Florida Daycare Licensing Requirements: Operating and Expanding a Licensed Child Care Center

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers in 63 of 67 counties; four—Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Sarasota—license locally (DCF, About Child Care Licensure, as of Aug. 26, 2026). The annual state fee is $1 per child of licensed capacity, minimum $25, maximum $100 (§ 402.315(3), F.S., as of Aug. 26, 2026); a license is non-transferable, tied to one location (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(3)(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2026); and renewal must be filed at least 45 days before expiration to avoid a $100 late fine (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(d) and 65C-22.010(2)(c), eff. Sept. 1, 2026). DCF policy provides at least three inspections a year (DCF Child Care Licensing FAQ, as of Aug. 26, 2026).

Local Licensing Authorities in Florida

If your center is in Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, or Sarasota County, you apply through and comply with the local county licensing authority, not the state DCF. These four counties license locally under § 402.306(1)(a), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), which lets a county whose standards meet or exceed the state minimum run its own licensing agency; local fees differ from state fees.

Note: Some sources wrongly list Hillsborough County as licensing locally; its facilities are licensed directly by the state DCF.

Governing Law and the Administrative Code

Child care center licensing in Florida is governed by Sections 402.301 to 402.319 of the Florida Statutes (F.S.) (as of August 26, 2026). The administrative rules implementing these statutes are in the Florida Administrative Code (Fla. Admin. Code):

• Rule Chapter 65C-20: Family Day Care Homes (as of August 26, 2026)
• Rule Chapter 65C-22: Child Care Standards (as of August 26, 2026)
• Rule Chapter 65C-25: Specialized Child Care Facilities for Mildly Ill Children (as of August 26, 2026)

Separately, the licensing timeline clock comes from § 120.60(1), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), the Administrative Procedure Act.

Note for operators reviewing older documents: six core Chapter 65C-22 rules (65C-22.0011 and .002–.006) were repealed October 25, 2017 and folded into the Child Care Facility Handbook (December 2025 edition), incorporated by reference under Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(6) (effective September 1, 2026) (Fla. Admin. Code ch. 65C-22 rule history, flrules.org, as of August 26, 2026). Cite the Handbook, not the repealed rules.

Licensing Thresholds and Exemptions

Under § 402.302(2), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), licensure turns on whether an operation meets the statutory definition of a “child care facility” — generally, care for more than five children unrelated to the operator. Because the language carries qualifications a summary cannot safely capture, read the definition directly in § 402.302(2), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026) rather than rely on a paraphrase. “Child care” is defined by statute as “the care, protection, and supervision of a child, for a period of less than 24 hours a day on a regular basis, which supplements parental care” (§ 402.302(2), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).

This guide covers licensed child care facilities (centers). Family day care homes and large family child care homes are a separate license type governed by Fla. Admin. Code ch. 65C-20 (as of August 26, 2026) and are outside its scope. Public and nonpublic schools and their integral programs, summer camps having children in full-time residence and summer day camps, vacation Bible schools, and guest-only transient establishments (subject to level 2 screening) are excluded from facility licensure (§ 402.302(2), F.S., as of August 26, 2026). A separate religious exemption for programs that are an “integral part of church or parochial schools” conducting regularly scheduled educational programs and accredited by, or a member of, an organization that publishes and requires compliance with its standards for health, safety, and sanitation exists under § 402.316, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), but an exempt facility must still clear background screening under ss. 402.305 and 402.3055, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026) or forfeit the exemption; consult DCF or legal counsel if it may apply to you.

Licensing Fees

Florida’s state licensing fees are established by § 402.315(3), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), and are charged initially and annually (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(a)-(b), effective September 1, 2026):

• Child Care Facility Fee: $1 per child, based on licensed capacity, subject to a $25 minimum and a $100 maximum per facility (§ 402.315(3), F.S., as of August 26, 2026). Because the fee is capped, a 25-child center pays $25, and any center of 100 or more pays only the $100 maximum.
• Late Renewal Fine: $100, imposed under Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(2)(c) (effective September 1, 2026) if the renewal application is not submitted at least 45 days prior to expiration.
• Background Screening Costs: Not published by the agency. DCF states that fingerprints must be obtained using LiveScan technology and that actual costs vary by live scan provider (DCF Child Care Licensing FAQ, as of August 26, 2026).
• Local County Fees: Set locally by Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties; these differ from the state fee and must be obtained directly from the county agency.

Application and Decision Timelines

Florida child care statutes set no specific processing deadline for initial licenses. For the 63 counties DCF licenses directly, the timeline comes from the Administrative Procedure Act under § 120.60(1), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026); operators in Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, or Sarasota apply through a local agency and should confirm the timeline there. Under that section:

• Completeness Review: Within 30 days of receiving an application, DCF must notify the applicant of any errors or omissions and request additional information (§ 120.60(1), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).
• Decision Window: DCF must approve or deny within 90 days of receiving a completed application, unless a shorter period is provided by law (§ 120.60(1), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).
• Default Approval: If DCF misses the window, the application is considered approved (unless a recommended order recommends denial), and the applicant must notify the agency clerk in writing before relying on it (§ 120.60(1), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).
• Provisional License: Under § 402.309, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), a provisional license may be issued to an applicant or licensee “unable to meet all the standards” in ss. 402.301–402.319, for up to 6 months (renewable once for up to 6 months under unusual circumstances beyond the control of the applicant). Effective September 1, 2026, Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(3)(d) provides that, except under § 402.309(3), F.S., a provisional license “may not be issued as the initial license and is not a disciplinary sanction” — so it generally serves licensees at renewal, not first-time applicants (§ 402.309(3), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).

Staff Qualifications and the Director Credential

The Florida Director Credential

Under § 402.305(2), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), a director credential “shall be a required minimum standard for licensing.” DCF issues the Florida Director Credential in three levels (DCF Director Credential page, retrieved August 26, 2026), renewed every five years using CF-FSP Form 5290 (May 2019 edition):

• Core (All Levels): An active Staff Credential (excluding the Employment Recognition Exemption), a high school diploma or G.E.D., the 30-Hour Part I DCF Introductory Child Care Training, and 8 hours of training on children with disabilities.
• Level I: Core, plus an approved “Overview of Child Care Management” course or an out-of-state director credential.
• Level II: Level I, plus at least one year as an on-site director in a licensed facility (documented by an owner’s letter or the facility license).
• Advanced: Core, plus at least two years as an on-site director, the management course or an out-of-state credential, and either an Associate’s degree (or higher) or at least two college courses in child care leadership, child care financial/legal issues, or programming.

Renewal requires acceptable Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a “Professional Contribution” that demonstrates a dedication to early childhood or school-age education outside the child care program’s day-to-day responsibilities (DCF Director Credential page, retrieved August 26, 2026).

Staff Training and Age Requirements

• Training Hours: All child care personnel must complete an approved 40-clock-hour introductory course within 1 year of starting the training, 10 clock hours (or 1 CEU) of annual in-service training, and 5 clock hours (or 0.5 CEU) in early literacy and language development (§ 402.305(2)(d), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).
• CPR: At least one staff member trained in person in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be present at all times children are on-site (§ 402.305(2)(d), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).
• Minimum Ages: The facility operator must be at least 21 years old. Employees must be at least 16; staff under 18 must be directly supervised and cannot be counted toward staff-to-child ratios (§ 402.305(2), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).

Background Screening Requirements

All child care personnel—defined by § 402.302(3), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026) as all owners, operators, employees, and volunteers working in a child care facility, plus family members over age 12 with direct child contact—must clear a Level 2 Background Screening under Chapter 435, F.S. and § 402.305(2), F.S., both as of August 26, 2026. The statute excludes after-hours workers when no children are present, school personnel during regular hours, and volunteers working under 10 hours monthly.

• Scope: Employment history, criminal history, sexual predator/offender registries, and child abuse and neglect registries from the relevant states (§ 402.302(15), F.S., as of August 26, 2026). FBI resubmission is handled under § 435.12, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), below.
• The Clearinghouse Requirement: Under § 435.12, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), employers must register with and initiate all criminal history checks through the clearinghouse before referring an employee or potential employee for LiveScan fingerprinting. Prints are retained by FDLE and resubmitted for an FBI national check every five years.
• Provisional Hire: On receiving the criminal history record check, the department must complete screening within 3 business days or issue a 45-day provisional-hire status under which the employee works with direct supervision required while results are pending (§ 402.305(2), F.S., as of August 26, 2026).
• Attestation and Personnel-File Standard: CF-FSP Form 1649A (Child Care Attestation of Good Moral Character, July 2024 edition) is required under Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(7)(a) (effective September 1, 2026); CF-FSP Form 5131 (Background Screening and Personnel File Requirements, May 2019 edition) is the personnel-file standard under Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(7)(b) (effective September 1, 2026).
• Licensing Block: A license cannot be issued or renewed if any personnel fail background screening (§ 402.308, F.S., as of August 26, 2026).

Legal-Advice Disclaimer: If an employee or applicant is flagged as disqualified, an exemption-from-disqualification process exists; contact DCF, or consult legal counsel, about that process.

Ratios and Group Size

Staff-to-child ratios are established by § 402.305(4), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026). Florida does not regulate maximum group sizes.

• Mixed-Age Groups: When children of different ages are grouped together, Florida applies the ratio of the age group with the largest number of children (§ 402.305(4)(a)7, F.S., as of August 26, 2026), rather than the youngest child’s ratio.
• Enforcement: Ratio violations are Class II violations under CF-FSP Form 5316 (December 2025), escalating to Class I if they result in death or serious harm to a child (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(1)(e)1, effective September 1, 2026).

For a complete breakdown of Florida’s age-specific staff-to-child ratios, see our companion Florida daycare ratios guide.

Inspections and Public Records

Under § 402.311, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), licensed facilities must grant DCF or local licensing inspectors access to personnel and premises during regular business hours.

• Frequency: While the statute sets no interval, DCF operating policy provides that licensed child care centers are inspected at least three times per year (DCF Child Care Licensing FAQ, as of August 26, 2026).
• Fire Safety: Initial and renewal applications must include an approved fire inspection or an alternative fire safety plan approved by the local fire marshal’s office (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(c), effective September 1, 2026).
• Public Access: Facility licensing and inspection records can be looked up through DCF’s CARES Public Search portal (caressearch.myflfamilies.com).

License Renewal Mechanics

A Florida child care license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually (§ 402.308(1), F.S., as of August 26, 2026). Before renewal, the licensing authority reexamines the facility and its records (§ 402.308, F.S., as of August 26, 2026).

1. Submission Deadline: A completed CF-FSP Form 5017 (May 2019 edition) must be submitted to the licensing authority at least 45 days prior to the expiration of the current license (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(d), effective September 1, 2026).
2. Late Filing Penalty: Failing to file 45 days early constitutes a licensing violation (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(d), effective September 1, 2026) and carries a $100 late fine (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(2)(c), effective September 1, 2026).
3. Required Attachments: The packet must include the annual licensing fee, an owner or designated-representative signature, background screening clearances for the owner/operator/director, and an approved fire inspection or approved alternative fire safety plan (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(b)–(c), effective September 1, 2026).
4. Fines Block Renewal: Under Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(4) (effective September 1, 2026), a license will not be renewed if the licensee has not paid all previously owed fines to the Department.

Violations and Enforcement

Violations are categorized into three classes under Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(1)(e) (effective September 1, 2026), based on the standards in CF-FSP Form 5316 (December 2025):

• Class I: The most serious violations, defined by the Class I standards on CF-FSP Form 5316 (and Form 5427 for school-age facilities, both December 2025 edition).
• Class II: Noncompliance with an individual Class II standard on CF-FSP Form 5316 (December 2025); staff-to-child ratio violations fall here.
• Class III: Noncompliance with an individual Class III standard, counted only when it occurs at least three times within a two-year period (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(1)(e), effective September 1, 2026).

Progressive Discipline and Fine Ladders

Administrative fines are capped by statute at $100 per violation, per day (or up to $500 per violation, per day for violations that could cause death or serious harm) under § 402.310(1), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026). The progressive fine ladder for Class II violations (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(2)(d), effective September 1, 2026) is:

A violation occurring more than two years before a repeat of the same standard is not counted for progressive discipline, though the program’s history is still weighed for continued licensure (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(2)(b), effective September 1, 2026).

Family Notification and Criminal Penalties

• Family Notification: If DCF issues an intent to deny or revoke, or a cease-and-desist letter, the provider must supply enrolled children’s names and their primary caregivers’ contacts, and DCF will attempt to reach at least one caregiver per child to inform them of the impending action (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(5), effective September 1, 2026).
• Criminal Exposure: Knowingly operating (or attempting to operate) a child care facility without a license, or under a license that is suspended, revoked, or terminated, is a first-degree misdemeanor (§ 402.319, F.S., as of August 26, 2026). Where child care personnel misrepresent facts to a parent, the parent relies on that misrepresentation, and a child then suffers great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, permanent disability, or death, the offense is a second-degree felony (§ 402.319, F.S., as of August 26, 2026).

Legal-Advice Disclaimer: License actions are determined under Chapter 120, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026); an operator facing enforcement has the right to request an administrative hearing under § 402.310, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026) and should consult legal counsel promptly about those rights and their deadlines.

Relocation, Ownership Changes, and Second Sites

A Florida child care license is strictly non-transferable between owners and locations (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(3)(a), effective September 1, 2026).

Second Sites and Relocation

Because a license is tied to a single physical address, it does not travel to a new location (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(3)(a), effective September 1, 2026), and opening a second site requires a completely new license application, a separate license, an independent fire inspection (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(c), effective September 1, 2026), and a second annual $25–$100 licensing fee (§ 402.315(3), F.S., as of August 26, 2026). No multi-site or branch instrument exists in ss. 402.301–402.319, F.S. (as of August 26, 2026). Florida prescribes no separate relocation, amendment, or capacity-change fee: § 402.315(3) sets a single annual facility fee, so a capacity increase simply moves the next year’s fee within the $25–$100 band (§ 402.315(3), F.S., as of August 26, 2026). Confirm the current requirements with DCF (or your local licensing agency) before you relocate.

Change of Ownership

Under § 402.308(2), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026) and Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(4) (effective September 1, 2026):

• The facility must reapply and be licensed before the new owner assumes responsibility (§ 402.308(2), F.S., as of August 26, 2026); the prospective owner files a completed CF-FSP Form 5017 (May 2019 edition) prior to the final sale (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(4)(b), effective September 1, 2026). The 45-day clock carries two attributions: under § 402.308(2), F.S. (as of August 26, 2026), DCF must grant or deny the reapplication within 45 days of the facility’s reapplication; under Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(4)(b) (effective September 1, 2026), DCF has 45 days from receipt of a completed application to issue a license.
• Parent Notification: The facility must notify custodial parents or legal guardians at least one week prior to the change — by conspicuous notice, newsletter, or letters (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(4)(a), effective September 1, 2026).
• Anti-Shell Provision: A change of ownership cannot be made to a new corporation that shares some or all of the same corporate members as the previous owner (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(4)(c), effective September 1, 2026).
• Compliance History: Whether prior violation history follows to a new licensee is not addressed by the published sources; the enforcement rule speaks only to the program’s history, not the owner’s (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(2)(b), effective September 1, 2026). Confirm with DCF before a sale.

Sales and transfers carry legal and licensing steps beyond this summary; confirm current requirements with DCF (or your local licensing agency) and involve legal counsel.

The Managed Finance Perspective for Florida Operators

Operating a Florida child care facility means managing overlapping administrative calendars, where compliance and financial health are linked:

• Fines can accrue daily: The annual fee is capped at $100 (§ 402.315(3), F.S., as of August 26, 2026), but the progressive fine ladder is the real exposure — a Class II standard cited a third time runs at $60 per day, per violation, while it stands (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(2)(d), effective September 1, 2026), and an unpaid fine blocks renewal (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010(4), effective September 1, 2026).
• The 45-day renewal lock: Missing the 45-day renewal deadline is itself a citable violation carrying a $100 late fine (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(d) and 65C-22.010(2)(c), effective September 1, 2026), so the deadline and the accounts-payable ledger have to be watched together.
• Multi-site and five-year clocks: Each additional site carries its own renewal calendar, annual fee ($25–$100, § 402.315(3), F.S., as of August 26, 2026), screening roster, and fire inspection (Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(1)(c), effective September 1, 2026); separately, fingerprints resubmit for an FBI check every five years (§ 435.12, F.S., as of August 26, 2026) and the Director Credential renews every five years (DCF Director Credential page, retrieved August 26, 2026) — payroll and HR clocks before they are compliance ones.

Tactivus does bookkeeping and managed finance for child care operators. By running the finance function, Tactivus helps owners keep their back-office records, accounts payable, and multi-site reporting aligned with Florida’s regulatory deadlines.

Sources

Statutes (Florida Statutes)

• ss. 402.301–402.319, F.S. (Child Care Facilities)
• § 120.60(1), F.S. (Administrative Procedure Act licensing timeline)
• § 435.12, F.S. (Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse)

Administrative Code and incorporated materials

• Fla. Admin. Code ch. 65C-20 (Family Day Care Homes)
• Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001 (General Requirements; effective September 1, 2026)
• Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.010 (Enforcement; effective September 1, 2026)
• Fla. Admin. Code ch. 65C-22 rule history (flrules.org; rules 65C-22.0011, .002, .003, .004, .005, and .006 repealed October 25, 2017)
• Fla. Admin. Code ch. 65C-25 (Specialized Child Care Facilities for Mildly Ill Children)
• Child Care Facility Handbook (December 2025 edition; incorporated by reference at Fla. Admin. Code r. 65C-22.001(6))

DCF forms (CF-FSP)

• Form 5316, Child Care Facility Standards Classification Summary, and Form 5427, its school-age counterpart (both December 2025 edition)
• Form 5017, Application for a License to Operate a Child Care Facility (May 2019 edition); Form 5290, Director Credential and Renewal Application (May 2019 edition)
• Form 1649A, Child Care Attestation of Good Moral Character (July 2024 edition); Form 5131, Background Screening and Personnel File Requirements (May 2019 edition)

DCF pages and policies

• DCF, About Child Care Licensure; Frequently Asked Questions Specific to Child Care Licensing; Background Screening; Director Credential; Religious Exempt Provider Requirements; CARES Public Search (caressearch.myflfamilies.com)

Local licensing agencies: the Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Sarasota county agencies detailed in the table above.

Need Help Running Your Center’s Finance Function?

Managing payroll, tracking multi-site expenses, and ensuring your accounts payable are clear of outstanding fines require dedicated financial expertise. Tactivus provides managed finance for preschool and daycare operators, taking the day-to-day bookkeeping and back-office finance work off your plate so you can focus on running your center.

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