← Daycare Licensing Requirements

What Are the Nevada Daycare Licensing Requirements? The Complete File Checklist

A daycare license in Nevada is issued by Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 5 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.

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Verified August 2026Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing

Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.

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Overview

Nevada childcare licensing is administered by the Bureau of Child Care Licensing within the Division of Child and Family Services. Any facility providing care for 7 or more children must be licensed. AB 295 (2025) authorized the first statewide child care workforce development fund, providing stipends and tuition assistance to licensed center employees.

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Age GroupStaff : Children
Infants (under 12 months)1:4
Toddlers (12–24 months)1:4
2 years1:6
Preschool (3–5 years)1:13
School age1:15

Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Nevada DCFS Child Care Licensing

Required Documents Per Child

  • Enrollment Form

    Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.

  • Immunization Records

    Current immunization records per Nevada immunization schedule required on file.

  • Medical/Health Assessment

    Physician-signed health report required within 30 days of enrollment.

  • Emergency Contact Information

    Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.

  • Emergency Medical Authorization

    Parental consent for emergency medical care.

  • Allergy and Dietary Information

    Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.

  • Medication AuthorizationConditional

    Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.

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Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Nevada DCFS Child Care Licensing

Immunization Requirements

DTaPPolio (IPV)MMRHepatitis BVaricellaHibPCV

Exemption Policy

Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services for current exemption procedures.

Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Nevada DCFS Child Care Licensing

Staff Requirements

Minimum Age

18 years

Background Check

State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check and child abuse registry check required for all staff.

Lead Teacher Education

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework required for lead positions.

Assistant Education

High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required.

CPR / First Aid

Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.

Continuing Education

Annual professional development training required. Contact DHHS for current hour requirements.

Director Qualifications

Director qualification requirements set by Nevada Bureau of Child Care Licensing.

Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Nevada DCFS Child Care Licensing

Inspections & Licensing

Inspection Frequency

At least one unannounced inspection annually.

License Renewal

Annual license renewal required.

Application Process

Contact Nevada DCFS Bureau of Child Care Licensing to begin the application process.

Licensing Fee

Varies by capacity. Contact DHHS for current fee schedule.

Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Nevada DCFS Child Care Licensing

Compliance Notes

  • 1AB 295 (2025): statewide child care workforce development fund providing stipends and tuition assistance for licensed center employees.
  • 2Child abuse registry check required in addition to criminal background check.

Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Nevada DCFS Child Care Licensing

Official Sources

These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.

Compare Nevada With Other States

Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Mountain West.

Multi-state comparisons

Browse daycare licensing requirements for all 50 states and Washington D.C.

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