1. (1) The department must conduct a pre-inspection with all child care center, school-age care, drop-in child care, group child care, and family child care license or registration applicants before the applicant can care for children.

   1. (a) FFN and RCE providers are not subject to pre-inspection requirements.
2. (2) The department will issue a 90-day provisional license or registration following successful pre-inspection. The facility can begin caring for children under the provisional license or registration.
3. (3) The department will observe the facility during the provisional license or registration period while children are in care to assess compliance with requirements before removing the provisional status.
4. (4) The department will issue a regular license or registration after the observation and completion of any required compliance measures. The department issues regular licenses and registrations for a period of one year.
5. (5) The department will recognize the status of, and will not require a state license or registration for, a facility that is licensed as a child care facility by a branch of the United States armed forces, including the United States Coast Guard.

Authorizing statute(s): 52-2-704, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 52-2-704, 52-2-721, 52-2-723, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-733, MCA

History: NEW, 2025 MAR, 37-1044, Eff. 5/1/25.