A daycare license in Texas is issued by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Child Care Licensing, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 8 documents on file for staff and children and meet 9 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual permit renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Child Care Licensing requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Child Care Licensing. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
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See a ready-made enrollment packet →Texas childcare licensing is administered by Child Care Licensing within the Health and Human Services Commission. Any operation providing care for 7 or more children (or 4 or more unrelated children) must be licensed. Texas uses a Texas Rising Star (TRS) tiered quality rating system. SB 11 (2023) overhauled childcare licensing rules, and HB 2515 (2025) created a new childcare workforce scholarship program.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| 0–11 months | 1:4 | 10 |
| 12–17 months | 1:5 | 13 |
| 18–23 months | 1:9 | 18 |
| 2 years | 1:11 | 22 |
| 3 years | 1:15 | 30 |
| 4 years | 1:18 | 35 |
| 5 years | 1:22 | 35 |
| 6–8 years | 1:26 | 35 |
| 9–13 years | 1:26 | 35 |
Group sizes apply to centers licensed for 13 or more children; ratios are based on the specified age of the group (§746.1603). Centers with 12 or fewer children use a separate chart (§746.1701). Groups of children 18 months and older may run at half ratio during naptime with an additional adult in the building (§746.1613).
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Texas HHSC Child Care Licensing
Admission and Enrollment Form
Child name, DOB, address, parent/guardian contact information, and authorized pickup list.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Texas DSHS schedule required on file prior to enrollment.
Health Statement
Parent or healthcare professional statement on child health status required within 30 days.
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.
Parent's Guide Acknowledgment
Receipt of the state-issued 'A Parent's Guide to Day Care'.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Texas HHSC Child Care Licensing
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions (signed by a licensed physician) and conscientious exemptions (personal or religious beliefs) are permitted. Conscientious exemptions require an official DSHS affidavit renewed every 2 years.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Texas HHSC Child Care Licensing
Minimum Age
18 years for caregivers. Assistants may be 16+ under direct supervision.
Background Check
Texas DPS criminal history check, FBI fingerprint check, Central Registry (child abuse), and sex offender registry check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or 12 credit hours in child development or ECE required. 24 hours of annual training required.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED preferred. Must complete pre-service training before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
24 hours of annual training required for all caregivers. Specific mandatory topics per Chapter 746.
Director Qualifications
Director must be at least 21 years old with a degree in ECE or CDA credential, plus director-specific training.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Texas HHSC Child Care Licensing
Inspection Frequency
Unannounced. Frequency depends on permit stage and history — newly licensed centers are inspected at least three times in the first six months (HHSC Handbook §3500); established centers on a risk-based schedule set by HHSC.
License Renewal
Annual permit renewal required.
Application Process
Apply through HHSC Child Care Licensing. Includes background checks, fire safety inspection, and facility inspection.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact HHSC for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Texas HHSC Child Care Licensing
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Texas HHSC Child Care Licensing
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.
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 South Central states.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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