# Starting a child care business (childcare.support)

Licensing steps, the orientation, background checks and fingerprints.
Official information for California child care providers. Each item links to the official page; read it before acting.
Web page: https://childcare.support/starting/

## Start here
- Register for an Orientation (California Department of Social Services, Online service): https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Child-Care-Licensing/How-to-Become-Licensed/Register-for-an-Orientation. Register for the licensing orientation for a family child care home or child care center license: online, live virtual or in person.
- Fact Sheet on Child Care Licensing: Record Search and Inspections (California Department of Social Services, PDF): https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCDD/FactSheets/CDSS-Child-Care-Licensing-Fact-Sheet.pdf. A CDSS fact sheet on what licensing checks during inspections and what the public facility search shows.
- Background Check Process (California Department of Social Services, Web page): https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Community-Care/Caregiver-Background-Check/Background-Check-Process. How CDSS background checks work for applicants, licensees, staff and some volunteers, including criminal record exemptions.
- Live Scan Application Process and Associated Fees (California Department of Social Services, Web page): https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Community-Care/Caregiver-Background-Check/LiveScan. How Live Scan electronic fingerprinting works for licensing background checks, how to request it, and the fees.
- TrustLine (California Department of Social Services, Web page): https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Community-Care/Caregiver-Background-Check/Trustline. The TrustLine registry for checking nannies and license-exempt caregivers; the page opens with links to Guardian and to a public Background Check Search.

## Free online courses (CECO)
From California Early Childhood Online, funded by CDSS. A CECO account is needed to take a course.
- Becoming an Early Care and Education Professional (4 modules/6 hours total; in English, Spanish): https://www.caearlychildhoodonline.org/en_modulecatalog.aspx?moduleId=1186. Lessons: Career Pathways in Early Care and Education; How to be a Successful College Student in Early Care and Education; Understanding the Early Childhood Teaching Performance Expectations (ECE-TPEs); Understanding the Early Childhood Education Formative Performance Assessment (ECE-FPA)
- Business Practices in Family Child Care (5 modules/10 hours total; in English, Spanish): https://www.caearlychildhoodonline.org/en_modulecatalog.aspx?moduleId=58. Lessons: Module 1: An Introduction to Best Business Practices in Family Child Care; Module 2: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 1–Program Planning); Module 3: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 2–Liability); Module 4: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 3–Finances and Record Keeping); Module 5: Sustainability in Family Child Care

## Also on this site

### Webinar notes (7)
- Child Care Provider Webinar, 2026 Q2 (CDSS Community Care Licensing, 2026-06-23): https://childcare.support/t/cdss-2026-q2/index.md
- Child Care Provider Webinar, 2026 Q1 (CDSS Community Care Licensing, 2026-03-24): https://childcare.support/t/cdss-2026-q1/index.md
- Child Care Provider Webinar, June 2025 (Q2) (CDSS Community Care Licensing, 2025-06-24): https://childcare.support/t/cdss-2025-q2/index.md
- TSP Exceptions & Waivers (CDSS Community Care Licensing, 2024-04): https://childcare.support/t/cdss-tsp-exceptions-waivers/index.md
- Child Care Provider Webinar, 2023 Q2 (CDSS Community Care Licensing, 2023-06-27): https://childcare.support/t/cdss-2023-q2/index.md
- Ask the Child Care Advocates (CDSS Community Care Licensing, 2023-05-23): https://childcare.support/t/cdss-ask-advocates/index.md
- Child Care Provider Webinar, 2023 Q1 (CDSS Community Care Licensing, 2023-03-28): https://childcare.support/t/cdss-2023-q1/index.md

### Rules, each checked against its official source (16)
- Required orientation before licensing; fees: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/how-to-become-licensed/fcch-online-orientation. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Licenses come from CDSS Community Care Licensing: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/family-child-care-home-application-steps.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Family child care is in provider's home (Health & Safety Code §1596.78): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=1596.78. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Submitting the family child care application: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/family-child-care-home-application-steps.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Small and large home capacity (Health & Safety Code §§1597.44, 1596.78): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Capacity%20Requirements%20FCCHs.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Large license needs one year's experience (Title 22 §102369(b)(5)): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Provider%20Requirements%20FCCH.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Background checks for applicants and household adults (Health & Safety Code §1596.871): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/family-child-care-home-application-steps.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- No exemption for certain crimes (Health & Safety Code §1596.871(f)): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=1596.871. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Transferring a current background clearance: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/family-child-care-home-application-steps.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Pre-licensing visit announced, later visits unannounced (Health & Safety Code §1597.55a): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=1597.55a. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Family child care license fees (Health & Safety Code §1596.803(a)): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=1596.803. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Renters: written owner consent above 6 children (Health & Safety Code §1597.44(d)): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=1597.44. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Renters: 30 days' written notice to landlord (Health & Safety Code §1597.41(d)(1)): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=1597.41. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Lease bans on family child care void (Health & Safety Code §1597.41(a)): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=1597.41. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- 16 hours pediatric health and safety training (Health & Safety Code §1596.866; PIN 26-11-CCP): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Provider%20Requirements%20FCCH.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md
- Pediatric CPR/first aid: 8 hours, every two years (Title 22 §100000.29(a)-(b)): https://emsa.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2017/07/dayregs2.pdf. Full rule: https://childcare.support/rules/index.md

### Notices from CDSS (PINs), newest first (49)
- PIN 26-09-CCLD (2026-05-04): Updated Guardian & Background Check Best Practices: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCLD/SUPERSEDE%20PIN%2026-09-CCLD%20Updated%20Guardian%20%20Background%20Check%20Best%20Practices%20-%20Accessible.pdf
- PIN 26-11-CCLD (2026): Guardian Training Webinar for Licensees and Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCLD/PIN-26-11-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 26-08-CCLD (2026): Live Scan Form Updates (LIC 9163, LIC 9163B, And TLR 9163G): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCLD/PIN-26-08-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 26-06-CCLD (2026): Guardian Training For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCLD/PIN-26-06-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 26-05-CCLD (2026): Clearance and Exemption Transfer Forms Updates: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCLD/PIN%2026-05-CCLD%20-%20Clearance%20and%20Exemption%20Transfer%20Forms%20Updates.pdf
- PIN 26-03-CCLD (2026): Guardian Training Webinar For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCLD/PIN-26-03-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 26-02-CCLD (2026): Employee Transfers (Mass Roster Transfers) Through the Regional Office: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCLD/PIN-26-02-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 26-06-CCP (2026): Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P) School-Age Implementation: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCP/PIN%2026-06-CCP%20EXPANDED%20LEARNING%20OPPORTUNITY%20PROGRAM%20%28ELO-P%29%20SCHOOL-AGE%20IMPLEMENTATION.pdf
- PIN 25-15-CCLD (2025): Guardian Training Webinar For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2025/CCLD/PIN-25-15-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 25-13-CCLD (2025): Guardian Training Webinar for Licensees and Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2025/CCLD/PIN-25-13-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 25-12-CCLD (2025): Background Check Approval and Eligibility: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2025/CCLD/PIN%2025-12-CCLD%20-%20BACKGROUND%20CHECK%20APPROVAL%20AND%20ELIGIBILITY%20-%20Accessible.pdf
- PIN 25-08-CCLD (2025): Guardian Training for Licensees and Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2025/CCLD/PIN%2025-08-CCLD%20Guardian%20Training%20for%20Licensees%20and%20Providers%20Accessible.pdf
- PIN 25-03-CCLD (2025): Guardian Training Webinar for Licensees and Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2025/CCLD/PIN%2025-03-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 24-15-CCLD (2024): Guardian Training Webinar For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCLD/PIN%2024-15-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 24-12-CCLD (2024): Guardian Training Webinar For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCLD/PIN-24-12-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 24-10-CCLD (2024): Care Provider Management Branch Background Check Form Revisions: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCLD/PIN-24-10-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 24-05-CCLD (2024): Guardian Training Webinar For Licenses And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCLD/PIN%2024-05-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 24-04-CCLD (2024): Guardian Training Webinar For Licenses And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCLD/PIN%2024-04-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 24-11-CCP (2024): Guardian Training Webinar For Child Care Program Licensees, Providers, And Trustline Agencies: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCP/PIN-24-11-CCP.pdf
- PIN 24-07-CCP (2024): Guardian Training Webinar For Child Care Program Licensees, Providers, And Trustline Agencies: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCP/PIN-24-07-CCP.pdf
- PIN 24-06-CCP (2024): Announcing The Child Care Program’s Centralized Application Bureau: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCP/PIN-24-06-CCP.pdf
- PIN 24-04-CCP (2024): In-Person and Live Virtual Orientations for Family Child Care Homes: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2024/CCP/PIN-24-04-CCP.pdf
- PIN 23-19-CCLD (2023): Phase One (1) Launch Of The Administrator Certification Online Application Portal And Upcoming Webinar: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2023/CCLD/PIN-23-19-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 23-18-CCLD (2023): Maintenance To Guardian System: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2023/CCLD/PIN-23-18-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 23-16-CCLD (2023): Guardian Training Webinar For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2023/CCLD/PIN-23-16-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 23-08-CCLD (2023): Criminal Background Clearance Transfer Request (LIC 9182) And Criminal Record Exemption Transfer Request (LIC 9188) Form Updates: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINS/2023/CCLD/PIN-23-08-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 23-07-CCLD (2023): Guardian Training Webinar For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINS/2023/CCLD/PIN-23-07-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 23-05-CCLD (2023): Criminal Background Clearance Transfers - Updated Guidance: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINS/2023/CCLD/PIN-23-05-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 23-21-CCP (2023): Landlord Consent: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2023/CCP/PIN%2023-21-CCP%20Landlord%20Consent_3.pdf
- PIN 23-20-CCP (2023): Required Notification Prior for Making Changes to Child Care Facilities: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2023/CCP/PIN%2023-20-CCP.pdf
- PIN 22-14-CCLD (2022): Assembly Bill (AB) 1720 Implementation: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCLD/PIN-22-14-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 22-12-CCLD (2022): Information On The Use Of The Child Abuse Central Index For State Licensed Facilities (LIC 198A Form): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCLD/PIN-22-12-CCLD.pdf?ver=2023-03-02-093030-890
- PIN 22-11-CCLD (2022): Guardian Webinar for Licensees and Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCLD/PIN-22-11-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 22-09-CCLD (2022): Guardian Webinar For Licensees And Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCLD/PIN-22-09-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 22-08-CCLD (2022): Fingerprinting Instructions For Resource Family Approval (RFA) Relatives: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCLD/PIN%2022-08-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 22-07-CCLD (2022): Guardian Webinar for Licensees and Providers: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCLD/PIN%2022-07-CCLD.pdf?ver=2022-09-21-104506-083
- PIN 22-06-CCLD (2022): Guardian Background Check Best Practices: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCLD/PIN-22-06-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 22-05-CCP (2022): Statewide Launch of Child Care Licensing Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) Pre-licensing Tool: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2022/CCP/PIN-22-05-CCP.pdf
- PIN 21-06-CCLD (2021-06-01): New Forms For Complainant Intake And Reporting Notifications: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2021/CCLD/PIN-21-06-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 21-22-CCLD (2021): Care Provider Management Bureau (CPMB) Customer Service Updates And Background Check Information: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2021/CCLD/PIN-21-22-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 21-05-CCLD (2021): New Background Check Website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2021/CCLD/PIN-21-05-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 21-02-CCLD (2021): Updates To The Implementation of Guardian: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2021/CCLD/PIN-21-02-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 21-01-CCLD (2021): Benefits And Impacts Of The Implementation Of Guardian: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2021/CCLD/PIN%2021-01-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 20-22-CCLD (2020): Regulation Update Regarding Simplified Criminal Records Exemptions: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2020/CCLD/PIN-20-22-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 20-20-CCLD (2020): Guardian User Account Access: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2020/CCLD/PIN-20-20-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 20-16-CCLD (2020): Discontinuation of the Child Abuse Central Index for State Licensed Facilities (LIC 198A FORM): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2020/CCLD/PIN-20-16-CCLD.pdf?ver=2023-03-02-095629-430
- PIN 20-03-CCLD (2020): Caregiver Background Check Bureau's New Background Check System: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2020/DIV/PIN-20-03-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 20-02-CCLD (2020): Updated Appraisal/Needs and Services Plan Form (LIC 625): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2020/DIV/PIN-20-02-CCLD.pdf
- PIN 19-13-CCP (2019): Licensure Exemptions for Eligible California State Preschool Programs (CSPPs): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20PINs/PIN%2019-13-CCP%20Preschool%20Exemptions.pdf?ver=2019-09-24-133734-960

## Everything else for this task (2)

### Background checks and hiring (2)
- Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (California Department of Social Services, Web page): https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Community-Care/Caregiver-Background-Check/Adam-Walsh. Background check rules from 2006 and 2007 laws for foster family homes and related homes; the page does not list child care facilities. [About foster care, not child care]
- California Megan's Law Website (California Department of Justice, Online service): https://meganslaw.ca.gov/. The California Department of Justice's Megan's Law website on registered sex offenders; it opens on a disclaimer you must acknowledge first. [CDSS links this over http; we link the secure https address]

Links last checked September 28, 2026. How each one was checked: https://childcare.support/checked/