Alaska Child Care Licensing Orientation

What the Orientation Covers

Before applying for a child care license in Alaska, prospective providers go through an orientation process with the Child Care Program Office (CCPO). This isn't a single mandatory class — it's a series of introductory steps that familiarize you with the licensing framework under 7 AAC 57, the application timeline, and the inspection standards your home will need to meet.

The CCPO handles orientation through assigned licensing specialists and online introductory resources. When you contact the CCPO (or the Anchorage Health Department if you're within the Municipality of Anchorage), a specialist walks you through the application requirements, answers questions about your specific property and situation, and explains the forms you'll need to submit.

Pre-Licensing Training vs. Orientation

Orientation and pre-licensing training are related but distinct:

Orientation is informational — it introduces the regulatory framework, walks through the licensing timeline, and identifies the specific forms and documentation you'll need. It's the "what you need to know before you start" conversation.

Pre-licensing training is the formal coursework you must complete before your provisional license is issued: Health and Safety Basics and Mandated Reporter training. These courses count toward your first year's 24-hour training requirement under 7 AAC 57.350.

Pre-licensing training may be available online through CCPO-approved channels. Orientation is handled through the assigned licensing specialist and introductory resources, so contact the CCPO to begin the process.

Anchorage's 2026 Change

The Municipality of Anchorage previously maintained its own local orientation ordinance under AMC 16.55.150, which included additional requirements beyond the state standard. Effective June 24, 2026, as part of the broader AMC alignment with state code, the assembly repealed this local orientation rule.

Anchorage providers now follow the same state orientation pathway as the rest of Alaska under 7 AAC 57.350. This simplifies the process — there's one set of orientation and training standards statewide, not a separate Anchorage track.

What to Do Before Orientation

You'll get more out of the orientation process if you've already addressed a few foundational questions:

Zoning. Contact your municipal planning department to confirm your address allows home-based child care before reaching out to the CCPO. If zoning is a dead end, there's no point beginning orientation.

License category. Decide whether you're pursuing a Child Care Home (up to 8 children, one caregiver) or a Group Home (9–12 children, typically at least two caregivers). The specialist will tailor their guidance based on your category.

Household inventory. Know how many people aged 16 or older live in your home — each one needs a background check. Count your own children under 13, since they affect your available capacity.

After Orientation

Once orientation is complete, the licensing path continues with background check submissions (NABCS, $87–$90 per person), CPR/first aid certification, home preparation, and the AKCCIS application. Orientation gives you the map; the remaining steps execute it.

For the full chronological sequence from orientation through provisional license, see our Alaska Home Daycare License guide.

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