Georgia Childcare Licensing

Georgia Childcare Licensing Fees (2026)

Georgia childcare licensing carries an application fee at first licensure and, in most cases, a recurring fee at renewal. Georgia charges no separate initial application fee; the only charge is the license fee, which for a Family Child Care Learning Home is a flat $50.00 annual fee (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f)), and for a Child Care Learning Center is a capacity-based annual fee of $50 (25 or fewer), $100 (26-50), $150 (51-100), $200 (101-200), or $250 (over 200) per the DECAL License Fee schedule (decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx).

Licensing Agency

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Georgia Licensing Fees: The Specifics

Georgia charges no separate initial application fee

decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx

the only charge is the license fee, which for a Family Child Care Learning Home is a flat $50.00 annual fee (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f)), and for a Child Care Learning Center is a capacity-based annual fee of $50 (25 or fewer), $100 (26-50), $150 (51-100), $200 (101-200), or $250 (over 200) per the DECAL License Fee schedule (decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx).

decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx

The license fee is annual and equals the same amount as the initial fee — $50.00 per year for a Family Child Care Learning Home and the capacity-based $50-$250 per year for a Child Care Learning Center, payable by the date set by the Department

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a late fee of up to $250.00 may be imposed if not paid by the due date (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f)

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DECAL License Fee Information page).

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Georgia Licensing Fees at a Glance

Application feeGeorgia charges no separate initial application fee; the only charge is the license fee, which for a Family Child Care Learning Home is a flat $50.00 annual fee (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f)), and for a Child Care Learning Center is a capacity-based annual fee of $50 (25 or fewer), $100 (26-50), $150 (51-100), $200 (101-200), or $250 (over 200) per the DECAL License Fee schedule (decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx).
Renewal feeThe license fee is annual and equals the same amount as the initial fee — $50.00 per year for a Family Child Care Learning Home and the capacity-based $50-$250 per year for a Child Care Learning Center, payable by the date set by the Department; a late fee of up to $250.00 may be imposed if not paid by the due date (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f); DECAL License Fee Information page).

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Georgia Licensing Fees: Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Georgia childcare license cost?

Georgia charges no separate initial application fee; the only charge is the license fee, which for a Family Child Care Learning Home is a flat $50.00 annual fee (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f)), and for a Child Care Learning Center is a capacity-based annual fee of $50 (25 or fewer), $100 (26-50), $150 (51-100), $200 (101-200), or $250 (over 200) per the DECAL License Fee schedule (decal.ga.gov/CCS/licensefeeinformation.aspx).

What is the Georgia childcare license renewal fee?

The license fee is annual and equals the same amount as the initial fee — $50.00 per year for a Family Child Care Learning Home and the capacity-based $50-$250 per year for a Child Care Learning Center, payable by the date set by the Department; a late fee of up to $250.00 may be imposed if not paid by the due date (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-3-.04(1)(f); DECAL License Fee Information page).

Are Georgia licensing fees refundable?

In most states, licensing application fees are non-refundable even if the application is denied or withdrawn. Confirm the refund policy with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning before paying.

Georgia childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Georgia administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.