Licensing Process

Pre-Licensing Support – Personalized Services

DCYF’s Pre-Licensing Support team helps people who want to become licensed early learning providers. The team offers personalized support to guide individuals through licensing process. 

Support is available in group sessions and one-on-one meetings. Participants receive technical assistance to get ready for their first visit with the Pre-Licensing Support team.

Support and coaching include:

  • Help completing the licensing application
  • Education about the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
  • Guidance on how to open a child care program
  • Information about running a child care program in different regions of Washington state
  • Tools and resources for different types of child care licenses

DCYF hopes these expanded pre-licensing supports will reduce barriers and help more people succeed during the application process. 

To learn more about the licensing process, email dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov.  

For questions about Outdoor Nature-Based child care licensing, email dcyf.outdoornaturebasedchildcare@dcyf.wa.gov.

Licensing Orientation

The early learning program licensing process includes an online orientation, where the information will be available based on facility type. The online orientation is available in English, Spanish and Somali.

After completing the orientation, you will understand: 

  • DCYF’s role in the licensing process
  • Why high-quality early learning care is important
  • The roles in the early learning community and different licensed facility types
  • The ages served by early learning programs
  • Washington's quality rating improvement system
  • The difference between WAC and RCW and what this means for your facility
  • The requirements to become licensed or certified
  • Education requirements for different early learning provider roles
  • Key factors to consider when starting your business
  • What to expect during a licensing visit
  • The application process and timelines

Go to the DCYF Training site and search for the orientation that matches your facility type:

  • Licensing Orientation for Family Home Providers
  • Licensing Orientation for Center Providers
  • Licensing Orientation for School Age Providers
  • Licensing Orientation for Outdoor Nature-Based Providers

Business Start-Up Series Registration Selection Tool

The Business Start-Up Series Registration Selection Tool helps you find the correct licensing orientation or other training for your facility type. It also helps connect you to DCYF programs as you start your business.

The tool is available in English, Somali, and Spanish.

Step One

If you do not have a Stars ID number, register for one in MERIT.

Step Two

Visit the DCYF Training Site. If this is your first time, you will need to register as a new user.

Step Three

Complete the Orientation and save your certificate of completion.

The training site will automatically record your completed training in your MERIT Professional Record. and You will need to submit your certificate with your application. Your certificate of completion will be available on the training site. If your completed training is not recorded in your MERIT Professional Record, contact MERIT@dcyf.wa.gov.

Step Four

If you want to apply for a child care license, email the Welcome Team at dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov.

If you require a language besides English, Spanish, or Somali, or have another special accommodation, email dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov with the following information:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Physical address of the early learning program
  • Expected opening date for the program

For more information about school-age only or outdoor nature-based programs, visit the School-Age Providers or the Outdoor Nature-Based Child Care Programs webpages.