Alaska Childcare Licensing
Alaska Childcare License Exemption Threshold (2026)
Before you can legally care for children for pay in Alaska, you must know the license-exemption threshold — the point at which a child care license, registration, or certificate becomes mandatory. A person may care for up to four (4) children who are not relatives of the caregiver, outside the child's own home, without a child care license; caring for more than a total of 4 children unrelated to the caregiver (outside the child's own home) that does not otherwise meet an exempt status requires licensure (7 AAC 57.015(a)(7); State of Alaska Child Care Licensing brochure: "Anyone providing care to more than a total of 4 children unrelated to the caregiver, outside of the child's own home that does not meet exempt status").
Licensing Agency
Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) — Child Care Licensing Program →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamAlaska License Exemption Threshold: The Specifics
A person may care for up to four (4) children who are not relatives of the caregiver, outside the child's own home, without a child care license
4
caring for more than a total of 4 children unrelated to the caregiver (outside the child's own home) that does not otherwise meet an exempt status requires licensure (7 AAC 57.015(a)(7)
otherwise meet an exempt status requires licensure (7
State of Alaska Child Care Licensing brochure: "Anyone providing care to more than a total of 4 children unrelated to the caregiver, outside of the child's own home that does not meet exempt status").
7 AAC 57.015(a)(7)
A child care HOME has at least one caregiver and may serve no more than a total of 8 children younger than 13 (including the caregiver's own children under 13), of whom no more than 3 may be younger than 30 months and no more than 2 may be nonambulatory
including the caregiver's own children under 13
a child care GROUP HOME has at least two caregivers and may serve no more than a total of 12 children younger than 13, of whom no more than 5 may be younger than 30 months and no more than 4 may be nonambulatory (7 AAC 57.505(a), (b)
7 AAC 57.505(a)
State of Alaska Child Care Licensing brochure).
7 AAC 57.505(a), (b)
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Alaska License Exemption Threshold: Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I care for in Alaska without a license?
A person may care for up to four (4) children who are not relatives of the caregiver, outside the child's own home, without a child care license; caring for more than a total of 4 children unrelated to the caregiver (outside the child's own home) that does not otherwise meet an exempt status requires licensure (7 AAC 57.015(a)(7); State of Alaska Child Care Licensing brochure: "Anyone providing care to more than a total of 4 children unrelated to the caregiver, outside of the child's own home that does not meet exempt status").
What is the penalty for operating unlicensed in Alaska?
Operating above the Alaska exemption threshold without the required license, registration, or certificate is generally unlawful and can carry fines and cease-and-desist orders. Contact the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) — Child Care Licensing Program about the correct credential before you begin.
Does Alaska offer a voluntary registration for small providers?
Some states let providers below the exemption threshold register voluntarily. Confirm whether Alaska offers a voluntary registry with the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) — Child Care Licensing Program.
Alaska childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Alaska administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) — Child Care Licensing Program before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.