Minnesota daycare licensing lookup: how to search and verify

Last updated 2026-07-09

Where is the official Minnesota daycare license lookup tool?

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) hosts the Child Care Provider Search at mn.gov/dhs. You reach it through the DHS licensing pages by selecting "Child Care" from the program list, or through the Provider Directory in the MN Licensing Information System (MALIS). The database is public and free. No account needed.

The search lets you filter by provider name, city, county, zip code, license type, and license status. Results show the provider's legal name, physical address, licensed capacity, the type of license held, and the current license status (Active, Inactive, Suspended, Revoked, or Denied). ^[1]

Prefer the phone? The DHS Licensing Division verifies a provider's status at 651-431-6500 during business hours. Centers are licensed directly by DHS. County licensing agencies handle family child care homes in most Minnesota counties, and their data feeds into the same statewide system, so one search covers both. ^[2]

What license types show up in the Minnesota provider search?

Minnesota licenses two main categories of child care providers under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245A and Minnesota Rules 9502 and 9503. ^[3]

Family Child Care (FCC): A licensed family child care home is run by one or two adults out of a residence. The basic license allows care for up to 14 children when a secondary caregiver is present, with no more than 8 children under age 5 (further limited to no more than 4 infants and toddlers under 24 months). A family child care license is issued by the county or the DHS tribal office, not directly by DHS for most providers. ^[4]

Child Care Center: Centers are licensed directly by DHS, not the county. A center license covers any program serving multiple unrelated children in a non-residential setting. Group size and ratio rules are set by Minn. R. 9503.

The lookup database also shows:

• License number
• License effective date and expiration date
• Capacity by age group
• Any corrective orders, conditional licenses, or suspension/revocation actions

One thing providers often miss: a "License in Process" status means the provider has applied but is not yet approved to care for children. That is not a green light. Wait for "Active" status before enrolling.

License Status	What It Means
Active	Provider is currently licensed and may operate
Conditional	Licensed but with active corrective requirements
Probationary	Under closer DHS monitoring; still operating
Suspended	Temporarily not allowed to care for children
Revoked	License canceled; provider may not operate
Denied	Application was rejected
License in Process	Application received; not yet approved

How do you search by provider name or address?

Go to the DHS Child Care Provider Search page. Type the provider's name in the search box. Partial matches work, so "ABC" returns every licensed provider with those letters in the name. If you only have an address, search by city or zip code and scroll through results.

A few practical tips from working with this database regularly. Family child care homes are often licensed under the owner's personal name, not a business name. If you search for "Little Stars Home Daycare" and nothing comes up, try the owner's last name. City boundaries in the database match the licensed address, not necessarily the city shown on Google Maps, so try a neighboring city if your first search returns nothing. And filter by "Active" status before you scroll, or you will spend ten minutes reading closed listings.

A provider who does not appear at all is a red flag. Under Minn. Stat. § 245A.02, caring for one or more unrelated children for pay on a regular basis requires a license in Minnesota. Watching a neighbor's child once a week as a favor is generally excluded. Ongoing paid care is regulated. ^[3]

Center directors verifying their own listing use MALIS. Log in through the DHS licensing portal with your credentials. Families only need the public search; MALIS is for providers.

What does the inspection history section tell you?

The public lookup shows licensing actions, which include corrective orders, conditional licenses, and suspension or revocation records. Full inspection reports are not always visible in the search results. To get the complete inspection file for a provider, submit a data request to DHS or to the county licensing office that oversees that provider. ^[2]

What you can see in the public record: any formal licensing action taken in the past, and whether the provider currently holds a conditional license. A conditional license means the provider is still operating but has outstanding compliance issues DHS has formally documented. That is not automatically disqualifying, depending on the issue, but it earns a follow-up call to the county licensor.

DHS runs a complaint-driven inspection system alongside routine renewals. Families can file a complaint about a licensed provider at any time by calling the licensing division. Complaints become part of the licensing record. ^[1]

Child care centers in Minnesota are inspected at least once per year during their renewal cycle, plus any unannounced visits triggered by complaints. Family child care homes are licensed for one to two years depending on their history, and counties set their own inspection frequency within state minimums.

Here is the honest limitation: the database records formal actions, not every minor correction noted during a visit. A provider can look clean in the public search while still carrying routine compliance notes in the file. The file is the full picture. The database is the summary.

How do Minnesota's child-to-staff ratios affect what you see in the lookup?

Ratios and group sizes are set by license type, and the lookup confirms which type a provider holds. That tells you what rules apply. Here is the framework under Minn. R. 9502 and 9503. ^[4]

Family Child Care:

• Infants and toddlers (under 24 months): no more than 4 in care at once, and the provider counts as the caregiver
• Mixed-age group: up to 8 children when a helper is present, with specific age limits within that group
• Maximum with secondary caregiver: 14 children, with no more than 8 under age 5

Child Care Centers (Minn. R. 9503):

Age Group	Max Children Per Staff Member
Infants (under 16 months)	4:1
Toddlers (16-33 months)	7:1
Older toddlers (33-48 months)	7:1
Preschool (48 months to K)	10:1
School-age	15:1

The licensed capacity shown in the lookup is the maximum number of children the provider is approved for across all age groups combined. A center licensed for 60 cannot enroll 60 infants. Each age group is still capped by ratio. The capacity figure is a ceiling, not a ratio guide.

Providers whose capacity feels too low for their space usually fix it with a site review by the licensor. Licensed capacity comes from both ratio rules and square footage requirements (35 square feet of usable indoor space per child for centers under Minn. R. 9503). ^[4]

How does Minnesota's system compare to Michigan's daycare licensing lookup?

Both states run public licensing databases, but they work differently enough to confuse providers and families who have moved between them.

Michigan's Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing (BCAL) runs its lookup through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Michigan splits its search into "Group Child Care Home," "Family Child Care Home," and "Child Care Center," much like Minnesota. The difference: Michigan's portal usually posts inspection reports directly in the search results, not only licensing actions. That is a real transparency gap between the two states. ^[5]

For a full breakdown of Michigan requirements, see our guide on michigan daycare licensing.

Minnesota's database shows status and formal actions but routes you to a data request for full inspection notes. Neither system wins on every measure. They reflect different state choices about public data.

A few more quick comparisons:

Feature	Minnesota	Michigan
Lookup tool operator	DHS	LARA / BCAL
Who licenses FCC homes	County agencies	LARA directly
Inspection reports in public search	No (data request required)	Yes (often posted)
License renewal cycle (FCC)	1-2 years	1 year
Ratio for infant centers	4:1	4:1

The 4:1 infant ratio is the same in both states, which matches the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) quality standards framework both states operate under. ^[6]

What are the costs and timeline for getting a Minnesota daycare license?

Minnesota does not charge a license application fee for family child care homes under the current DHS fee schedule, which makes it one of the cheaper states to enter at the family child care level. Center licensing does carry fees based on capacity. The DHS fee schedule sets center fees at $75 to $400 depending on licensed capacity. ^[2]

Timeline is a different story. DHS licensing staff are stretched, and the honest answer is that timelines vary. Here is the rough sequence for a family child care applicant:

1. Submit application to your county licensing office (forms available at mn.gov/dhs) 2. County schedules a home inspection, usually within 30 to 60 days of a complete application 3. Criminal background studies are processed through DHS for all adults in the home, which takes 4 to 8 weeks 4. First aid and CPR training must be completed before the license is issued 5. County recommends approval; DHS issues the license

Total timeline from complete application to issued license: commonly 60 to 120 days, though background study backlogs have pushed some applicants past 150 days. Waiting on one? The DHS Background Studies division at 651-431-6600 can give you a status update.

Center licensing follows a similar path but adds a fire marshal inspection and a health inspection, which adds coordination time. Plan for 90 to 180 days on a center application, and start the background study process for every staff member on day one.

For context, Child Care Aware of America's most recent state fact sheet shows Minnesota had roughly 6,700 licensed child care providers in 2022, with many counties experiencing supply shortages. Getting licensed quickly matters for the communities that need you. ^[7]

If you are building out your compliance tracking, a tool like ChildCareComp can monitor renewal deadlines, staff training records, and inspection prep in one place.

What training and background requirements does Minnesota require before a license is issued?

The background study is the non-negotiable first step. Every person 13 and older who lives in a family child care home, and every staff member at a center, must have a cleared background study through the DHS NETStudy 2.0 system before working with children. ^[1] A background study checks state criminal history, child abuse and neglect records, and sex offender registries. Out-of-state checks are included for anyone who has lived in another state within the past five years.

Some providers try to start enrolling children while background studies are pending. That is a licensing violation and a liability risk. Do not do it.

For training, Minnesota requires family child care providers to complete:

• 16 hours of orientation training before licensure (covers safe sleep, nutrition, child development, first aid/CPR)
• First aid and pediatric CPR certification, current at all times
• Ongoing annual training after licensure (the hour requirement varies; check the current county agreement)

Center staff requirements are set by role. A center director must have a bachelor's or associate's degree in early childhood education or a related field, or equivalent experience. Lead teachers need at minimum a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent coursework. If you are pursuing a CDA, see our article on the cda credential for a step-by-step breakdown.

One useful note: providers who want to accept subsidies through the state's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) must be licensed. Getting licensed and getting on the subsidy-accepted list are separate steps, but licensing comes first. Families using CCAP can learn more about childcare subsidy programs that apply in Minnesota.

Can a license be denied, suspended, or revoked, and how do you find that in the lookup?

Yes, and the public database records it. Under Minn. Stat. § 245A.07, DHS or a county agency can impose a range of licensing actions: correction orders (fix this by this date), conditional licenses (you can operate but under specific conditions), immediate suspension (for imminent risk to children), and revocation (license canceled, cannot reapply for a set period). ^[3]

A revocation in Minnesota typically carries a one-year bar on reapplication, though serious violations can result in permanent disqualification.

In the public search, these statuses appear as:

• "Conditional" next to an Active license
• "Suspended" as the primary status
• "Revoked" as the primary status
• "Denied" for an application that was rejected

Checking a provider and see a Conditional or Suspended status? Call the county licensing office directly and ask what the condition or suspension relates to. They can tell you whether it involves child safety or something more administrative.

Providers on the receiving end of a licensing action have appeal rights. A correction order gives you a specific timeframe and steps to fix the issue. A conditional license can be appealed through the Office of Administrative Hearings. A revocation triggers the right to a contested case hearing. Get a licensing attorney involved if you reach the contested case stage. The procedures matter and mistakes are hard to undo. ^[9]

How does CCDF funding affect Minnesota child care licensing requirements?

Minnesota receives federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) money that flows through its Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). To receive CCAP payments, a provider must be licensed (or legally exempt, though exempt providers face heavy restrictions on which families they can serve). ^[8]

The federal CCDF final rule published in 2024 added stronger health and safety requirements that states must fold into their licensing standards as a condition of federal funds. Minnesota's DHS has been updating its rules in response. The CCDF health and safety baseline includes background checks, first aid and CPR training, health and safety training, and safe sleep training, all of which Minnesota already required. ^[6]

One practical effect: if Minnesota updates its licensing rules to stay in CCDF compliance, providers with existing licenses may get a notice of rule change that requires action by a specific date. Watch your MALIS portal and your county licensor's communications. Ignoring a rule-change notice because you are already licensed is a common compliance mistake.

Families who qualify for CCAP can use the subsidy at any licensed Minnesota provider. The subsidy is income-based and has waiting list periods in some counties. See our guide on childcare subsidy for eligibility thresholds and how the payment system works. Families using the childcare tax credit at the federal level should also confirm their provider's license status, since the IRS requires a provider's EIN or Social Security number and the provider must be legally allowed to operate.

What if a Minnesota daycare is operating without a license?

Report it. DHS takes unlicensed operation seriously under Minn. Stat. § 245A. File a complaint with DHS licensing at 651-431-6500, or with your county social services office. DHS can issue a cease-and-desist order and, in cases involving imminent risk to children, refer the situation to child protective services. ^[3]

Unlicensed providers cannot legally accept CCAP subsidies, cannot show that background studies were completed for household members, and are not subject to any inspection. That last point is the practical risk for families: no record, no oversight, no accountability structure.

A common misconception is that a provider who cares only for children related to them is always license-exempt. That is true for purely familial care. But once a provider accepts any unrelated child for pay on a regular basis, the license requirement applies. "Regular basis" is not precisely defined in statute, but DHS has interpreted it to mean a consistent recurring arrangement, not a one-time babysit.

Another misconception: a business license from the city is not a child care license. Some providers display a city business license as proof of legitimacy. It is not the same thing. Verify through the DHS database.

For a deeper look at how daycare centers are structured and licensed across the full regulatory picture, our guide on Daycare center: what it is, what it costs, how it's licensed walks through the center model in detail.

How do you keep your Minnesota license active after it's issued?

Stay ahead of renewal, keep your training current, and respond to every licensor communication in writing. That is the whole game.

Family child care licenses in Minnesota are issued for one or two years. The renewal application goes back to your county licensing office and requires updated background studies for any new household members, proof of current first aid and CPR, and any required continuing education hours. Start the renewal process at least 90 days before expiration. If your license lapses, you must stop caring for children immediately, and a lapsed license can trigger a re-inspection as if it were a new application.

For centers, DHS sends renewal notices through MALIS. Center directors should confirm that their MALIS contact information is current, because a misdirected renewal notice is not an excuse DHS accepts for a lapsed license.

A few things that trip up long-licensed providers:

• A household member turns 13 and now needs a background study (FCC homes)
• CPR certification expires mid-license period
• A staff member's background study expires (studies renew every two years for CCAP providers)
• A physical change to the home or center space that was not reported to the licensor

Physical changes matter more than providers expect. Adding a room, changing how outdoor space is used, or converting a room to a new age group can change your licensed capacity and requires licensor approval before the change takes effect.

ChildCareComp's compliance tracking tools flag these expiration dates and threshold changes before they turn into violations, which is where most providers get the most out of a dedicated system.

For providers expanding their programs and thinking about curriculum, resources like a well-chosen preschool curriculum or a free preschool curriculum can satisfy the program quality components that Minnesota's quality rating system (Parent Aware) looks for during enhanced reviews.

Frequently asked questions

How do I look up a licensed daycare in Minnesota online?

Go to mn.gov/dhs and use the Child Care Provider Search. You can search by provider name, city, county, zip code, or license number. The search is free and public. Results show license status, capacity, license type, and any formal licensing actions. No account is required.

What information does the Minnesota child care provider search show?

The public search shows the provider's legal name, address, license number, license type (family child care or center), license status (Active, Conditional, Suspended, Revoked, etc.), licensed capacity, and effective and expiration dates. Formal licensing actions like conditional licenses or revocations are also listed. Full inspection reports require a separate data request to DHS or the county.

How long does it take to get a daycare license in Minnesota?

For a family child care home, expect 60 to 120 days from a complete application to an issued license, though DHS background study backlogs have pushed timelines past 150 days at peak periods. Child care center applications typically take 90 to 180 days because they require coordinating fire marshal and health inspections on top of the standard DHS process.

How many children can a licensed family child care home watch in Minnesota?

A basic family child care license allows up to 8 children, with no more than 4 infants and toddlers under 24 months. With a licensed secondary caregiver present, the maximum rises to 14 children total, with no more than 8 under age 5. These limits are set by Minnesota Rules 9502.

What are the staff-to-child ratios at Minnesota child care centers?

Under Minnesota Rules 9503, ratios are: 4:1 for infants under 16 months, 7:1 for toddlers 16 to 33 months, 7:1 for children 33 to 48 months, 10:1 for preschool-age children, and 15:1 for school-age children. These are the maximum ratios; providers may always operate at a lower ratio.

Does Minnesota require background checks for everyone in a family child care home?

Yes. Every person age 13 and older living in a family child care home must complete a DHS background study through the NETStudy 2.0 system before the license is issued. The study checks Minnesota criminal records, child abuse and neglect records, and sex offender registries, plus out-of-state checks for anyone who has lived outside Minnesota in the past five years.

Can a family report an unlicensed daycare provider in Minnesota?

Yes. Call the DHS Licensing Division at 651-431-6500 or your county social services office. DHS can issue a cease-and-desist order against an unlicensed provider. Under Minn. Stat. § 245A, operating a paid child care arrangement with unrelated children without a license is illegal. DHS can also refer the situation to child protective services if children appear at risk.

What does a conditional license mean in the Minnesota daycare lookup?

A conditional license means the provider is still allowed to operate but has active compliance requirements DHS or the county has formally documented. The condition could be a physical safety correction, a staffing requirement, or a training deadline. Contact the county licensing office for the specific details before enrolling a child with a conditionally licensed provider.

Does Minnesota charge a fee to apply for a daycare license?

Family child care applicants generally do not pay an application fee to the county or DHS in Minnesota. Child care center applicants pay a licensing fee set by the DHS fee schedule, ranging from approximately $75 to $400 depending on licensed capacity. Fees can change; confirm current amounts with DHS licensing at 651-431-6500.

How often do licensed Minnesota daycares get inspected?

Child care centers are inspected at least once per year during their license renewal cycle, plus any unannounced visits triggered by complaints. Family child care homes are inspected by the county at each license renewal (every one to two years) and when a complaint is filed. There is no statewide requirement for unannounced routine inspections of family child care homes beyond the renewal visit.

Do Minnesota daycare providers need to be licensed to accept CCAP subsidies?

Yes. To accept Child Care Assistance Program payments in Minnesota, a provider must be licensed. Legally exempt providers (caring only for related children, or licensed-exempt arrangements) face significant restrictions and generally cannot access the full CCAP payment system. Licensing is the practical prerequisite for serving CCAP-eligible families.

How is Minnesota's daycare licensing lookup different from Michigan's?

Michigan's Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing runs its search through LARA and typically posts inspection reports directly in public search results. Minnesota's DHS database shows license status and formal actions but requires a separate data request for full inspection files. Michigan licenses family child care homes directly through the state; Minnesota routes most FCC licensing through county agencies.

What training does Minnesota require before a family child care license is issued?

Before a license is issued, applicants must complete 16 hours of DHS-approved orientation training covering safe sleep, nutrition, child development, and other topics, plus current pediatric first aid and CPR certification. Ongoing annual training hours are required after licensure. Centers have additional education and credential requirements for directors and lead teachers.

What happens if a Minnesota daycare license expires?

If a license lapses, the provider must immediately stop caring for children. Operating with an expired license is the same as operating without a license under Minn. Stat. § 245A. A lapsed license can trigger a re-inspection equivalent to a new application. Start your renewal paperwork at least 90 days before expiration to avoid this situation.

Sources

1. Minnesota Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing: DHS operates the public Child Care Provider Search and the NETStudy 2.0 background study system; complaint process described on agency page
2. Minnesota Department of Human Services, Licensing Division Contact and Fees: DHS Licensing Division phone 651-431-6500; center licensing fees range by capacity under current DHS fee schedule
3. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245A, Human Services Licensing Act: License requirement for child care of unrelated children for pay; licensing actions including suspension and revocation under § 245A.07; appeal rights to Office of Administrative Hearings
4. Minnesota Rules 9502 and 9503, Child Care Licensing Standards: Family child care capacity limits (8 children; 4 infants/toddlers; 14 with secondary caregiver); center ratios by age group; 35 square feet indoor space requirement per child for centers
5. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA): Michigan's Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing runs public child care provider lookup; inspection reports typically posted directly in search results; LARA licenses family child care homes directly statewide
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Child Care and Development Fund: CCDF baseline health and safety requirements include background checks, CPR/first aid, health and safety training; states must maintain these standards to receive federal CCDF funds; licensed providers required to accept CCAP
7. Child Care Aware of America, State Child Care Facts 2022: Minnesota had approximately 6,700 licensed child care providers in 2022; significant county-level supply shortages documented
8. Minnesota Department of Human Services, Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): CCAP is Minnesota's CCDF-funded child care subsidy; providers must be licensed to accept CCAP payments; program has income eligibility thresholds and county waiting lists
9. Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings: Providers may appeal conditional license and revocation decisions through contested case hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings
10. Minnesota Department of Human Services, Background Studies NETStudy 2.0: All household members 13 and older in FCC homes and all center staff must complete DHS background study via NETStudy 2.0 before working with children; studies renewed every two years for CCAP providers