Indiana Childcare Licensing
Indiana Childcare Licensing Fees (2026)
Indiana childcare licensing carries an application fee at first licensure and, in most cases, a recurring fee at renewal. No initial license application fee for a licensed child care home or licensed child care center is set in the Indiana Administrative Code (470 IAC 3-1.1 homes; 470 IAC 3-4.7 centers); the only child-care registration fees codified in statute are two separate fifty-dollar ($50) fees charged to a child care MINISTRY (not to licensed homes/centers): a $50 division processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-12) and a $50 state fire-marshal processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-13). Could not verify any state-charged application fee for licensed homes/centers against an Indiana .gov source.
Licensing Agency
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamIndiana Licensing Fees: The Specifics
No initial license application fee for a licensed child care home or licensed child care center is set in the Indiana Administrative Code (470 IAC 3-1.1 homes
home or licensed child care center is set in the Indiana Administrative Code (4
the only child-care registration fees codified in statute are two separate fifty-dollar ($50) fees charged to a child care MINISTRY (not to licensed homes/centers): a $50 division processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-12) and a $50 state fire-marshal processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-13).
IC 12-17.2-6-13
Could not verify any state-charged application fee for licensed homes/centers against an Indiana .gov source.
470 IAC 3-1.1 homes
No license renewal fee for a licensed child care home or center is specified in Indiana's licensing rules
470 IAC 3-1.1-27, which states no fee
home licenses operate on a biennial cycle, with applications "submitted by the applicant every two (2) years" (470 IAC 3-1.1-27, which states no fee).
470 IAC 3-1.1-27, which states no fee
Could not verify any state-charged renewal fee for licensed homes/centers against an Indiana .gov source.
470 IAC 3-1.1-27, which states no fee
Indiana Licensing Fees at a Glance
| Application fee | No initial license application fee for a licensed child care home or licensed child care center is set in the Indiana Administrative Code (470 IAC 3-1.1 homes; 470 IAC 3-4.7 centers); the only child-care registration fees codified in statute are two separate fifty-dollar ($50) fees charged to a child care MINISTRY (not to licensed homes/centers): a $50 division processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-12) and a $50 state fire-marshal processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-13). Could not verify any state-charged application fee for licensed homes/centers against an Indiana .gov source. |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | No license renewal fee for a licensed child care home or center is specified in Indiana's licensing rules; home licenses operate on a biennial cycle, with applications "submitted by the applicant every two (2) years" (470 IAC 3-1.1-27, which states no fee). Could not verify any state-charged renewal fee for licensed homes/centers against an Indiana .gov source. |
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Indiana Licensing Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Indiana childcare license cost?
No initial license application fee for a licensed child care home or licensed child care center is set in the Indiana Administrative Code (470 IAC 3-1.1 homes; 470 IAC 3-4.7 centers); the only child-care registration fees codified in statute are two separate fifty-dollar ($50) fees charged to a child care MINISTRY (not to licensed homes/centers): a $50 division processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-12) and a $50 state fire-marshal processing fee (IC 12-17.2-6-13). Could not verify any state-charged application fee for licensed homes/centers against an Indiana .gov source.
What is the Indiana childcare license renewal fee?
No license renewal fee for a licensed child care home or center is specified in Indiana's licensing rules; home licenses operate on a biennial cycle, with applications "submitted by the applicant every two (2) years" (470 IAC 3-1.1-27, which states no fee). Could not verify any state-charged renewal fee for licensed homes/centers against an Indiana .gov source.
Are Indiana 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 Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care before paying.
Indiana childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Indiana administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.