How to Start a Daycare in Utah (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Opening a daycare in Utah requires a license from the Utah Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC) within the Department of Health and Human Services. Utah offers several license types to match your setting – from small home-based family child care to large licensed centers – with regulatory requirements scaled to capacity. Utah’s growing population and high birth rate make child care one of the most in-demand services in the state. As of January 2026, DLBC has transitioned to free quarterly online training modules, making annual training requirements easier to fulfill. Staff ratios, background checks, and facility requirements are non-negotiable – plan at least 90-120 days for the licensing process.

Daycare Requirements in Utah at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC formation	Utah Division of Corporations	$59	Instant online
Child Care License	Utah DLBC (Dept. of Health and Human Services)	~$62/year (verify with DLBC)	90-120 days
Background checks (all adults)	Utah BCI / FBI	Varies per person	2-4 weeks each
Live Scan fingerprinting	MASOB / BCI	$15 per person	Days
First Aid/CPR certification	AHA / Red Cross	$50-$100 per person	1 day course
Annual training (center staff)	DLBC online modules (free as of 2026)	Free	20 hrs/year
Local business license	City or county clerk	$50-$200/year	1-2 weeks
Workers’ comp insurance	Private insurer	Varies	Required from 1st employee

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

Step 1: Choose Your License Type

Utah’s Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC) offers several child care license types:

License Type	Setting	Capacity	Notes
Licensed Child Care Center	Commercial	Determined by space/ratios	Full center operation, birth-12
Licensed Family Child Care	Residential	Up to 16 children	Home-based, birth-12
Residential Certificate Child Care	Residential	Up to 8 children	Smaller home-based operation
Licensed Commercial Preschool	Commercial	Determined by space/ratios	Ages 2-5 only, max 4 hrs/day
Licensed Hourly Child Care Center	Commercial	Determined by space/ratios	Drop-in care, birth-12
Family, Friend & Neighbor (FFN) Approval	Residential	Limited	Relatives or close friends caring for children

Contact DLBC directly at (801) 538-4242 or visit dlbc.utah.gov to determine which license type fits your situation.

Step 2: Form Your Business Entity

For a commercial child care center, form an LLC or corporation with the Utah Division of Corporations at businessregistration.utah.gov for $59. This protects your personal assets and is required before DLBC will issue a license to a commercial entity.

Step 3: Complete Background Checks for All Adults

Utah requires comprehensive background screening for all owners, directors, staff, volunteers, and household residents age 12 and older. Backgrounds are checked through 9 data sources including:

Utah criminal history registry
FBI national criminal database
Utah Sex Offender Registry
National Sex Offender Public Website
Utah child abuse and neglect registry
Utah Violent Offender and Sex Offender Registry
Additional registries as required by DLBC

Live Scan fingerprinting through MASOB costs $15 per person. Begin background checks early – the process can take 2-4 weeks per person, and you cannot open until all required adults clear their checks.

Step 4: Meet Training Requirements

Utah requires mandatory training before and during operation:

Licensed Child Care Center staff: 20 hours of annual training
Licensed Family Child Care providers: 10 hours of annual training
Required topics include: prevention of shaken baby syndrome, SIDS/safe sleep practices, child abuse and neglect recognition and reporting, and program-specific regulations
First Aid/CPR certification must be held by at least one staff member at all times during operating hours

2026 Update: As of January 2026, DLBC offers free quarterly online interactive training courses (available January, April, July, October). This makes fulfilling the annual training requirement significantly easier and less expensive than in prior years.

Step 5: Prepare Your Facility

Your facility must meet Utah’s physical requirements before DLBC will schedule a licensing inspection. Key requirements include:

Adequate square footage per child (varies by age group and license type)
Safe, accessible exits meeting fire code requirements
Age-appropriate equipment and furnishings
Outdoor play space meeting safety standards (for center licenses)
Safe storage for medications, cleaning supplies, and hazardous materials
Functioning smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers

Contact your local fire marshal and city building department to confirm zoning and building code compliance before signing a lease.

Step 6: Staff-to-Child Ratios

Utah’s required staff-to-child ratios for Licensed Child Care Centers (per R381-100):

Age Group	Staff-to-Child Ratio	Maximum Group Size
0-11 months (infants)	1:4	8 children
12-17 months (young toddlers)	1:4	8 children
18 months-2 years (toddlers)	1:7	14 children
3 years	1:12	24 children
4 years	1:15	30 children
5 years and older	1:20	40 children

Step 7: Apply for Your DLBC License

Submit your completed application through dlbc.utah.gov or contact DLBC at (801) 538-4242. Include your facility plan, staff roster with background check documentation, training records, and First Aid/CPR certifications. DLBC will conduct an on-site inspection before issuing your license. Contact DLBC directly for current application fees, as the fee schedule may be updated.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Utah

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation	$59	One-time, online
LLC annual renewal	$18/year
DLBC license (annual)	~$62/year	Verify with DLBC at (801) 538-4242
Background checks	$15+ per person (fingerprinting)	All adults on premises
First Aid/CPR training	$50-$100 per person	Renew every 2 years
Annual training	Free (DLBC online) or $50-$200	20 hrs/year for center staff
Local business license	$50-$200/year
Facility buildout or modifications	$5,000-$50,000+	Depends on existing condition
Child care equipment and furnishings	$5,000-$30,000	Cribs, mats, toys, tables
General liability insurance	$1,500-$5,000/year	Child care-specific coverage
Workers’ comp insurance	Varies by payroll	Required from 1st employee

Estimated total startup cost: $15,000-$100,000+ (varies significantly by center size and existing facility condition)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to run a daycare in Utah?

Yes. Any child care operation serving children other than your own requires a license from the Utah Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC). Different license types apply based on setting (home vs. commercial) and capacity. Contact DLBC at (801) 538-4242 to determine which license applies to your situation.

How long does the daycare licensing process take in Utah?

Plan for 90-120 days from application to license. Background checks alone can take 2-4 weeks per person, and DLBC must complete an on-site inspection before issuing a license. Starting the background check process early is the most important step to avoid delays.

What are the staff-to-child ratios for Utah daycares?

For Licensed Child Care Centers: infants (0-17 months) require a 1:4 ratio; toddlers (18 months-2 years) require 1:7; 3-year-olds require 1:12; 4-year-olds require 1:15; children 5 and older require 1:20. Maximum group sizes also apply.

Are training requirements free in Utah in 2026?

As of January 2026, DLBC offers free quarterly online interactive training courses (January, April, July, October). Child care center staff must complete 20 hours of annual training; family child care providers must complete 10 hours. This makes meeting training requirements significantly more affordable than in prior years.

What background checks are required for Utah daycare workers?

All owners, staff, volunteers, and household residents age 12 and older must pass comprehensive background screening through 9 data sources including Utah and FBI criminal history, the sex offender registry, the child abuse and neglect registry, and the violent offender registry. Live Scan fingerprinting costs $15 per person.

How many children can a home daycare in Utah care for?

A Licensed Family Child Care home can serve up to 16 children. A Residential Certificate Child Care can serve up to 8 children. Both require background checks for all adults in the home and compliance with DLBC licensing standards.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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