California Home Daycare Orientation

The Mandatory First Step

Before you can submit a licensing application for a family child care home in California, you must complete the official CDSS pre-licensing orientation. This isn't optional — the application packet (Form LIC 279) won't be accepted without a valid orientation certificate, and that certificate expires 12 months after completion. Letting it lapse means you start over.

The orientation covers the basics of California family child care licensing: what a license requires, the application process, the types of licenses available, and the regulatory framework you'll operate under. It's designed to give you a realistic overview before you invest money in background checks, training, and application fees.

Three Format Options

CDSS offers the orientation in three formats. The content is the same across all three — the choice is about scheduling and learning preference.

Online (self-paced). Register through the CDSS website. The fee is $27.43 ($25 orientation fee plus a $2.43 online processing fee). Once you register, you have exactly 30 days to complete the course. There are no extensions. If you don't finish within 30 days, your access is revoked, your fee is forfeit, and you must register and pay again.

The 30-day clock starts at registration, not at your first login. Plan to complete it within the first two weeks to leave a buffer.

In-person. Scheduled by CCLD Regional Offices across the state. The fee is $25 (no processing fee). Sessions are typically held monthly, though frequency varies by region. High-demand areas like Los Angeles and the Bay Area offer more frequent sessions; rural areas may only schedule them quarterly. Check the CDSS in-person orientation page for dates and locations.

Live virtual. A real-time video session led by a CCLD facilitator. Same $25 fee as in-person. This format was introduced during the pandemic and has continued as a permanent option. You get the interactivity of an in-person session without the commute. Session availability varies by regional office.

What Happens at the Orientation

The orientation takes approximately two to three hours and covers:

• The difference between license-exempt and licensed care
• Small vs. Large FCCH license types and their capacity limits
• The application packet requirements (Form LIC 279 and supporting documents)
• Background check and Live Scan procedures
• Training requirements (EMSA health and safety, CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter)
• Home safety standards and the pre-licensing inspection process
• Ongoing compliance obligations after licensing

You don't need to bring anything or prepare in advance. The orientation doesn't test you — there's no exam or quiz at the end. You receive a completion certificate, and that certificate becomes a required attachment to your application packet.

After the Orientation

With your certificate in hand, the licensing sequence continues:

1. Complete your training requirements (16 hours EMSA health and safety, CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter, TB clearances)
2. Assemble your application packet (LIC 279 plus supporting forms)
3. Submit the packet to your local CCLD Regional Office with the application fee ($73 Small, $140 Large)
4. Wait for your welcome letter with your facility identification number
5. Schedule Live Scan fingerprinting for all household adults
6. Prepare your home for the pre-licensing inspection

The orientation certificate is valid for 12 months from completion. If you don't submit your application within that window, you'll need to retake the orientation. Most providers complete the entire process from orientation to license in 8 to 14 weeks, so the 12-month validity period is generous — but don't let it drift.

Common Questions

Can I take the orientation before I'm sure I want to open a daycare? Yes. The $25 fee is minimal, and completing it gives you a clearer picture of what the licensing process involves before you commit further money to training and background checks.

I completed orientation at a regional office years ago. Is it still valid? Only if it was within the past 12 months. Orientation certificates expire regardless of format. You'll need a new one if yours has lapsed.

Does my assistant need to complete the orientation? No. The orientation is required only for the applicant — the person who will hold the license. Assistants need Live Scan clearance, training certifications, and TB clearance, but not the orientation.

For a complete walkthrough of every step after orientation — in the correct filing order, with form references and fee breakdowns — the California Home Daycare Licensing Guide picks up right where the orientation leaves off.

See more California guides →