Get a Residential Child Care License?

A license is issued by the State and permits you to operate a Child Welfare Agency. 

The Residential Child Care Licensing (RCCL) Unit licenses child caring institutions, child placing agencies, children's transitional care centers, commercial sexual exploitation recovery centers, outdoor child caring programs (camps), maternity homes, and qualified residential treatment programs. To find out if you need a license from the State to provide the service you want to provide, click on one of these facility types or call the Office of Inspector General, Residential Child Care Licensing (RCCL) unit.

RCCL does not license daycare centers (commercial or home-based), personal care homes or psychiatric hospitals.

If you are required to obtain a state license issued by RCCL, you must:

• Download the application packet.
• Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations and develop a working knowledge of the meaning and intent of the rules.
• Develop policies and procedures to address each rule applicable to your program.
• Attend the Mandatory Application Training (MAT) before submitting an application.
  • The MAT classes are free of charge and held virtually the second Wednesday of every month. 
  • In the MAT class, applicants will learn what information to submit and how to submit an application packet to RCCL. The class is not an overview of RCCL’s requirements to obtain a license and is intended for applicants who are ready to apply and open. Eligibility screenings are conducted before attendance is permitted. 
  • All requests to attend a MAT class must be received by close of business on the first Wednesday of the month to participate in the upcoming class. If the class is full, applicants will be allowed to register for the next scheduled class.
  • Applicants can request registration by emailing the following information to [email protected].  
    • The resume of a qualified director and case work supervisor/human services professional (candidates must meet the qualifications of the position as defined in the rules and regulations). 
    • A policy and procedure manual that complies with the applicable rules and regulations.
    • Additionally, facility-based programs must also submit:
      • Zoning letter, from city or county officials, verifying the facility can operate at the location.
      • Documentation that the facility has had an approved fire inspection. The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is required to complete the fire inspection for a facility-based program that will house residents in state custody.  
• Submit the application packet.

In most cases, your business location will be visited by an RCCL surveyor to verify that you are in compliance with the rules and regulations that apply to your particular business.

If your application is complete and your business is in compliance with the rules, then you will be issued a State license to operate.

The length of time required to get a State license to operate varies greatly, depending partly on the motivation of the applicant. One way to speed up the process is to make sure that the paperwork you submit is accurate and complete. Be sure to keep a copy of all the information submitted.