Apply for or renew a license
This page outlines licensing criteria and the process of applying for and renewing a license, certificate, or approval through the Office of Licensing (OL). The process of applying for and renewing an exemption is also detailed below, along with information on how to register a child care program that is exempt from licensure.
If you would like to request assistance from one of our licensors, please fill out this request for technical assistance form.
Licensing criteria
Commercially-based child care programs are required to be licensed unless they meet license exemption criteria as outlined in R430-8 | Exemptions from child care licensing.
In order to qualify for Department of Workforce Services (DWS) child care subsidy payments, child care programs will either need to be licensed or receive a License Exempt (LE) DWS approval.
Click on the buttons to view the licensing criteria and approval details for each type of child care program. More details can also be found on the rules and license types page.
Residentially-based child care programs are required to be licensed unless they meet license exemption criteria as outlined in R430-8 | Exemptions from child care licensing or Utah Code Title 26B-2-4.
In order to qualify for Department of Workforce Services (DWS) child care subsidy payments, child care programs will either need to be licensed, certified, or receive a DWS Family, Friend, & Neighbor (FFN) approval.
Click on the buttons to view the licensing criteria and approval details for each type of child care program. More details can also be found on the rules and license types page.
Licenses, certificates, and approvals
1. Determine your program type
2. Read the rules/requirements
Providers are responsible to know and comply with the rules or requirements that apply to their program. Click on the buttons to view the interpretation manual for each program type. The interpretation manual is a document that contains the rules and additional information relating to the rationale, compliance guidelines, and risk level of each rule.
You can also learn more about the rules and requirements by viewing the training videos posted here on our website.
R381-100 | Child care centers
R430-50 | Residential certificate child care
R430-90 | Licensed family child care
LE DWS | License Exempt Department of Workforce Services
DWS FFN | Department of Workforce Services Family, Friend, & Neighbor
3. Complete new provider training
New provider training (English)
4. Submit an application
Click on the appropriate button to submit a license, certificate, or approval application. You will need to submit the following documents with your application, or within 180 days of submitting your application:
- A copy of your current business license, or a written statement from your city stating that 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 that 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 that you are not required to have a kitchen inspection.
If you are submitting an application for a center-based program, you will also need to provide the following documents:
- A copy of educational credentials for the person who will be acting as director for the program. A list of acceptable educational credentials can be found in rule Section 7: Personnel and Training Requirements.
- A copy of your facility floor plans.
If all documents are not submitted within 180 days of submitting an application, your application will be closed without issuing a license, certificate, or approval. If you are submitting documents after submitting your online application, they will need to be uploaded in the provider portal, or sent directly to your process specialist.
5. Create a UtahID
In order to access the provider portal, the provider will need to create a UtahID. The provider portal is a system that will need to be used to manage background checks, submit your W-9, and many other important functions.
After submitting an application and creating a UtahID, you will be able to access the provider portal for your program. While you may create your UtahID right now, allow up to 4 business days after submitting your application before trying to access your provider portal.
You may follow these instructions for creating a UtahID.
6. 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 a licensed, certified, or approved child care program. Covered individuals who are 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 5. Create a UtahID).
For more information on this process, visit the background checks page.
7. Submit a W-9
You will need to submit a W-9 to our office through the provider portal. See the W-9 instruction sheet for guidance on how to complete this form.
You will need to be able to access the provider portal before completing this step (see step 5. Create a UtahID).
8. Create an emergency preparedness plan
All child care programs are required to have an emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plan before being licensed, certified, or approved. Your plan will have to include:
- 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.
This plan will need to be written and available for review by OL staff before being approved for a license, certificate, or approval. You may use our emergency preparedness plan template if you would prefer.
9. Schedule an on-site inspection
After completing all previous steps, a licensor from OL 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 chosen child care program.
Your program must be in compliance with all rules and requirements before being issued a license, certificate, or approval.
10. Prepare to sign an affidavit of lawful presence
Some providers may be required to sign an affidavit of lawful presence in the United States. Only the provider will be required to sign this document.
If you have been informed by your licensor that you will need to sign one of these forms, you will need to be prepared to show proof of citizenship to your licensor during your pre-license inspection. Proof of citizenship could include any of 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
11. Pay fees
12. Wait to receive your license, certificate, or approval
1. Schedule an announced inspection
3. Submit required documents
4. Pay fees
5. Wait to receive your new license, certificate, or exemption
Exemptions
1. Determine your program type
Child care programs are required to be licensed unless they meet license exemption criteria as outlined in R430-8 | Exemptions from child care licensing. If your program qualifies for an exemption but you would like to be eligible to receive Department of Workforce Services (DWS) child care subsidy payments, you will need to either apply for a License Exempt (LE) DWS or DWS Family, Friend, & Neighbor (FFN) approval. If you will be applying for an approval instead of an exemption, see the section above titled "Licenses, certificates, and approvals".
If your program meets the conditions outlined in R430-8-4, you will need to complete the following steps to receive an exemption from the Office of Licensing (OL).
2. Submit an application
License exempt application
3. Create a UtahID
Not required for exempt child care programs located in a public school.
In order to access the provider portal, the provider will need to create a UtahID. The provider portal is a system that will need to be used to manage background checks, submit your W-9, and many other important functions.
After submitting an application and creating a UtahID, you will be able to access the provider portal for your program. While you may create your UtahID right now, allow up to 4 business days after submitting your application before trying to access your provider portal.
You may follow these instructions for creating a UtahID.
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 who are 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).
For more information on this process, visit the background checks page.
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 our office through the provider portal. See the W-9 instruction sheet for guidance on how to complete this form.
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
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 type.
2. Submit a renewal request
Renewal requests must be submitted 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.
Registrations
Certain programs not required to be licensed, certified, approved, or receive an exemption from the Office of Licensing (OL), may still be required to register their child care program with OL due to the requirements of another entity or agency.
Click on the button below to register your child care program with OL.
Child care registration
Utah Code Title 26B-2-4 outlines specific types of residentially-based child care providers who are not required to be licensed or certified through the Office of Licensing (OL), but who must register their program with OL.
Click on the button below to register your child care program with OL.