Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Greenville, SC

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. South Carolina Department of Revenue — Retail License

   Every person who engages in business in South Carolina as a retailer must obtain a Retail License from the SC Department of Revenue before making any retail sales subject to sales and use tax, including internet sales and infrequent sales. A separate licence is required for each retail outlet. The licence does not have to be renewed while the same taxpayer keeps operating at the same location, but a new application is required after a change of ownership or after 24 months with no sales.

   Official government source

   $50 per location, non-refundable, and it is a one-time fee rather than an annual charge (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)). The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%; SCDOR states counties may impose an additional 1% local sales tax where voters approve it, and the applicable local rates are published in forms ST-500 and ST-575.·Not published by SCDOR. Applying through MyDORWAY is the fastest route — confirm current issuance time when you apply.

   $50 per location, non-refundable, and it is a one-time fee rather than an annual charge (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)). The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%; SCDOR states counties may impose an additional 1% local sales tax where voters approve it, and the applicable local rates are published in forms ST-500 and ST-575.

   Not published by SCDOR. Applying through MyDORWAY is the fastest route — confirm current issuance time when you apply.

2. South Carolina Child Care Background Check Requirement

   Staff and caregivers in South Carolina child care facilities (including household members of family child care homes) must clear state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks, a SC Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, and national and state sex offender registry checks, administered through SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education.

   Official government source

   Fee amounts are not published on the SC DSS or SC Child Care licensing pages; fingerprinting vendor charges apply — confirm current amounts with SC DSS·Not published on the official licensing pages; confirm current processing time with SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education

   Fee amounts are not published on the SC DSS or SC Child Care licensing pages; fingerprinting vendor charges apply — confirm current amounts with SC DSS

   Not published on the official licensing pages; confirm current processing time with SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education

1. South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Care Center License

   Child care centers in South Carolina must be licensed by the SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education under S.C. Code Title 63, Chapter 13. Licensure requires SLED fingerprint-based and other background checks on caregivers, health and fire safety inspections requested by the department, and health-and-safety training — a caregiver must complete 15 hours of health and safety provider training within 30 days of being employed. A regular license is issued for three years.

   Official government source

   No license or renewal fee is established in S.C. Code Title 63, Chapter 13, and none is published on the DSS child care page. Confirm any current administrative charge with the Division of Early Care and Education.·Not published. Processing depends on completion of background checks and on the health and fire safety inspections, which are performed by other agencies at DSS's request.

   No license or renewal fee is established in S.C. Code Title 63, Chapter 13, and none is published on the DSS child care page. Confirm any current administrative charge with the Division of Early Care and Education.

   Not published. Processing depends on completion of background checks and on the health and fire safety inspections, which are performed by other agencies at DSS's request.

2. City of Greenville Business License

   All businesses conducting business within the City of Greenville must hold a business license, issued by the city's Business License & Revenue Center (Finance Department). The license is renewed annually and must be displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   Calculated from gross receipts (projected for a new business) using the city's NAICS rate-class schedule — see the Business License Calculators on the city site. There is no flat annual amount.·Not published by the city. Apply to the Business License & Revenue Center before beginning business and confirm current processing time with that office.

   Calculated from gross receipts (projected for a new business) using the city's NAICS rate-class schedule — see the Business License Calculators on the city site. There is no flat annual amount.

   Not published by the city. Apply to the Business License & Revenue Center before beginning business and confirm current processing time with that office.

3. City of Greenville — Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centers must pass building inspections for life-safety egress, accessibility, fire suppression, and child-safety standards. Inside city limits these are conducted by the City of Greenville Building & Permit Center and the city's fire prevention/fire marshal staff; Greenville County covers unincorporated areas. SC DSS separately requires architectural plans to be submitted to the State Chief Fire Marshal as part of child care licensing.

   Official government source

   Permit and inspection fees follow the city's adopted fee schedule and vary with project scope; no flat inspection fee is published·Not published by the city — confirm current review/inspection turnaround with the Building & Permit Center

   Permit and inspection fees follow the city's adopted fee schedule and vary with project scope; no flat inspection fee is published

   Not published by the city — confirm current review/inspection turnaround with the Building & Permit Center

Official Sources

• South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Care Center License
• City of Greenville Business License Division

Related Guides