Apply for or renew a license

Child care programs that meet certain criteria are required to be licensed or certified through the Office of Licensing (OL). Some child care programs may be exempt from licensure but will still need to receive an approved exemption from OL in order to operate or receive Department of Workforce Services (DWS) child care subsidy payments.

This page outlines licensing criteria and the process of applying for and renewing a license, certificate, or approval through OL.

Licensing criteria

Center-based child care programs typically operate out of a commercial setting. The license types included in this category are commercial preschool programs; hourly child care centers; out-of-school-time child care programs; and child care centers.

To view the licensing criteria for each type, click on the buttons.

R381-40 | Commercial Preschool Programs

R381-60 | Hourly Child Care Centers

R381-70 | Out-of-School-Time Child Care Programs

R381-100 | Child Care Centers

Residentially-based child care programs operate out of a residential or home-based setting. The license and certificate types included in this category are residential certificate child care and licensed family child care.

To view the licensing criteria for each type, click on the buttons.

Child care programs that qualify for a residential certificate may choose to not become certified through OL. These exempt residential programs are still required to operate within parameters defined in Title 26B-2-4, including that they register with OL and complete a criminal background check.

To learn more about this residential exemption or to register a program, click on the button labeled "CCRRP | Child Care Registered Residential Providers".

R430-50 | Residential Certificate Child Care

R430-90 | Licensed Family Child Care

CCRRP | Child Care Registered Residential Providers

Certain types of child care programs are not required to be licensed or certified through OL. Though some exempt programs are still required to apply for and receive an exemption approval from OL.

To view exemption criteria, click on the button titled "R430-8 | Exemptions From Child Care Licensing".

In order to qualify for DWS child care subsidy payments, programs will need to receive either a DWS FFN (Family, Friend, & Neighbor) or LE (License Exempt) DWS approval from OL.

To view approval details for each type, click on the buttons.

R430-8 | Exemptions From Child Care Licensing

LE DWS | License Exempt Approval

DWS FFN | Family, Friend, & Neighbor Approval

Applying for a license, certificate, or exemption

1. Determine your program type

Determine what type of license, certificate, or exemption your program qualifies for. Licensing criteria for each type of license, certificate, and exemption is detailed in the section above. You can also find information about the different license types on the rules and license types page.

2. Read the rules or requirements that apply to your program

You are responsible to know and maintain compliance with the rules or requirements that apply to your license, certificate, or exemption. The rules and requirements for each type of program can be found on the rules and license types page.

3. Complete new provider training

New provider training provides an overview of licensing requirements and processes. All new providers will be required to complete this training before being issued a license, certificate, or approval. This training is completed at your own pace, but typically takes 1-2 hours to complete. The link to new provider training can be found on the training page.

4. Submit an online application

Complete an online application and submit all of the following documents:

A copy of your current business license (or a written statement from your city stating that you are not required to have a business license)
A copy of a current fire inspection for your facility (or a written statement from your local fire authority stating that you are 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)
(Center-based programs only) A copy of educational credentials for the person who will be acting as director for your program (a list of acceptable educational credentials can be found in the rules under Section 7: Personnel and Training Requirements for the type of license you are applying for)
(Center-based programs only) A copy of your facility floor plans

These documents can be submitted directly to your process specialist.

Center-based programs and LE DWS - Cheryl Nak ([email protected])
Residentially-based programs and DWS FFN - Tracie Baures ([email protected])

5. Create a UtahID account

A UtahID account is required in order to access the OL provider portal. The OL provider portal is a system you will need to use in order to manage background checks, submit your W9, apply for license renewal, and many other administrative functions. You may follow these instructions for how to create a UtahID account.

6. Submit a background check for all covered individuals

All covered individuals (providers, directors, director designees, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and household members 12 years old and older) are required to submit a background check before becoming involved with a licensed, certified, or approved child care program. For more information on how to complete and submit background checks and fingerprints, visit the background checks page.

7. Submit a W9

Your W9 will need to be submitted through the OL provider portal. Please follow the W9 instruction sheet when filling out your W9.

8. Develop an emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plan

All licensed, certified, and approved child care programs are required to have an emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plan in place before being licensed. Specific requirements for your plan can be found in the rules under Section 14: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for the type of license, certificate, or approval you are applying for. You may also use or reference our emergency preparedness plan template.

9. Schedule an on-site inspection with a licensor

After you have completed all previous steps, a licensor from OL will reach out to you to schedule a pre-license inspection. This inspection will take place on-site at your facility. During this inspection, your licensor will check for compliance with the rules or requirements that apply to your child care program. Your program must be in compliance with all rules or 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 that you will need to sign one of these forms, you will need to show proof of citizenship to your licensor during your pre-license inspection. Proof of citizenship could include a current United States passport, birth certificate, and/or a federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID card.

11. Wait to receive your license, certificate, or approval

After you have completed all previous steps, you will need to wait to receive your license, certificate, or approval from OL before opening for child care.