Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Grand Forks, 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 (the former Department of Human Services was folded into HHS). 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. Grand Forks Business License (only if your business type is on the city's licensed list)

   Grand Forks does NOT have a general business license for most businesses. The city requires a license only for specific categories: alcohol sales, body art/tattoo facilities and artists, food establishments (bakeries, grocery/retail meat, restaurants, mobile food vendors, concession stands), childcare facilities, hotels/motels, taxi/towing operators, retail tobacco dealers, and a few other regulated categories. Building-trade licenses (electrician, plumber, mechanical installer, etc.) are issued separately by the Building Inspections Department. Check the city's license list for your specific business type before assuming a license is required.

   Official government source

   Varies by license category - see the city's fee schedule; most businesses need no city license at all·1–3 weeks (only if your business type requires a license)

   Varies by license category - see the city's fee schedule; most businesses need no city license at all

   1–3 weeks (only if your business type requires a license)

3. City of Grand Forks Childcare Facility License and Building/Fire Inspection

   Child care centers in Grand Forks need a Childcare Facility license from the City of Grand Forks Finance and Administrative Services Department, and must pass building and fire safety inspections handled by the city's Building Inspections Department — Grand Forks County is not an issuer. Inspections cover accessibility, fire suppression, exits, and child-proofing.

   Official government source

   Set by the city's published license and permit fee schedule, which is linked from the city's Doing Business page; apply through the Finance Department (701-746-2620).·2–6 weeks

   Set by the city's published license and permit fee schedule, which is linked from the city's Doing Business page; apply through the Finance Department (701-746-2620).

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• North Dakota Department of Human Services — Child Care Facility License
• City of Grand Forks City Finance Office

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