Residential Child Caring Agency Licensing and Child Placing Agency Licensing

Initial Licensing
  
The Department of Human Services, Public Health, Children's Services Licensing would like to assist you in determining which license is appropriate for the services you intend to provide for Nebraska children and youth. To assist you in an accurate and timely manner, please complete the Residential Child-Caring and Child-Placing Agency Pre-Screening Tool.​ 

​Based on evaluation of your pre-screening responses, you will be provided additional information or resources to assist you further at the email address provided on the pre-screening document.  

Renewal Licensing

Residential Child-Caring Agency and Child-Placing Agency licenses are renewed annually per regulations adopted in 2021. ​

Residential Child-Caring Agency licenses expire on September 30 of each calendar year.  Child-Placing Agency licenses expire on March 31 of each calendar year. At least 60 days prior to expiration, currently licensed agencies will receive written correspondence from Children's Services Licensing requesting they submit complete renewal materials for their specific license type.

For Residential Child-Caring Agency renewal, please submit:

• Completed application indicating renewal
• Proof of liability insurance coverage or evidence if self-insured
• Current Certificate of Occupancy
• Most recent Fire and Sanitation Inspection approvals
• Check or money order for $25 renewal fee

​For Child-Placing Agency renewal, please submit:

• Complete application indicating renewal
  
• Proof of liability insurance coverage or evidence if self-insured
• Check or money order for $25 renewal fee

Renewed licenses will not be issued to the licensee without proper application and payment.

Unless requested otherwise, all information may be mailed to:

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Licensure Unit
Children's Services Licensing
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986

Any licensee who needs to make a change to the license must obtain approval from the Department of Health and Human Services. To obtain approval, please e-mail DHHS.ChildCareLicensing@nebraska.gov​ for an application. The application can be sent to:

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Licensure Unit
Children's Services Licensing
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986

Changes in the license include: 

• Location
• Administrator
• Age range
• Capacity
• Space
• Gender of children 

• Provisional and Probationary License Fees for Residential Child-Caring and Child-Placing Agencies: $25
• Initial and Renewal License Fees for Residential Child Caring and Child Placing Agencies: $25
• Duplicate license fee: $10

Fee must be received before a license will be issued. Fees are non-refundable. Cash is not accepted.

• Please contact DHHS.ChildCareLicensing@nebraska.gov​ for an application.
  

You are required to have pre-licensing inspections before you can begin operation. The department will investigate to determine if you are able to ensure the proper care and treatment of children. Types of inspections include:

• Initial licensure
• Renewal licensure
• Complaint investigation
• Change in the use of the facility (capacity, adding rooms, service)