Pennsylvania Childcare License Exemption Threshold (2026)

Pennsylvania requires a Certificate of Compliance once out-of-home care is provided to four or more unrelated children 15 or younger, so up to three unrelated children may be cared for without certification

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4-6 unrelated children is a certified Family Child Care Home (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to facilities caring for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator and who are 15 years of age or younger'), and 7 or more triggers the Group Child Care Home or Child Care Center chapters (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51 caps a Group Child Care Home at 12 unrelated children

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55 Pa. Code § 3270.3 applies to facilities serving 'seven or more children, 15 years of age or younger').

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Exemptions include care provided by relatives, care provided during the hours of instruction in nonpublic schools and in private nursery schools and kindergartens, care furnished in places of worship during religious services, and care in a facility where the parent is present at all times (55 Pa. Code § 3270.3).

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A Pennsylvania Family Child Care Home may care for a maximum of six unrelated children at one time (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to care for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator')

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of these, no more than five related and unrelated infants and toddlers combined and no more than two infants may receive care at any one time (55 Pa. Code § 3290.52).

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Caring for 7-12 children requires the larger Group Child Care Home certification, which caps at no more than 12 children unrelated to the operator (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51).

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How many children can I care for in Pennsylvania without a license?

Pennsylvania requires a Certificate of Compliance once out-of-home care is provided to four or more unrelated children 15 or younger, so up to three unrelated children may be cared for without certification; 4-6 unrelated children is a certified Family Child Care Home (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to facilities caring for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator and who are 15 years of age or younger'), and 7 or more triggers the Group Child Care Home or Child Care Center chapters (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51 caps a Group Child Care Home at 12 unrelated children; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.3 applies to facilities serving 'seven or more children, 15 years of age or younger'). Exemptions include care provided by relatives, care provided during the hours of instruction in nonpublic schools and in private nursery schools and kindergartens, care furnished in places of worship during religious services, and care in a facility where the parent is present at all times (55 Pa. Code § 3270.3).

What is the penalty for operating unlicensed in Pennsylvania?

Operating above the Pennsylvania exemption threshold without the required license, registration, or certificate is generally unlawful and can carry fines and cease-and-desist orders. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services about the correct credential before you begin.

Does Pennsylvania offer a voluntary registration for small providers?

Some states let providers below the exemption threshold register voluntarily. Confirm whether Pennsylvania offers a voluntary registry with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services.