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State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

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Key Message

In many cases, in-home childcare providers certified by the military and who live off a military installation must also be licensed by the state, even when only caring for eligible military children. By exempting in-home childcare providers certified by the military from state licensure requirements, states can improve access to family childcare for military families.

Analysis

By exempting Family Child Care providers from licensure and registration that is duplicative of the certification they receive from the military services, states enhance the quality of life and economic security of both the providers and military families seeking qualified childcare options.

Best Practices

The following best practices are enacted state laws or policies that have been identified as gold standard examples in meeting the criteria of this priority.

Best Practice States

AlaskaState Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes7 AAC 51.015 01/01/2021
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Alaska Administrative Code allows for the exemption of military family child care providers, "a facility located on a United States Department of Defense or United States Coast Guard installation that is located on federal property, or a facility certified as a family child care provider by a branch of the United States Department of Defense or by the United States Coast Guard."
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ConnecticutState Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care HomesHB 5049 04/27/2023HB 5049 06/01/2023HB 5049 06/12/2023
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On June 12, 2023 Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation allowing family child care providers licensed by the United States Coast Guard or a branch of the military under the United States Department of Defense to provide care for children of service members in Connecticut. Connecticut is the 9th state to enact this policy.
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MaineState Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care HomesLD 388 05/13/2025LD 388 05/14/2025LD 388 05/23/2025
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Chapter 101 of Public Law 2025 explicitly exempts Family Child Care providers certified by the Defense Department from relicensing requirements in the State of Maine. DoD certified FCC providers who provide care for military-connected children are exempt from FCC statute.
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MontanaState Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care HomesHB 336 02/22/2023HB 336 03/21/2023HB 336 04/20/2023
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The State of Montana may not require a state license for a childcare provider or facility that is licensed by a branch of the United States armed forces.
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New MexicoState Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care HomesHB 302 02/10/2024HB 302 02/14/2024HB 302 02/28/2024
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New Mexico enacted law adding Space Force to the definition of "armed forces" in statute, exempting military Family Child Care providers from state licensing requirements, and adding military family status in anti-discrimination statute.
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OklahomaState Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care HomesSB 1286 04/28/2022
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Exempts family child care providers licensed by one of the military services or by the Coast Guard from the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act. Note the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, responsible for child care licensing, has stated certifications completed by the military services or by the Coast Guard are equivalent to the licensing requirements in the state of Oklahoma.
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Supporting Resources

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State Policymakers

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