Applications
Child Care Licensing
Apply for a License
1. Choose a License Type
A Residential Certificate is a specific type of home-based child care designed for smaller, more personal settings. These programs are operated out of a provider’s private residence, typically featuring one or two staff members caring for a small group of up to eight children (or up to ten, including the provider's own children).
While obtaining a Residential Certificate is optional, it serves as a mark of professional commitment. Certified providers gain several key advantages, including:
- State Visibility: Your program is listed in searchable state databases, making it easier for families to find you.
- Financial Support: You become eligible to receive DWS child care subsidy payments.
Licensed Family Child Care is a home-based program that offers a professional child care setting within a private residence. These programs are typically larger than Residential Certificate programs, allowing for a capacity of up to 16 children.
State law requires a Licensed Family Child Care license if your program meets the following criteria:
- You receive direct or indirect compensation.
- Children are in your care for four or more hours per day.
- You are caring for more than 8 unrelated children.
- Care is provided in the absence of the child's parent.
- Services are provided on a regularly scheduled, ongoing basis.
Commercial Preschools are center-based programs designed specifically for early childhood education and socialization. These programs serve children between the ages of 2 and 5 and focus on providing high-quality care for a limited portion of the day.
State law requires a Commercial Preschool license if your program operates in a location other than a private home and meets the following criteria:
- You receive direct or indirect compensation.
- Children are in your care for less than four hours per day. (Note: If any child remains in care for four hours or more, a Child Care Center license is required).
- You provide care for five or more children between the ages of 2 and 5.
- Care is provided in the absence of the child's parent.
- Services are provided on a regularly scheduled basis for more than two days a week and for four or more weeks per year.
Hourly Child Care programs are center-based facilities designed to provide flexible, drop-in care services. Unlike traditional child care centers or preschools, these programs do not have a roster of regularly scheduled or enrolled children. You will most commonly find Hourly Child Care in resort, hotel, or tourist attraction settings, where families require temporary, short-term care for their children.
State law requires an Hourly Child Care license if your program operates in a location other than a private home and meets the following criteria:
- You receive direct or indirect compensation.
- Children are in your care for less than 24 hours per day, but for four or more hours in a single day.
- You provide care for five or more children.
- Care is provided in the absence of the child's parent.
- Services are provided on a regularly scheduled basis for four or more weeks per year.
Out-of-School-Time (OST) programs are center-based facilities that specialize in caring for school-aged children, typically between the ages of 5 and 12. These programs are designed to provide a safe and engaging environment during the hours when school is not in session, such as after-school hours, school breaks, and summer vacations.
State law requires an Out-of-School-Time license if your program operates in a location other than a private home and meets the following criteria:
- You receive direct or indirect compensation.
- Children are in your care for less than 24 hours per day.
- You provide care for five or more children.
- Care is provided in the absence of the child's parent.
- Services are provided on an ongoing basis for three or more days per week and for 30 or more days within a calendar year.
Child Care Centers are center-based facilities designed for maximum versatility. This license is the ideal choice for programs that want the flexibility to care for a wide range of age groups—from infants to school-aged children—and to operate with more varied hours. Unlike specialized licenses (such as Preschool or OST), a Child Care Center license allows for full-day care and comprehensive service models.
State law requires a Child Care Center license if your program operates in a location other than a private home and meets the following criteria:
- You receive direct or indirect compensation.
- Children are in your care for less than 24 hours per day.
- You provide care for five or more children.
- Care is provided in the absence of the child's parent.
- Services are provided on an ongoing basis for four or more weeks per year.
2. Read the Rules
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 will be able to 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 will be able to 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
Still Need Help?
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. Choose your program type
Based on criteria outlined in R430-8, certain exempt programs are required to apply for an exemption.
If an exempt program would like to be eligible to receive DWS child care subsidy payments, they must apply for an approval. The two available approvals are LE DWS (for commercial facilities) and DWS FFN (for residential programs).
3. Create a UtahID
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, 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.
4. Submit background checks
Not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
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. Covered individuals 18 years old and older are also required to submit fingerprints as part of the background check process.
You will need to be able to access the provider portal before completing this step (see step 3. Create a UtahID).
5. Submit a W-9
Not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
You will need to submit a W-9 to DLBC through the provider portal.
You will need to be able to access the provider portal before completing this step (see step 3. Create a UtahID).
6. Pay fees
Not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
You will be required to pay any fees associated with applying for a new child care program. For more information on what fees are required and how to make a payment, visit the make a payment page.
7. Post the license exempt notice at your facility
Still need help?
1. Schedule an announced inspection
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 the provider portal.
Exempt child care programs located in a public school must submit a new license exempt application.
3. Pay fees
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.