Who needs a child care center license in New Jersey?
Issued by New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
A center cares for six or more children under 13. Apply with the zoning approval, the certificate of occupancy, the fire and health approvals, the floor plan and the director’s credentials; background checks and the Child Abuse Record Information check cover every staff member before the inspection.
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 New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing.
Sources and dates
DCF Office of Licensing child care center application documents; N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.1. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
Yes. A center cares for six or more children under 13.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for daycares.
New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing.
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 New Jersey? | DoorWorthy
