Who needs a child care center license in Arkansas?
Issued by Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood, Child Care Licensing (formerly DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Apply through the licensing unit with the zoning approval, the fire marshal’s and health department’s approvals, the floor plan and the director’s qualifications; the law gives the unit 60 days to process a complete application. Background checks, including fingerprinting and the child maltreatment registry, cover every staff member before the licensing visit. Child care licensing moved from DHS to the Department of Education in 2023.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood, Child Care Licensing (formerly DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education).
Sources and dates
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (016.22.20 Ark. Code R. 005), license fee section; Office of Early Childhood application guide. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
Yes. Apply through the licensing unit with the zoning approval, the fire marshal’s and health department’s approvals, the floor plan and the director’s qualifications; the law gives the unit 60 days to process a complete application.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for daycares.
Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood, Child Care Licensing (formerly DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education).
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a child care center license in Arkansas? | DoorWorthy
