State licensing information
State licenses are issued through regional Family and Children's Services offices in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Renewal of licenses is required every two years. The following types of child care settings and licensing requirements are available:
- Family child care homes are limited to 1 to 6 children in attendance at one time. Licensing is not required but a provider may become licensed on a voluntary basis (usually done if the provider wishes to participate in the federally funded food program).
- Group child care providers are restricted to 7 to 12 children in attendance at one time and must be certified by state law.
- Child care centers having 13 or more children in attendance at one time must be licensed by state law.
Types of Child Care Licenses and Idaho Requirements:
- Child Care Home (1-6 Children): No requirements
- Group Child Care (7-12 children): Criminal History Check, Fire Inspection.
- Basic Child Care Facility (13 or more children): Criminal History Check, Health Inspection, Fire Inspection.
Did you know? It is a misdemeanor to operate a child care center within Idaho without first obtaining a basic child care license or for failure to post a basic child care license in a conspicuous place.
Additional local licensing regulations may be imposed by individual city governments. Their licensing requirements may be equal to or more stringent than state license provisions. Currently there are ten cities in Idaho that license child care facilities in their jurisdictions: Ammon, Boise, Chubbuck, Hailey, Jerome, Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, Moscow, Orofino, and Pocatello. See Idaho Code 39-1101 for information about Idaho Child Care Licenses. You can download a PDF of rules governing standards for child care licensing as well.
Find out about Idaho licensing requirements on the Health and Welfare Site.
