Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
In accordance with DCF 202.04(4)(d) a certification agency may charge a fee for family child care certification not to exceed 150 percent of the licensing fee for a family child care center that provides care and supervision for 4 to 8 children, under s. 48.65 (3) (a), Stats.
The current licensing fee for a family center is $60.50. The maximum amount that a certification agency may charge for family certification is $90.75. The fee may be charged at initial application and / or for the re-certification application.
For additional licensing fees information, refer to Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Family Child Care Center.
Certification agencies may develop their own fee structure and policies. Such considerations may include, for example, whether or not the fee is refundable, accepted methods of payment (check, money order, credit card, etc.). A certification applicant/operator in the balance of the state cannot pay the agency’s fees using the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP). After the applicant submits the online application using the CCPP, the certification worker will get a Task in the Dashboard indicating the application has been submitted without payment. Agencies may follow up with the applicant to collect application fees, if applicable. Milwaukee applicants are able to submit an online application and pay fees using the e-payment module.
The provider may pay the annual background check fees using the Child Care Provider Portal. Certified operators shall pay any background check fees owed to the department before they are granted re-certification. Prior to granting re-certification, certification workers shall refer to the Transaction module in WISCCRS to ensure background check fees owed to the department have been paid. Any fees owed shall be paid to the department before recertification is granted. Background check fees may be paid using the Child Care Provider Portal.
Note: Fieldprint fingerprint fees are paid by the applicant/individual using Fieldprint Wisconsin scheduling website.
Failure to submit required fees may be considered an incomplete application or may warrant issuance of a noncompliance statement (if applicant is certified), denial or revocation of certification. See Certification Policy Module 9 - Sanctions for more information regarding sanctions.
Local County / Tribal agencies that have a contract with DCF are required to report the amount of child care certification fees collected in SPARC. Agency reimbursement will be reduced by the amount reported for child care certification fees. See SPARC for additional information. Local County / Tribal agencies that have a contract with DCF are required to report the amount of child care certification fees collected in SPARC.
This page last updated 01/2025.