California Daycare Licensing Fees

State Licensing Fees

The licensing fees paid directly to CDSS are the most predictable costs in the startup process.

Orientation fee: $25 for in-person or live virtual sessions. Online registration adds a $2.43 processing fee, bringing the total to $27.43. This fee is nonrefundable and non-transferable. If you choose the online format and don't complete it within 30 days, you lose the fee and must register again.

Application fee (Small FCCH): $73, nonrefundable. Covers up to 8 children.

Application fee (Large FCCH): $140, nonrefundable. Covers up to 14 children.

Annual renewal fee: Same as the application — $73 for Small, $140 for Large. Due on the anniversary of your license's effective date. Missing the deadline triggers an automatic 50% late surcharge ($36.50 or $70), and continued nonpayment can lead to administrative action against your license.

Capacity change fee: $25 if you upgrade from a Small to a Large license after initially starting small.

Background Check Costs

These fees apply to every adult who must be fingerprinted — the provider, any assistant, and every household member aged 18+.

DOJ, FBI, and CACI processing fees: These charges apply to the required checks; confirm the current amounts with the Live Scan vendor. Live Scan rolling fee: $25–$45 per person, set by the vendor (varies by location; Los Angeles County subsidized providers can access discounted Certifix locations)

For a household with two adults, multiply the required per-person processing charges by two and add the vendor rolling fees. The total varies by the checks required and the Live Scan location; these fees are nonrefundable.

If you fingerprint before receiving your facility identification number from CDSS, the background check will be rejected and you'll pay all fees again. This is the single most expensive preventable mistake in the licensing process.

Training Costs

EMSA health and safety training (16 hours): $50–$150 depending on provider. County Resource and Referral agencies sometimes offer subsidized or free sessions — check with your local R&R first.

Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification: $40–$80 per person. Renewed every two years.

Mandated Reporter Training: Free through the state portal (mandatedreporterca.com). Renewed biennially.

TB clearance: $20–$60 per person at private clinics; often free or low-cost at county health departments. Required for every adult in the home.

Insurance

California doesn't strictly mandate liability insurance for family child care homes, but operating without it is a significant business risk. If you don't carry a policy, CDSS requires every parent to sign Form LIC 282 acknowledging the absence of coverage.

A dedicated family child care liability policy typically costs $300–$600 per year for a small operation. Policies covering a Large FCCH or higher liability limits cost more. Standard homeowners or renters insurance doesn't cover business activities — you need either a separate child care policy or a commercial endorsement added to your existing homeowners policy.

Home Safety Modifications

The cost of preparing your home for the pre-licensing inspection varies widely depending on its current condition:

• Cabinet locks and safety hardware: $30–$100
• Stair gates (securely installed): $30–$50 each
• Fire extinguisher (2A:10BC rated): $30–$60
• Smoke detectors and CO alarms: $20–$40 each
• Pool fencing (5-foot with self-closing/self-latching gate): $1,500–$5,000 if not already installed
• Fireplace screen or barrier: $100–$400

For Large FCCHs, add the fire safety modifications required for the STD 850 inspection:

• Manual fire alarm pull station (hardwired): $200–$800 installed, potentially requiring an electrical permit
• Fire extinguisher annual servicing: $50–$100 per year
• Garage fire separation (1-hour fire-resistive wall, self-closing door): $500–$3,000 if modifications are needed

Total Startup Cost Framework

These figures don't include the variable background processing charges, equipment and supplies (furniture, toys, rest mats, feeding supplies), which add $500–$2,000 depending on how much you already own. They also don't include the Large FCCH fire inspection fee, which varies by jurisdiction.

The California Home Daycare Licensing Guide includes a startup cost worksheet that helps you map every fee and expense to a timeline, so you know exactly what to budget before you spend your first dollar.

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