Washington rulebook · checked October 2026

Watching Kids at Home in Washington: How Many Before You Need a License?

In Washington, there is no unlicensed tier for regular paid care of unrelated children: the first child on a regular schedule already needs the state's permit. The only question is which tier.

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The Washington line, in facts

Licensing agency: Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — Early Learning Licensing

The line: In Washington, there is no unlicensed tier for regular paid care of unrelated children: the first child on a regular schedule already needs the state's permit. The only question is which tier.

Your own children: counted — Washington includes your own children (birth through 12) in the numbers that decide your category.

The categories above the line

Category	Capacity	What it means
Family Home Early Learning Program (licensed)	up to 12	You live in the home. Maximum 12 children birth through age 12 — and capacity counts EVERY child on the premises in that range, including your own children, staff children and unaccompanied visiting children (WAC 110-300-0355(4)). The capacity you are actually granted is tiered by your experience (see Ratios).

What comes with the license

Ratios: Experience tiers for a solo licensee (WAC 110-300-0355): under 1 year of experience — up to 6 children, max 3 under age 2, and if 3 are under 2 one must walk independently. 1 to under 2 years — up to 8 children ages 2–12 (max 4 under age 3), or up to 9 birth–12 with a qualified assistant (max 4 under 2). At 2+ years — up to 12 children with qualified staffing.
Training before you open: DCYF licensing orientation, background check, TB test, Child Care Basics training, first aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens, and safe sleep training where applicable (WAC 110-300-0105/0106). An ECE Initial Certificate (12 credits) is due within 5 years of licensure, with the Short Certificate (20 credits) after.
Training to stay open: 10 hours of annual in-service (STARS) training (WAC 110-300-0107).
State fees: Annual family home license fee: $30, due with the initial application and each year before the license anniversary (WAC 110-300-0401(4)).
Realistic timeline:

What catches people in Washington

Washington is the strictest trigger in this batch: there is NO 2-, 3- or 4-child license-free tier for regular, ongoing paid home care. One unrelated child, regularly, is a licensable program.
A waiver to serve 13–16 children exists on paper (WAC 110-300-0358) but DCYF says the rule is reverting after a court decision — treat waiver availability as in flux.

Rules checked October 2026 · Sources: WAC 110-300-0010(3) (license required for regular care of 1 or more children not related to the licensee); RCW 43.216.010(2) and WAC 110-300-0025 (who is exempt); WAC 110-300-0355 (capacity counts all children on the premises; experience tiers); WAC 110-300-0401 (fee). This page reads the published rules; it is not legal advice, and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — Early Learning Licensing is the final word.

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