Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Hilo, HI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii has no sales tax. Instead the state levies a General Excise Tax on the gross income of the business itself, and unlike a sales tax it reaches services, commissions and rent as well as goods. Every business must register for a GET licence with the Department of Taxation on Form BB-1 before doing business. The rate is 4% statewide, rising to 4.5% on Oahu because of the 0.5% county surcharge, and it is owed on gross income whether or not it is passed on to the customer.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

2. Hawaii Background Check Requirement

   All staff, volunteers, and household members (for family daycares) in Hawaii child care facilities must undergo criminal background checks through the state and FBI.

   Official government source

   $25–$75 per person·1–4 weeks

   $25–$75 per person

   1–4 weeks

1. Hawaii Department of Human Services — Child Care Facility License

   Child care centres in Hawaii are licensed by the Department of Human Services through its Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division. Licensing covers criminal history and child abuse background clearances for staff, facility inspections, and compliance with the state's health and safety standards, ending in a licensing study before the licence is issued.

   Official government source

   No licensing fee is charged by DHS; the costs are the background checks, inspections and facility upgrades needed to meet the standards·Plan several months: the process runs from application through background clearances, facility inspections and a licensing study before the license is issued

   No licensing fee is charged by DHS; the costs are the background checks, inspections and facility upgrades needed to meet the standards

   Plan several months: the process runs from application through background clearances, facility inspections and a licensing study before the license is issued

2. Hawaii State General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii County does not issue a general county business license. Every business operating in Hilo must obtain a State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license, a one-time $20 filing with the Dept. of Taxation. Specific business types may need separate state or county permits.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)·Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)

   Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

3. Building and Fire Safety Inspection (Hawaii County)

   Child care centers in Hilo must pass building and fire safety inspections as part of DHS child care licensing, covering fire suppression, egress, ADA accessibility and child-proofing. The Hawaii County Department of Public Works, Building Division handles building and occupancy approval and the Hawaiʻi Fire Department enforces the fire code; the County Finance Department has no role in either.

   Official government source

   No separate flat inspection fee; costs arise from the county building permit (valuation-based) and any corrective work needed to pass·Schedule inspections alongside the DHS licensing study; timing depends on whether construction or a change of occupancy is involved

   No separate flat inspection fee; costs arise from the county building permit (valuation-based) and any corrective work needed to pass

   Schedule inspections alongside the DHS licensing study; timing depends on whether construction or a change of occupancy is involved

Official Sources

• Hawaii Department of Human Services — Child Care Facility License
• County of Hawaii Finance Department

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