Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Nampa, ID

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. Idaho State Tax Commission — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Idaho. Idaho charges a 6% state sales tax. Some cities have local option taxes. Register with the Idaho State Tax Commission online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via TAP)

   Free

   Immediate (online via TAP)

2. Idaho Background Check Requirement

   Idaho requires owners, operators, staff, and any other individual age 13 or older who has unsupervised direct contact with children or is regularly on the premises (including household members at a family daycare home) to complete an Idaho and FBI criminal history and background check clearance through the Department of Health and Welfare's Background Check Unit. A clearance from within the last 3 years can transfer to a new employer.

   Official government source

   Fees vary; confirm current per-person cost with IdahoSTARS (800-926-2588) or the DHW Background Check Unit·1–4 weeks

   Fees vary; confirm current per-person cost with IdahoSTARS (800-926-2588) or the DHW Background Check Unit

   1–4 weeks

1. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Child Care Facility License

   Child care centers in Idaho are licensed by the Department of Health and Welfare. IdahoSTARS collects the paperwork and walks applicants through the process; the local public health district collects the licensing fee and does the health and safety inspection. A licence is required if you care for seven or more children and are paid for at least one of them. Expect criminal-history background checks for everyone with unsupervised child contact, a fire inspection, CPR and first-aid certification, staff ratio compliance, and four hours of ongoing training per staff member per year. Check with your city or county planning and zoning office first — local ordinances can block a site before state licensing even starts.

   Official government source

   $325 for a large center (26 or more children at any time), $250 for a small center (13–25), $100 for a group facility (7–12), $100 for all other daycare facilities. Paid to your local public health district.·6–12 weeks, driven by background-check turnaround and the inspection schedule.

   $325 for a large center (26 or more children at any time), $250 for a small center (13–25), $100 for a group facility (7–12), $100 for all other daycare facilities. Paid to your local public health district.

   6–12 weeks, driven by background-check turnaround and the inspection schedule.

2. No Nampa General Business License

   Nampa does not issue a general business license. The City Clerk licenses only specific regulated categories: alcohol and alcohol catering, amusement operators, animal/dog licences, concessions, massage establishments, motor escort services, pawnbrokers, peddlers and solicitors, private security/private investigators/alarm installers, special events, tree removal and pruning, and used precious-metal and jewelry dealers. Businesses outside those categories — contractors, salons, tutoring, real estate, insurance, notaries, pet services, auto repair, photography, cleaning, and the like — need no city business license. Zoning approval, a Certificate of Occupancy, and an In-Home Business registration for home-based operations may still apply.

   Official government source

   $0 — no general business license exists. Category-specific fees apply only to the licences listed above.·N/A for most businesses — nothing to apply for

   $0 — no general business license exists. Category-specific fees apply only to the licences listed above.

   N/A for most businesses — nothing to apply for

3. Nampa Building Safety & Code + Nampa Fire Protection District — Facility Inspections

   Child care centers must pass building inspections for safety, ADA accessibility, and child-proofing standards from the City of Nampa Building Safety & Code Division, and a separate fire suppression/life-safety inspection from the Nampa Fire Protection District (a distinct special district). Fees are valuation-based per the city's permit fee schedule rather than a flat inspection charge; confirm current costs with each agency.

   Official government source

   Varies (valuation-based building permit fee); confirm with Nampa Building Safety & Code and Nampa Fire Protection District·2–6 weeks

   Varies (valuation-based building permit fee); confirm with Nampa Building Safety & Code and Nampa Fire Protection District

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Child Care Facility License
• City of Nampa City Clerk

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