Vermont Childcare Licensing
Vermont Childcare Licensing Fees (2026)
Vermont childcare licensing carries an application fee at first licensure and, in most cases, a recurring fee at renewal. Vermont imposes no state application or registration fee to become a licensed or registered child care provider; 33 V.S.A. chapter 35 authorizes no such fee (its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families), and the Family Child Care Home Licensing Regulations and the FCCH application Resource Guide contain no fee (Vermont DCF Child Development Division; 33 V.S.A. ch. 35).
Licensing Agency
Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) — Child Care Licensing Unit →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamVermont Licensing Fees: The Specifics
Vermont imposes no state application or registration fee to become a licensed or registered child care provider
its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families
33 V.S.A. chapter 35 authorizes no such fee (its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families), and the Family Child Care Home Licensing Regulations and the FCCH application Resource Guide contain no fee (Vermont DCF Child Development Division
its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families
No state renewal fee is charged
Vermont Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes § 2.3.6.1.2 and § 2.3.9
a full license is effective for three (3) years from the date of issuance, and the renewal procedures impose no fee (Vermont Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes § 2.3.6.1.2 and § 2.3.9
Homes § 2.3.6.1.2
Center Based regs § 2.3.7.1.2 and § 2.3.10).
regs § 2.3.7.1.2
Vermont Licensing Fees at a Glance
| Application fee | Vermont imposes no state application or registration fee to become a licensed or registered child care provider; 33 V.S.A. chapter 35 authorizes no such fee (its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families), and the Family Child Care Home Licensing Regulations and the FCCH application Resource Guide contain no fee (Vermont DCF Child Development Division; 33 V.S.A. ch. 35). |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | No state renewal fee is charged; a full license is effective for three (3) years from the date of issuance, and the renewal procedures impose no fee (Vermont Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes § 2.3.6.1.2 and § 2.3.9; Center Based regs § 2.3.7.1.2 and § 2.3.10). |
Go Deeper
Generate a Vermont-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Vermont childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Vermont Licensing Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Vermont childcare license cost?
Vermont imposes no state application or registration fee to become a licensed or registered child care provider; 33 V.S.A. chapter 35 authorizes no such fee (its only fee provision, § 3516, instead prohibits providers from charging certain application/waitlist fees to families), and the Family Child Care Home Licensing Regulations and the FCCH application Resource Guide contain no fee (Vermont DCF Child Development Division; 33 V.S.A. ch. 35).
What is the Vermont childcare license renewal fee?
No state renewal fee is charged; a full license is effective for three (3) years from the date of issuance, and the renewal procedures impose no fee (Vermont Licensing Regulations for Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes § 2.3.6.1.2 and § 2.3.9; Center Based regs § 2.3.7.1.2 and § 2.3.10).
Are Vermont 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 Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) — Child Care Licensing Unit before paying.
Vermont childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Vermont administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) — Child Care Licensing Unit before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.