1. (a) Any person or entity who intends to operate a program shall create an account in “New Hampshire Connections Information System (NHCIS)” at https://new-hampshire.my.site.com/nhccis/s/login/?ec=302&startURL=%2Fnhccis%2Fs%2F or obtain an application packet from the unit.

2. (b) All new applicants for licensure shall complete and submit an application by either applying online via the portal described in (a) above or by submitting to the department:

   1. (1) An “Application for Family Child Care Program” (August 2025) certifying that:

      “I understand that the department may investigate any criminal conviction record, finding of child abuse or neglect, or investigation of or final determination regarding any juvenile delinquency and will make a determination regarding whether the individual is eligible to be in a child care program;

      I understand that the department may delay its decision to approve or deny this application pending the outcome of any investigation, when the applicant, owner, or family child care provider, are named as the perpetrator in any current investigation of any crime, or in an allegation of abuse or neglect;

      I understand that providing false information on this application or any of the attachments, or failing to disclose any information required on the application, or required to be submitted with this application, shall be considered grounds for license denial or revocation;

      I have read the NH child care program licensing rules, and understand that failure to maintain my program in compliance with the rules, may jeopardize my license/permit and/or result in fines being assessed by the department;

      I authorize any police department, court system or human service agency in this or any other state to release copies of any criminal records or child abuse or neglect records to the department; and

      All information provided as part of this application and in the required attachments is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.”; or

   2. (2) An "Application for Child Care Center" (August 2025) certifying that:

      “I understand that the department may investigate any criminal conviction record, finding of child abuse or neglect, or investigation of or final determination regarding any juvenile delinquency and will make a determination regarding whether the individual is eligible to be in the child care program;

      I understand that the department may delay its decision to approve or deny this application pending the outcome of any investigation, when the applicant, owner, center director, site coordinator, or site director, are named as the perpetrator in any current investigation of any crime, or in an allegation of abuse or neglect;

      I understand that providing false information on this application or any of the attachments, or failing to disclose any information required on the application, or required to be submitted with this application, shall be considered grounds for license denial or revocation;

      I have read the NH Child Care Program licensing rules, and understand that failure to maintain my program in compliance with the applicable rules, may jeopardize my license/permit and/or result in fines being assessed by the department;

      I authorize any police department, court system or human service agency in this or any other state to release copies of any criminal records or child abuse or neglect records to the department; and

      All information provided as part of this application and in the required attachments is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.”

3. (c) The applications in (b) above shall not be considered complete until the department receives all of the information as specified in (e) below.

4. (d) Center based programs with multiple buildings on the same or contiguous properties may apply for a single license via one application for those buildings provided that:

   1. (1) The buildings are on a single, site-specific address;
   2. (2) There is a system or procedure in place so staff in each building can quickly and easily communicate with staff in the other buildings, thereby allowing the multiple buildings to function efficiently as a single program;
   3. (3) Staffing requirements for center-based agencies with multiple buildings are met as specified in He-C 4002.34; and
   4. (4) In each building, there are adequate square footage and bathroom facilities for the number of children who will be cared for, in accordance with He-C 4002.21.

5. (e) Except as specified in (f) below, the applicant for a new license shall submit to the department the following with the application:

   1. (1) A “Child Care Personnel Health Form” (August 2025) or an equivalent record of a health screening for the program manager, completed by a licensed practitioner no more than one year prior to the date the department receives the application, certifying that the program manager has no apparent health problems that would prohibit their employment caring for children, and an authorization by the program manager for the licensed practitioner to release the medical information on the form to the child care program and the child care licensing unit;
   2. (2) Written approval from the local health officer documenting that, within the 12 months immediately preceding the date the department receives the application, the premises have been inspected and approved by a local health officer, for operation as a program;
   3. (3) Written approval from the local fire inspector that, within the 12 months preceding the date the application for licensure is received by the department, the premises have been inspected for compliance with Saf-FMO 300 and RSA 153:1 VI-a, by the local fire department or the state fire marshal’s office, and approved to operate as a program;
   4. (4) Documentation from the applicable town or city that the program has been granted zoning approval or that no zoning approval is required;

   5. (5) Background check forms as specified in He-C 4002.40 for:

      1. a. The owner or applicant;
      2. b. All household members aged 12 years and older; and
      3. c. The program manager;
   6. (6) Verification from the New Hampshire secretary of state that the applicant is in good standing;

   7. (7) A diagram of the indoor and outdoor space for each building, which includes:

      1. a. For indoor space:

         1. 1. Room dimensions;
         2. 2. Location of exits;
         3. 3. How each room will be used;
         4. 4. The location of bathrooms and bathroom fixtures, such as toilets and sinks;
         5. 5. The location of other handwashing sinks; and

      2. b. For outdoor play space:

         1. 1. The overall dimensions of outdoor play space;
         2. 2. The location of exits, gates, and stationary play equipment;
         3. 3. The location of the outdoor play space in relation to the indoor space; and
         4. 4. The presence of and location of any pools, ponds, streams, rivers, streets, roads, or other hazards that are in close proximity; and
   8. (8) In accordance with RSA 130-A:5-d, II, certification of lead safety for new applicants in buildings erected prior to January 1, 1978.
6. (f) In accordance with RSA 170-E:6, school-age programs operating in buildings in which public or private schools are located shall not be required to submit the documentation required in (e)(2) through (4) or (8) above.
7. (g) For all programs, the applicant shall submit documentation that the program manager meets the age, education, and experience requirements for the applicable program type(s) as specified in He-C 4002.33 and He-C 4002.34, such as copies of transcripts, certificates, diplomas, a non-expired NH child care credential, or degrees as applicable, and a résumé or verification of previous experience if such experience is required to meet the qualifications for the position.

8. (h) No less than 3 months prior to the expiration date of the current license, applicants for license renewal shall submit to the department the following through the “NHCIS” portal at https://new-hampshire.my.site.com/nhccis/s/login/?ec=302&startURL=%2Fnhccis%2Fs%2F or by using the forms below:

   1. (1) A signed and completed application “Application for Family Child Care Program” (August 2025) or "Application for Child Care Center" (August 2025) for license renewal, in accordance with He-C 4002.02;
   2. (2) Written approval from the local health officer documenting that, within the 12 months immediately preceding the date the department receives the application, the premises have been inspected and approved by a local health officer, for operation as a program;
   3. (3) Written approval from the local fire inspector that, within the 12 months preceding the date the application for licensure is received by the department, the premises have been inspected for compliance with Saf-FMO 300 and RSA 153:1 VI-a, by the local fire department or the state fire marshal’s office, and approved to operate as a program;
   4. (4) Verification from the New Hampshire secretary of state that the applicant is in good standing;
   5. (5) A completed “Staff and Household List” (August 2025) or updated staff roster in NHCIS; and
   6. (6) A diagram of the indoor and outdoor space if changed since the previous application.

9. (i) Upon receipt of a complete license application and inspection by department staff, the department shall:

   1. (1) Issue a 6-month permit to the applicant for a new applicant; or
   2. (2) Issue a 3-year license to the applicant for a license renewal.
10. (j) The license issued in accordance with (i) above shall reflect the maximum number of children approved by the local fire inspector, health officer, and zoning officials, and in accordance with the available floor space as measured by the department in accordance with He-C 4002.21(c) and (d) and the number of available toilets and sinks in accordance with He-C 4002.21(b).
11. (k) In accordance with RSA 541-A:30, I, if a timely and sufficient application has been made in accordance with agency rules for renewal of a license for any activity of a continuing nature that does not automatically expire by law, the existing license shall not expire until the agency has taken final action upon the application for renewal.

12. (l) The license or permit shall:

    1. (1) Not be transferable to a new owner or to a new location; and

    2. (2) No longer be valid when:

       1. a. The licensee has surrendered a license or permit;
       2. b. The license has expired and a complete application form with attachments has not been received by the department; or

       3. c. The license or permit has been revoked or suspended and:

          1. 1. The licensee did not request an administrative hearing; or
          2. 2. The licensee requested an administrative hearing and, following that hearing, a decision was issued upholding the revocation or suspension.

13. (m) The licensee shall apply for revision of the license:

    1. (1) When they wish to add additional program types or change the type(s) of program for which they are licensed or permitted; or
    2. (2) Prior to moving to a new location.

14. (n) A licensee who wishes to increase their license capacity shall:

    1. (1) Submit a written request to the department;
    2. (2) Obtain approvals from the local fire inspector, health inspector, and zoning officials, when the increase exceeds the limits established in the current approvals;
    3. (3) Submit diagrams of indoor and outdoor space, in accordance with He-C 4002.02(d)(7), if there have been changes in the child care space; and
    4. (4) Not increase enrollment beyond the current license capacity until the department issues the program a revised license or permit or other written authorization by the department for the increased license capacity.

Source. #2664, eff 3-30-84, EXPIRED 3-30-90 New. #4871, eff 7-24-90; ss by #5203, eff 8-16-91; ss by #6558, INTERIM, eff 8-16-97, EXPIRED: 12-14-97 New. #6719, eff 3-25-98; ss by #7294, eff 5-26-00; ss by #9160, INTERIM, eff 5-26-08; ss by #9310, eff 11-23-08; ss by #12046, INTERIM, eff 11-19-16; ss by #12174, EMERGENCY RULE, eff 5-17-17; ss by #12415, eff 11-6-17; ss by #13373, eff 4-22-22; ss by #14356, eff 9-22-25, EXPIRES: 9-22-35