Texas Daycare Director Qualifications: What HHSC Requires for Licensed Child Care Homes

If you are applying for a Licensed Child Care Home permit in Texas — the category that allows 7 to 12 children — the primary caregiver must meet Child Day Care Director qualifications under Title 26, Section 747.1107(8) of the Texas Administrative Code. These credentials go beyond the high school diploma required for Registered homes, and misunderstanding the combinations that qualify is one of the most common reasons Licensed home applications stall.

What "Director Qualifications" Means for Home Daycares

The term "director" in Texas child care regulation does not necessarily mean you are running a center with staff. For Licensed Child Care Homes, the primary caregiver — often the homeowner operating the daycare — must hold Director-level credentials because the Licensed category permits a larger group of children and carries higher supervision complexity.

The qualifications are defined as a combination of education and child care experience. HHSC does not require a single specific degree. Instead, there are multiple qualifying combinations.

Qualifying Education and Experience Combinations

Texas accepts several pathways to Director credentials. The most common for home-based operators:

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential + Experience: A CDA credential may be part of a qualifying education-and-experience combination, but the exact requirements are set by 26 TAC §747.1107(8). Confirm with HHSC before relying on a CDA alone.

Associate's Degree + Experience: An associate's degree may be part of a qualifying education-and-experience combination. The applicable field and experience requirements are set by 26 TAC §747.1107(8), so confirm them with HHSC.

Bachelor's Degree or Higher: A bachelor's degree or higher may be part of a qualifying combination, but the degree alone does not establish eligibility; verify the applicable experience requirements under 26 TAC §747.1107(8).

Alternative combinations: HHSC also accepts other education and experience combinations that demonstrate equivalent competence. The specifics are spelled out in the Chapter 747 Minimum Standards, and in ambiguous cases, your assigned HHSC licensing representative can clarify which combinations your background satisfies.

The experience component must be documented. Keep employment records, pay stubs, or letters from former employers that confirm dates and roles, and confirm that the experience satisfies 26 TAC §747.1107(8).

How Director Qualifications Differ from Registered Home Requirements

For a Registered Child Care Home (up to 6 unrelated children), the primary caregiver needs only to be at least 21 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. There is no Director credential requirement.

This distinction matters because it directly affects which permit type you can pursue. If you do not yet meet the Director qualification standard, a Registered home remains available with the lower qualification threshold. That is not necessarily a problem — many successful home daycares operate within the 6-unrelated-child cap — but if you want the 7-to-12 range, you need the Director credentials before HHSC will process a Licensed home application.

Getting Credentials Before You Apply

If you meet the education requirement but need to build experience, make sure any experience you rely on is documented and satisfies the current Chapter 747 requirements. Confirm the applicable path with HHSC before applying.

If you need the education component, ask HHSC which education-and-experience combination under 26 TAC §747.1107(8) fits your background before enrolling. Approved training options and documentation requirements should be confirmed with the agency.

Training Requirements Stack on Top of Director Credentials

Director qualifications are a prerequisite for application — they get your foot in the door. Once you are operating, Licensed home primary caregivers and directors must also complete 30 annual clock hours of continuing education (compared to 24 for Registered home caregivers). The 24 hours of pre-service training with the 8/16 split applies to Licensed homes just like it does to Registered ones.

The Practical Decision

Many aspiring home daycare operators have the experience and education but do not realize they may already satisfy some of the education-and-experience requirements. If you have worked in a licensed preschool or center-based program and hold a CDA, associate's, or bachelor's degree in a related field, verify your credentials with your regional HHSC CCR office before assuming you qualify — the licensing representative can review your background against Chapter 747 before you invest time in a Registered home application that caps your growth.

For a side-by-side comparison of all three permit types — including exactly which forms, fees, and credentials each one requires — the Texas Home Daycare License Guide breaks down every category so you can pick the right track before you apply.

See more Texas guides →