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
- Family Home: is a private residence in which care is provided for 3-8 children on a regular basis and is considered Registered
- 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
- 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
- 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.
For more information and support on becoming licensed or registered, contact your local SPARK Learning Lab or our Child Care Licensing Team.
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