In short
- The regulator is Texas HHSC Child Care Regulation (CCR). Start at its Become a Provider page.
- There are 4 operation types: licensed center, licensed child-care home, registered home and listed family home. Pick one first.
- The usual order: orientation, Minimum Standards, application, background checks, inspection, then your business registrations.
- Fees, ratios, ages, capacities and timelines are not on this page. They come from CCR and change.
On this page
Planning to open a daycare? This Texas child care license checklist follows the official CCR pages in the order most new providers meet them. It is a list of what to look up, not legal advice. We are a referral and information site, not a child care provider or a government agency.
No numbers on purpose. Fees, staff-to-child ratios, age groups, capacities and processing times all change. Get the current ones from CCR, and read the Minimum Standards chapter for your operation type in full.
Which of the 4 operation types fits you?
| Type | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Licensed center | Read the center-based provider page and the chapter 746 standards (PDF). |
| Licensed child-care home | Read the home provider page and the chapter 747 standards (PDF). |
| Registered home | Same home provider page. It explains the home permit types; confirm which one you are applying for. |
| Listed family home | Same home provider page and chapter 747. Ask CCR what listing involves. |
Not sure which fits? Ask CCR before you apply. The list of all Minimum Standards chapters also shows other chapters that may matter, such as school-age programs.
The usual order of operations
- Read the Become a Provider overview
Choose your operation type on the CCR overview page.
- Attend the orientation
Centers and homes each have an orientation step on their CCR page. Ask CCR how to sign up and what to bring.
- Read the Minimum Standards
Read the whole chapter that covers you. Do not rely on blog summaries, which go stale.
- Check the required training
See the CCR training resources and the provider training listing. Note which trainings you and your staff need.
- Submit your application
Follow your CCR page for where and how. The CCR home-provider page puts creating an online CCR account before the application; centers follow the order on the center page. Record the date you submit.
- Submit and track background checks
Ask CCR who must be checked and when. See the CCR background checks page.
- Prepare for the CCR inspection
Ask CCR what to expect and when.
- Record your permit number and annual date
Ask CCR what is due each year.
Business and site items outside CCR
These come from other agencies. Do the site items before you sign a lease.
| Item | Who and what to ask |
|---|---|
| Zoning, building, fire and health approvals | Your city or county. Local rules are separate from CCR. |
| Business entity | Texas Secretary of State forms. Skip if you operate as a sole proprietor; ask an attorney or accountant what fits. |
| EIN | IRS only. Ignore third-party sites that charge to file it. |
| Comptroller registration | Texas Comptroller. Ask whether anything you sell needs a permit. |
| Unemployment tax (if you hire) | Texas Workforce Commission. Ask whether and when you must register as an employer. |
| Liability insurance | Your insurance agent and CCR. Ask CCR whether proof of coverage is part of your permit process. |
Optional: subsidized care and quality rating
Child care assistance
Learn about TWC Child Care Services. Decide whether you want to serve families who use assistance.
Texas Rising Star
Read what participation involves on the TWC Texas Rising Star page before you decide.
Policies and paperwork to prepare
- Parent handbook and enrollment forms. Check the Minimum Standards for what you must give parents, then draft yours.
- Emergency and safety plans. Check the standards and the CCR forms and posters page for what to prepare or post.
- Director or operator qualifications. Ask CCR what applies to you and what proof to keep.
- Staff records. Keep a dated list of background checks and training for everyone, with expiry dates you can see.
What to ask CCR before you apply
- Which operation type fits my plan, and why?
- How do I sign up for orientation, and what should I bring?
- What are the current fees for my type, and when are they due?
- Who needs a background check, and when do I submit them?
- Which training do I and my staff need, and what proof do I keep?
- What qualifications apply to the director or operator?
- What happens at the inspection, and what do I need ready?
- Is proof of liability insurance part of the process?
- What is due each year after the permit is issued?
Confirm with the agencies
We opened every official link on this page on 2026-10-25. Pages move and rules change. This is information, not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with HHSC or any agency named.
A planner to track it
We are finishing a Texas Child Care Startup Planner workbook; it is not on sale yet. If you want one email when it is available, use the form below. Opening a restaurant instead? See our Texas restaurant permits checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a starting list of what to look up, built from official Texas agency pages. Confirm every item with the agency named, and ask an attorney or accountant about your own case.
What does it cost and how long does it take?
We state no fees or timelines because they come from CCR and can change. Ask CCR for the current fee list and typical processing steps for your operation type.
How many children can I care for?
That depends on your operation type and the current Minimum Standards (chapter 746 for centers, chapter 747 for homes). Read the chapter and ask CCR to confirm. We list no ratios or capacities.
Do I need a license for a home daycare?
It depends on the home permit type and your situation. The CCR home provider page explains the types: licensed child-care home, registered home and listed family home. Ask CCR which applies to you.
Does the city matter too?
Yes. Zoning, building, fire and health approvals for your site come from your city or county, separately from CCR. Ask them before you sign a lease.