Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Bismarck, ND

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. North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner — Sales and Use Tax Permit

   Required for any business selling taxable goods or services in North Dakota. The state sales tax rate is 5% for most retail sales, and cities and counties may levy additional local sales and use taxes that vary by location — check the Tax Commissioner’s local tax rate listings for your address. Apply for the permit in ND TAP, the state’s Taxpayer Access Point.

   Official government source

   Free·Apply through ND TAP at least 30 days before you open for business, as the Tax Commissioner advises.

   Free

   Apply through ND TAP at least 30 days before you open for business, as the Tax Commissioner advises.

2. North Dakota Child Care Criminal Background Check

   Every owner, staff member, volunteer, and (for home-based programs) household member age 18 or older in a licensed North Dakota child care program must complete a criminal background check through ND Health and Human Services, including fingerprint-based state and FBI checks. HHS runs the checks and results follow the applicant between approved programs.

   Official government source

   No fingerprinting fee when prints are taken at an ND Health and Human Services location. A fee applies only if you choose to be fingerprinted through another authorized agency, which sets its own charge.·Submit background check paperwork at the same time as the license application; results are part of the licensing decision.

   No fingerprinting fee when prints are taken at an ND Health and Human Services location. A fee applies only if you choose to be fingerprinted through another authorized agency, which sets its own charge.

   Submit background check paperwork at the same time as the license application; results are part of the licensing decision.

1. North Dakota Health and Human Services — Early Childhood Program License

   Child care programs in North Dakota must be licensed by ND Health and Human Services Early Childhood Services. NDCC 50-11.1-03 sets the thresholds: family child care for four or more children age 24 months and under (or six to seven children through age 11), group child care for 8 to 30 children, and a child care center for more than 30 children at one time. Licensure requires state and national background checks, health and fire safety compliance, and staff-to-child ratio compliance.

   Official government source

   Set by NDCC 50-11.1-03: family child care $20/year or $35 for a two-year license; group child care $25/$45; preschool $30/$55; child care center $40/$75; multiple licensed program $50/$95.·6–12 weeks

   Set by NDCC 50-11.1-03: family child care $20/year or $35 for a two-year license; group child care $25/$45; preschool $30/$55; child care center $40/$75; multiple licensed program $50/$95.

   6–12 weeks

2. No General Business License in Bismarck

   The City of Bismarck states plainly that it does not presently have a general business license. Certain occupations do require a license or permit specific to that use — building permits, food service, gaming, liquor sales, excavation and concrete work, taxi operations, and Fire Department permits among them — and the State of North Dakota licenses some occupations separately. Check whether your specific activity is regulated rather than assuming a general license applies. There is no City Clerk business license.

   Official government source

   No fee — Bismarck issues no general business license. Activity-specific permits carry their own fees.·Not applicable

   No fee — Bismarck issues no general business license. Activity-specific permits carry their own fees.

   Not applicable

3. City of Bismarck Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy

   A child care center must occupy a space approved for that use. The City of Bismarck Community Development Department's Building Inspections Division reviews plans and inspects construction, fire safety, exiting and accessibility as part of the building permit and change-of-occupancy process, and issues the Certificate of Occupancy when the work passes. Burleigh County building and zoning applies only outside the city limits. State child care licensing through ND Health and Human Services is a separate requirement.

   Official government source

   Commercial building permit fees are based on project valuation — $40 for work up to $500, $260.95 at $25,000, rising with job cost — plus a plan review fee of 20% of the permit fee.·2–6 weeks

   Commercial building permit fees are based on project valuation — $40 for work up to $500, $260.95 at $25,000, rising with job cost — plus a plan review fee of 20% of the permit fee.

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• North Dakota Department of Human Services — Child Care Facility License
• City of Bismarck City Clerk

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