Become a Multi-Licensed Care Provider

A multi‑licensed provider is someone who holds more than one out‑of‑home care license. For example, a person may have a family foster care license and one or more child care licenses.

Having more than one license helps reduce barriers and makes it easier for families to be both foster parents and child care providers. Families with multiple DCYF licenses can offer stable, consistent care and support for children and youth.

Why become a licensed or certified family home child care provider?

 When you become a licensed or certified family home child care provider, you offer children and youth a safe, healthy, and caring place to grow. You also receive state support and resources to help you succeed.

Why become a foster parent?

When you become a foster parent, you provide children and youth a safe, loving, and temporary home. You help them stay connected to their school, community, parents, and siblings during a difficult time.

If you have a family member in foster care, you can learn about how to support them by visiting our Kinship webpage.

Benefits of becoming Multi-Licensed

• You can welcome children in foster care into your home.
• You can provide quality child care services to families in your community.
• You may receive both a monthly foster care reimbursement and a monthly child welfare child care payment when a child in your care attends your licensed child care program.
• If you care for children on a regular basis, you may need a license. Some caregiver—such as informal parent cooperatives or Family, Friends, and Neighbor providers who offer occasional care—do not need a license.
• You can apply for both a foster care license and a child care license at the same time, though it may be easier to complete one first and then apply for the other.
• You can close one license at any time and keep the other. Each license has its own process and requirements.

Steps to becoming Multi-Licensed

If you are a licensed or certified child care provider and want to become a foster parent — or if you are a licensed foster parent and want to become a child care provider — follow these steps:

• Step One: Email dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov to ask about multi‑licensing and to learn whether having more than one out‑of‑home care license is a good fit for you.
• Step Two: No matter which license you apply for, you will receive early and ongoing support. This includes help with pre‑service training, the application process, licensing, and ongoing requirements.