How to Start a Daycare in Alaska (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a licensed child care facility in Alaska requires approval from the Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (CCPO). All programs serving children are regulated under Alaska Administrative Code Title 7, Chapter 57 (7 AAC 57). Alaska licenses two main types of child care: child care homes (serving up to 8 children including the provider’s own children under 12) and child care centers (serving 9 or more children). Both types require comprehensive background checks for all providers and household members, staff training, and facility inspections before licensing. Alaska has no individual income tax, which means your child care income as a pass-through business owner is not subject to state personal income tax – a meaningful financial advantage for small operators.

Alaska Daycare Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Alaska Business License	DCBPL	$50/year or $100/2 years	Before opening
LLC formation (Articles of Organization)	DCBPL Corporations Section	$250	Before applying for child care license
Child Care License Application	Alaska Dept. of Health, CCPO	Contact CCPO for current fee	60-90+ days for full approval
Background Check – Alaska Background Check Program	Alaska Dept. of Health	Contact CCPO for current fee	Allow 2-4 weeks
Pediatric First Aid and CPR	Approved training provider	$50-$100 per person	Before licensing; renew per certification requirements
Fire safety inspection	State Fire Marshal / local fire authority	Varies by jurisdiction	Before licensing
Health/sanitation inspection	CCPO or local environmental health	Included in licensing process	Before licensing
Workers’ compensation (if employees)	Licensed Alaska insurer	Varies by payroll	Before first employee’s first day

How to Start a Daycare in Alaska (Step by Step)

Step 1: Contact the Alaska Child Care Program Office First

Before spending time and money on facility preparation, contact the Alaska Child Care Program Office (CCPO) to discuss the specific licensing requirements for your situation. CCPO staff can walk you through the application process, facility requirements, and timeline.

• Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (CCPO)
• Phone: (907) 269-4500
• Website: health.alaska.gov/en/education/child-care
• Mailing address: 3601 C Street, Suite 902, Anchorage, AK 99503
• Regulatory reference: 7 AAC 57 (Alaska Administrative Code, Title 7, Chapter 57)

CCPO can confirm current licensing fees, walk you through the application checklist, and advise you on capacity limits for your specific facility.

Step 2: Choose Your License Type

Alaska licenses two main categories of child care under 7 AAC 57:

• Child Care Home: A private residence where the primary caregiver (and their family) lives, serving up to 8 children simultaneously (including the provider’s own children under 12). A family child care home may have one paid assistant. This is the most common license type for home-based providers.
• Child Care Center: A non-residential facility serving 9 or more children simultaneously. Centers require a director, multiple staff members, and typically operate in a commercial or institutional space. Subject to stricter facility, staffing, and operational requirements than homes.

If you plan to care for 9 or more children, or operate from a non-residential location, you need a Child Care Center license. Contact CCPO to clarify which license type applies to your plan.

Step 3: Complete Background Checks

Alaska requires comprehensive background checks for child safety. This is one of the first steps in the licensing process because background check processing time (2-4 weeks) is often the longest part of the application timeline.

• Who must be cleared:
  • All child care providers and employees
  • All household members age 12 and older who live in a family child care home
  • Any person who regularly volunteers at the facility
• Alaska Background Check Program: Managed through the Alaska Department of Health. Checks include state criminal history, sex offender registry, and child abuse/neglect registry (CANTS).
• FBI fingerprint check: Federal criminal history check also required for many individuals.
• Contact: dhss.alaska.gov/OBC or contact CCPO for current instructions on initiating background checks.
• Disqualifying offenses: Certain criminal convictions or substantiated child abuse/neglect findings are absolute bars to licensure. CCPO can advise on specific disqualifying factors.

Step 4: Prepare Your Facility

Your facility must meet the physical standards in 7 AAC 57 before CCPO will issue a license. Key requirements include:

• Indoor space: Minimum 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child in care (the actual requirement may vary – confirm with CCPO).
• Outdoor play space: Outdoor play area required for most license types. Must be safely enclosed and age-appropriate for the children served.
• Sanitation: Handwashing sinks, proper diaper changing stations (if serving infants/toddlers), and approved food handling facilities.
• Safe sleep for infants: All sleeping arrangements for infants must meet current safe sleep standards (firm, flat surface; individual crib or sleep space; no soft bedding).
• Fire safety: Your facility must pass a fire safety inspection by the State Fire Marshal or local fire authority. Install required smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and post evacuation plans.
• Building permits: If operating from a residential property as a group home or center, check local zoning and building codes for any required permits or variances.

Step 5: Complete Staff Training Requirements

All child care providers and staff in Alaska must meet training standards before and during operation:

• Pediatric First Aid and CPR: At least one provider/staff member with current pediatric first aid and CPR certification must be on the premises at all times children are present. Certification must be from an approved training provider.
• Ongoing professional development: Alaska requires child care providers to complete ongoing annual training hours to maintain licensure. Contact CCPO at (907) 269-4500 for the current annual training hour requirements.
• Director qualifications (centers): Child Care Center directors must meet specific education and experience requirements. Consult 7 AAC 57 and CCPO for the director qualification standards applicable to your center size and age groups served.

Step 6: Apply for Your Child Care License

Submit your license application to CCPO with all required supporting documentation. The licensing process typically takes 60-90 days or longer from the date of complete application submission.

• Application packet: Contact CCPO at (907) 269-4500 to request the current application packet. Application requirements include completed forms, background check clearances, proof of training, facility layout, and policies/procedures documentation.
• Licensing fee: Contact CCPO for current licensing fees. Fees vary by license type and capacity.
• CCPO inspection: A CCPO licensor will conduct a facility inspection before the license is issued. The inspection verifies that your facility meets all 7 AAC 57 requirements.
• License capacity: Your license will specify the maximum number of children you are authorized to serve simultaneously.
• Do not open before licensed: Operating without a required license is illegal and subject to enforcement action.

Step 7: Form Your Business Entity and Register for Taxes

• Alaska Business License: Required before operating. Apply at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/BusinessLicensing. Fee: $50/year.
• LLC formation: File Articles of Organization with DCBPL ($250) to protect personal assets. File free initial report within 6 months. Biennial report: $100 every 2 years.
• Workers’ compensation: Required as soon as you hire any employee. Purchase from a licensed Alaska insurer before the first employee’s first day. Contact: Alaska Division of Workers’ Compensation, (907) 465-2790.
• UI registration: Register with Alaska DOLWD Employment Security Tax before first payroll. labor.alaska.gov/estax.
• Alaska tax advantages: No state individual income tax; no state sales tax. Child care center revenues are not subject to state sales or income tax (as pass-through entity).

Cost to Start a Daycare in Alaska

Item	Cost	Notes
Alaska Business License	$50/year	Mandatory for all Alaska businesses
LLC formation	$250	One-time; Articles of Organization
Child care license application fee	Contact CCPO	(907) 269-4500
Background check fees (per person)	Contact CCPO	Required for all providers, staff, household members
Pediatric First Aid and CPR (per person)	$50-$100/person	Requires renewal per certification schedule
Fire safety inspection	Varies	Conducted by State Fire Marshal or local authority
Workers’ comp (if employees)	Varies by payroll	Required for any employee
Estimated base cost (home provider, no employees)	$400-$600+	Before facility upgrades and equipment

Related Alaska Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Alaska
• How to Start a Food Truck in Alaska
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Alaska
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Alaska
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in Alaska
• How to Become a Private Investigator in Alaska

← Back to all Alaska business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Who licenses daycares in Alaska?

The Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) licenses all child care homes and child care centers in Alaska under Alaska Administrative Code Title 7, Chapter 57. Contact CCPO at (907) 269-4500 or visit health.alaska.gov/en/education/child-care to start the licensing process.

What is the difference between a child care home and a child care center in Alaska?

A child care home is a private residence where the caregiver lives and serves up to 8 children simultaneously, including the provider’s own children under 12. A child care center is a non-residential facility serving 9 or more children. Centers require a qualified director, multiple staff members, and have additional facility and operational requirements. The licensing application, requirements, and fee structure differ for each type. Contact CCPO to confirm which type applies to your situation.

What background checks are required to open a daycare in Alaska?

Alaska requires background checks through the Alaska Background Check Program for all child care providers, employees, volunteers, and in family child care homes, all household members age 12 and older. Checks include state criminal history, sex offender registry, and child abuse/neglect records. An FBI fingerprint-based federal background check is also required for many individuals. Background checks are processed through the Alaska Department of Health. Contact CCPO at (907) 269-4500 for current instructions.

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

The complete licensing process typically takes 60-90 days or longer from the submission of a complete application. Background check processing and facility inspection scheduling can add significant time. Contact the Child Care Program Office at (907) 269-4500 well in advance of your planned opening date – at least 3-4 months ahead is recommended.