How to Become a Licensed Child Care Provider

If you are interested in applying to operate a licensed child care agency, please click on the links below to review the different types of licensed child care and child care licensure rules.

Types of Licensed Child Care Procedures for Becoming a Licensed Child Care Provider Child Care Rules Child Care Provider Monitoring and Inspections

Have more questions? Contact a child care licensing office near you.

Do You Need a Child Care License?

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is excited to announce changes to the exempt statute for child care, Public Chapter No. 135 effective July 1, 2025. The changes include added categories of care and updates to existing categories that will provide new opportunities of care to children in Tennessee.

New categories of care:

Gym Care that takes place on site at a gym or recreation center where adults can exercise for up to 2 hours per day
Tennessee Professional Sporting Events allow children of players and coaches to be in care during home games
Parent’s night out or “special events” allow an entity or organization to provide care on an occasional or infrequent basis, not to exceed fourteen days per year
YMCA school age programs that are in good standing with the YMCA of the United States are automatically exempt from licensure

Updates to existing categories:

Camp programs have expanded allowing camps during all school breaks that align with the school calendar of the district
Parent’s Day Out allow for 12 hours per week without specified days
Educational and recreational exemptions have added language to clarify the ages of children that can participate
Nursery/ Babysitting has been updated to clarify that it applies to a House of Worship

Please view this full list and criteria for each exemption

The following exempt programs are required to register with Department of Human Services: Educational, Parent’s Day Out, Recreational, Camps, Gym Care, Tennessee Professional Sporting Events, and Casual Care.

The following programs are automatically exempt and are not required to register: Parent’s Night Out or “Special Events,” Boys and Girls Clubs for school age children in good standing with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, YMCA programs for school age children in good standing with YMCA of the United States, and Houses of Worship: Nursery/ Babysitting.

To apply for registration, use the following link: TN Login - e-Licensing

Illegal Child Care Programs and Facilities

If you are providing care and supervision to five (5) or more unrelated children for three (3) or more hours per day without a license and you do not meet the criteria for license-exempt status, then you are operating illegally. Operating a child care agency without the required license is a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense. (T.C.A. 71-3-505)

Illegal operators will be investigated by Child Care Licensing staff via unannounced visit to the facility. The law gives Child Care Licensing the right to inspect all suspected child care agencies, and to petition the local Chancery Court for an order of inspection if they are refused access. (T.C.A. 71-3-508) Information on how to become licensed will be provided to the operator and illegal operations must cease immediately.

If the operation is not in compliance on the unannounced follow-up visit, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) will be requested from the local Chancery Court as well as a permanent injunction and the assessment of costs against the illegal operator. If the injunction is violated, Child Care Licensing will ask the court to find the operator in contempt, with fines and/or jail time imposed as punishment.

If you have knowledge of a potentially illegal operation, please contact the Child Care Hotline at 1-800-462-8261.