRRP registration or DWS FFN application.
- Residential child care programs caring for 8 or fewer qualifying children are required to register their program with OL as a Child Care Registered Residential Provider (CCRRP) and complete a background check.
- Programs that would like to qualify for Department of Workforce Services (DWS) child care subsidy payments, must instead either become licensed or apply for a DWS Family, Friend, & Neighbor (FFN) approval.
3. Complete training
This step is only required for programs that would like to qualify for DWS child care subsidy payments.
The applicant is required to complete new provider training. All staff, including the applicant, must complete preservice training.
4. Create a UtahID
This step is not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
The provider portal is a secure system used to manage background checks for your program, submit your W-9 to DLBC, and other important functions.
To access the provider portal, create a UtahID.
You will be able to access your provider portal up to 4 business days after submitting your application and creating a UtahID.
5. Submit background checks
This step is not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
All providers, directors, designees, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and household member 12 years old and older are required to submit a background check before becoming involved with your program.
You must have access to your provider portal before you can complete this step.
6. Submit a W-9
This step is only required for programs that would like to qualify for DWS child care subsidy payments.
Submit a W-9 to the Office of Licensing (OL) through your provider portal.
You must have access to your provider portal before you can complete this step.
7. Pay fees
This step is not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
Pay all fees associated with applying for a new child care program. More information about required fees and instructions on how to make a payment may be found on the make a payment page.
8. Post a license exempt notice at your facility
This step is not required for certified registered residential programs.
Once you have completed all previous steps, post a license exempt notice in your facility. DWS eligible programs must instead post the approval letter sent to them by the Office of Licensing (OL).
1. Schedule an announced inspection
This step is not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
30 to 90 days before your license, certificate, or approval expires, your assigned licensor will contact you to schedule an announced inspection. This inspection is required before your program can be approved for renewal. During this inspection you must demonstrate compliance with all rules or requirements that apply to your program.
2. Submit a renewal request
Submit a renewal request through your provider portal.
Exempt child care programs located in a public school must submit a new license exempt application.
3. Pay fees
This step is not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
You will be required to pay any outstanding fees for your program and all payments associated with the renewal process before being issued a renewal. For more information on what fees are required and how to make a payment, visit the make a payment page.