Child Care Licensing

The role of the Child Care Licensing (CCL) program is to monitor, inspect, and support licensed and registered childcare facilities, as well as those working to become licensed or registered. Additionally, CCL establishes regulations for the health, safety, and well-being of the children in these facilities. All licensed or registered programs receive a pre-inspection prior to providing care, ongoing monitoring and an annual inspection, and complaints are followed up on.

Do I need to be licensed or registered?

There are different types of licensed/registered childcare programs in Montana:

• Family, Friend, Neighbor Provider: is a Registered provider which may provide care in a child’s home or in the provider’s residence for a sibling group of any size or no more than 4 unrelated children
  • Apply to be an FFN Provider

• Family Home: is a private residence in which care is provided for 3-8 children on a regular basis and is considered Registered
  • View required documents & Apply to become a Family provider OR apply online

• Group Home: is a private residence or other structure in which care is provided for 9 to 15 children on a regular basis and is considered Registered
  • View required documents & Apply to become a Group provider OR apply online

• Center: is an out-of-home place in which care is provided to 16 or more children on a regular or irregular basis and is considered Licensed
  • View required documents & Apply to become a Center OR apply online

• Relative Care Exempt Provider: is a provider that may care for either a sibling group of any size or no more than 2 children from separate households. "Relative care" means the child is the brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandchild, or great grandchild of the person providing childcare and includes a child in a step, foster, or adoptive relationship. This provider type is considered ‘License Exempt’ and is for Best Beginnings Childcare Scholarship payment purposes only.
  • Apply to become an RCE provider

For more information and support on becoming licensed or registered, contact your local SPARK Learning Lab or our  Child Care Licensing Team.

New Facility Flowchart

Quick Information for Staff

New Director Orientation Flowchart

New Teacher Orientation Flowchart

FBI Fingerprint Information

Please visit  Spark Montana  for locations that offer free FBI fingerprinting for child care providers. 

Can't make it to a Spark Montana location for fingerprints, here are other fingerprinting locations by county

The following forms are required by Child Care Licensing to complete an FBI background check.   FBI Forms

If you obtain inked fingerprints they can be submitted directly to Child Care Licensing ( please include 2 copies).  Payment may not be required unless fingerprints are for an interstate check.  If you are not sure if payment is needed please check with Child Care Licensing.  

Contact Information

Child Care Licensing

Phone: (406)444-2012

Fax: (406)444-2750

Email: childcarelicensing@mt.gov

Mail: PO Box 4210

Helena, MT 59620-4210