North Dakota Childcare Licensing
North Dakota Childcare Licensing Fees (2026)
North Dakota childcare licensing carries an application fee at first licensure and, in most cases, a recurring fee at renewal. The nonrefundable annual license fee is twenty dollars for a family child care (or thirty-five dollars for a two-year license), twenty-five dollars for group child care (forty-five for two years), thirty dollars for a preschool (fifty-five for two years), forty dollars for a child care center (seventy-five for two years), and fifty dollars for a multiple licensed program (ninety-five for two years) (NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)).
Licensing Agency
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamNorth Dakota Licensing Fees: The Specifics
The nonrefundable annual license fee is twenty dollars for a family child care (or thirty-five dollars for a two-year license), twenty-five dollars for group child care (forty-five for two years), thirty dollars for a preschool (fifty-five for two years), forty dollars for a child care center (seventy-five for two years), and fifty dollars for a multiple licensed program (ninety-five for two years) (NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)).
NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)
A license renewal uses the same nonrefundable fee schedule as the initial application (e.g., twenty dollars annually or thirty-five dollars for a two-year family child care license) and must be filed at least sixty days and no more than ninety days before expiration
e.g., twenty dollars annually or thirty-five dollars for a two-year family child care license
if submitted less than sixty days before expiration, the applicant must pay two times the nonrefundable fees, and a license may not be effective for longer than two years (NDCC 50-11.1-03(8) and 50-11.1-04).
NDCC 50-11.1-03(8) and 50-11.1-04
North Dakota Licensing Fees at a Glance
| Application fee | The nonrefundable annual license fee is twenty dollars for a family child care (or thirty-five dollars for a two-year license), twenty-five dollars for group child care (forty-five for two years), thirty dollars for a preschool (fifty-five for two years), forty dollars for a child care center (seventy-five for two years), and fifty dollars for a multiple licensed program (ninety-five for two years) (NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)). |
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| Renewal fee | A license renewal uses the same nonrefundable fee schedule as the initial application (e.g., twenty dollars annually or thirty-five dollars for a two-year family child care license) and must be filed at least sixty days and no more than ninety days before expiration; if submitted less than sixty days before expiration, the applicant must pay two times the nonrefundable fees, and a license may not be effective for longer than two years (NDCC 50-11.1-03(8) and 50-11.1-04). |
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North Dakota Licensing Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a North Dakota childcare license cost?
The nonrefundable annual license fee is twenty dollars for a family child care (or thirty-five dollars for a two-year license), twenty-five dollars for group child care (forty-five for two years), thirty dollars for a preschool (fifty-five for two years), forty dollars for a child care center (seventy-five for two years), and fifty dollars for a multiple licensed program (ninety-five for two years) (NDCC 50-11.1-03(7)).
What is the North Dakota childcare license renewal fee?
A license renewal uses the same nonrefundable fee schedule as the initial application (e.g., twenty dollars annually or thirty-five dollars for a two-year family child care license) and must be filed at least sixty days and no more than ninety days before expiration; if submitted less than sixty days before expiration, the applicant must pay two times the nonrefundable fees, and a license may not be effective for longer than two years (NDCC 50-11.1-03(8) and 50-11.1-04).
Are North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit) before paying.
North Dakota childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published North Dakota administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.