Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Dallas, TX

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account. Child-care subsidy (CCDF) programs are run by state agencies that will ask for a taxpayer ID when you enroll as a provider — an EIN satisfies this and keeps your SSN private.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Texas HHS Registered Child Care Home Permit

   Required to operate a home-based daycare in your primary residence caring for up to six unrelated children age 13 or younger (plus up to six additional school-age children after school hours; never more than 12 children at a time, including the caregiver's own). Issued by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Child Care Regulation (CCR). Requirements include being at least 21 with a high school diploma or equivalent, a pre-application orientation class, background checks (including household members), proof of liability insurance, compliance with the Chapter 747 minimum standards, and an application inspection. Registered homes receive at least one unannounced inspection every one to two years, and an annual fee is due each year on the permit anniversary.

   Official government source

   Application fee plus annual fee set by HHSC rule (26 TAC Ch. 745); commonly cited as $35 application + $1 per child of capacity but amounts could not be re-verified against the current official schedule (needs_review)·8–16 weeks from application to permit issuance

   Application fee plus annual fee set by HHSC rule (26 TAC Ch. 745); commonly cited as $35 application + $1 per child of capacity but amounts could not be re-verified against the current official schedule (needs_review)

   8–16 weeks from application to permit issuance

2. Texas HHS Licensed Child Care Home Permit

   Required to provide care for 7–12 children in your primary residence. Must comply with all minimum standards under Chapter 747 of the Texas Administrative Code. More stringent inspection and compliance requirements apply compared to a registered home.

   Official government source

   $35 application fee + $1 per child of permitted capacity (annual renewal fee applies)·8–16 weeks from application to permit issuance

   $35 application fee + $1 per child of permitted capacity (annual renewal fee applies)

   8–16 weeks from application to permit issuance

3. Background Checks (Texas HHS CCR)

   All household members age 14 and older and any employee with unsupervised access to children must pass a background check through Texas HHS CCR, including the Central Registry for child abuse/neglect, FBI fingerprint check, and sex offender registry search.

   Official government source

   $35-$37 per person fingerprinting (paid at appointment) + $2 CCR fee per check·1–4 weeks

   $35-$37 per person fingerprinting (paid at appointment) + $2 CCR fee per check

   1–4 weeks

4. Training Requirements (Orientation + 30 Clock Hours Annual)

   Texas HHSC minimum standards for child-care homes (26 TAC Chapter 747) require: caregiver orientation within 7 days of employment and before unsupervised access to children; pediatric first aid/CPR for the primary caregiver before the home is registered or licensed; a Licensing pre-application course within one year before applying; and annual training - 30 clock hours per year for the primary caregiver, covering child development, health, safety and nutrition topics.

   Official government source

   $0–$100 depending on provider·Completed before permit issuance

   $0–$100 depending on provider

   Completed before permit issuance

5. Pediatric First Aid and CPR Certification

   All primary caregivers must hold a current pediatric first aid and CPR certification from an approved provider (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, etc.). Must remain current throughout the permit period.

   Official government source

   $50–$100·Same day (courses available locally)

   $50–$100

   Same day (courses available locally)

1. Dallas Home Occupation Rules for Home Day Care (no city permit)

   Dallas does not require a home occupation permit. Home-based day care must comply with the Dallas Development Code's home-occupation/day-home provisions for residential districts, and family child-care homes must be licensed or registered with Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) at the state level. Verify your zoning district's conditions with Dallas Development Services before accepting children into care.

   Official government source

   $0 at the city level (no home-occupation permit exists); state HHSC child-care licensing fees apply separately·1–3 weeks

   $0 at the city level (no home-occupation permit exists); state HHSC child-care licensing fees apply separately

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Texas HHS — Become a Child Care Home Provider
• Texas HHS — Child Care Regulation Minimum Standards
• City of Dallas — Building Inspection Permits
• Texas HHS — CCR Fee Schedule (Section 5200)

Related Guides