How to start a daycare in North Dakota.
North Dakota Health and Human Services licenses child care centers in North Dakota. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in North Dakota, step by step
Take the Childcare Provider Orientation course
New owners, operators, directors and supervisors must complete this online course.
Source: Become a Childcare ProviderChoose your license type
Your location and how many children you plan to care for set your license type.
Source: Become a Childcare ProviderAsk about a food license
Before you build or change your space, ask your local food licensing office what you need.
Source: Childcare LicensingGet a fire inspection
Local or state fire officials must inspect your center every year.
Source: North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 75-03-10, Child Care Center Early Childhood ServicesStart your fingerprint background check
As owner, you apply for a fingerprint-based criminal history check when you apply.
Source: North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 75-03-10, Child Care Center Early Childhood ServicesApply in the CCL portal
Apply online through the Child Care Licensing portal, called CCL. You can upload documents and add staff there.
Source: Become a Childcare ProviderPass the department's inspection
The department inspects all the space your program will use before it grants a license.
Source: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 50-11.1, Early Childhood Services
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- North Dakota Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing. Licenses childcare programs. It is your first contact when you apply.Source: Childcare Licensing
- Child care center
- 19 or more childrenSource: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 50-11.1, Early Childhood Services
- Monitoring visits
- At least 2 a year, one of them unannouncedSource: Childcare Licensing
- Food license
- May be needed for more than 30 children outside a private homeSource: Childcare Licensing
- Staff training
- A 15-hour basic course within 3 monthsSource: Training Requirements
- License
- Valid only for the place named on itSource: North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 75-03-10, Child Care Center Early Childhood Services
Good to know
- Background checks must be approved before a person can be alone with children.Source: Childcare Licensing
Run a program in North Dakota? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in North Dakota
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- North Dakota licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in North Dakota
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in North Dakota
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in North Dakota?
The first step: Take the Childcare Provider Orientation course. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in North Dakota?
North Dakota Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing. Licenses childcare programs. It is your first contact when you apply.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in North Dakota?
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