Arizona Childcare Licensing
Arizona Childcare License Exemption Threshold (2026)
Before you can legally care for children for pay in Arizona, you must know the license-exemption threshold — the point at which a child care license, registration, or certificate becomes mandatory. A license is required only at five or more unrelated children: Arizona defines a "child care facility" as a facility in which child care is regularly provided for compensation for five or more children not related to the proprietor, so caring for four or fewer unrelated children falls below the licensing threshold (A.R.S. § 36-881). A "child care group home" (certified by ADHS) is a residential home caring for not less than five but no more than ten children through age 12 (A.R.S. § 36-897.01). Caring for four or fewer unrelated children is unlicensed by falling under the statutory definition, not via the enumerated exemptions in A.R.S. § 36-884 (which cover only parental/relative, religious, school, instructional, and recreational programs).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamArizona License Exemption Threshold: The Specifics
A license is required only at five or more unrelated children: Arizona defines a "child care facility" as a facility in which child care is regularly provided for compensation for five or more children not related to the proprietor, so caring for four or fewer unrelated children falls below the licensing threshold (A.R.S. § 36-881).
A.R.S. § 36-881
A "child care group home" (certified by ADHS) is a residential home caring for not less than five but no more than ten children through age 12 (A.R.S. § 36-897.01).
A.R.S. § 36-897.01
Caring for four or fewer unrelated children is unlicensed by falling under the statutory definition, not via the enumerated exemptions in A.R.S. § 36-884 (which cover only parental/relative, religious, school, instructional, and recreational programs).
A.R.S. § 36-884
Arizona family child care homes are certified by the Department of Economic Security: a provider may care for a maximum of four children for compensation at one time (birth through age 12), or a maximum of six children total when no more than four are for compensation and no more than two of the children in care are younger than age 1 unless they are a sibling group (Ariz. Admin. Code R6-5-5220).
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Homes of five to ten children are instead certified as "child care group homes" by ADHS, which require two staff members present when six to ten children are in care (A.R.S. § 36-897.01).
A.R.S. § 36-897.01
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Arizona License Exemption Threshold: Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I care for in Arizona without a license?
A license is required only at five or more unrelated children: Arizona defines a "child care facility" as a facility in which child care is regularly provided for compensation for five or more children not related to the proprietor, so caring for four or fewer unrelated children falls below the licensing threshold (A.R.S. § 36-881). A "child care group home" (certified by ADHS) is a residential home caring for not less than five but no more than ten children through age 12 (A.R.S. § 36-897.01). Caring for four or fewer unrelated children is unlicensed by falling under the statutory definition, not via the enumerated exemptions in A.R.S. § 36-884 (which cover only parental/relative, religious, school, instructional, and recreational programs).
What is the penalty for operating unlicensed in Arizona?
Operating above the Arizona exemption threshold without the required license, registration, or certificate is generally unlawful and can carry fines and cease-and-desist orders. Contact the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care about the correct credential before you begin.
Does Arizona offer a voluntary registration for small providers?
Some states let providers below the exemption threshold register voluntarily. Confirm whether Arizona offers a voluntary registry with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care.
Arizona childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Arizona administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.