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Before you submit your application
Important Information for Creating an Online Permit Account: All new applications and renewals must be submitted online. You must now have a NYC ID to create a new online permit account or to renew your current permit. If you already have an account with the NYC Health Department online permit portal, use the email address you use for your existing account when you create your NYC ID.
Before you can apply for a Group Child Care Center permit, you must attend a mandatory Pre-Permit Orientation Session at your local Borough Office. After you successfully complete the orientation you will be given a certificate number which you will need to apply for your permit
Review the Site Viability Checklist to ensure the site you have chosen for your center will meet the requirements.
Complete the Site Viability Inspection application. You will upload this document when you apply.
All Group Child Care permit holders must operate in accordance with the requirements set by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Refer to the Group Child Care Resource List for contact information, guidance for obtaining certifications and approvals, as well as other resources for opening and operating a group child care center.
Resources for Group Child Care Center Permit Applicants and Operators (PDF )
All child care services serving food to children must have a supervising manager who has passed a Food Protection Course and received a Food Protection Certificate. To obtain a Food Protection Certificate, register for the Food Protection Course prior to submitting the application for a Group Child Care permit.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
You can review and pay outstanding violations at 66 John St, 10th floor, New York, N.Y. 10038 or by going online to the MyCity Portal.
Fines may also be paid in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center. Appointments are required.
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York NY 10004
List of Permit Fees. More info
- Group Child Care application: $200. Permits are valid for a period of two years. Separate permits must be issued for Infant Services and Preschools. Payment by debit or credit card only (all applications must be submitted online)
- Food Protection Course: $114 (check, money order or debit/credit card when registering in person; debit/credit when registering online)
- Payment for Health Code Violation(s), if any (check, money order or debit/credit card when paying in person; debit/credit only when paying online)
- Fingerprinting Fee: $110 (money order only)
List of accepted payment methods. More info
- Visa Debit and Credit Cards
- Master Card Debit and Credit Cards
- American Express Card
- Discover Card
All new and renewal applications for a Group Child Care permit must be submitted online. If you do not have access to the internet, you can search for a public library in your borough. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
Ready to Apply?
Steps to apply online:
Important Information for Creating an Online Permit Account: You must now have a NYC ID to create a new online permit account. If you already have an account with the NYC Health Department online permit portal, use the email address you use for your existing account when you create your NYC ID.
To apply, you must have completed a pre-permit orientation session given by the NYC Department of Health. You will need the certificate number that was given to you when you completed the orientation. If you have not taken an orientation, you must do so before you apply for a permit.
Complete the Site Viability Inspection application. You will upload this document when you apply. Do not use any special characters when naming this file or the upload may fail.
Make electronic versions of each required document: Site Viability Application, Proof of ID, and if applicable, Proof of Not-for-Profit status. You will be required to upload these documents into the application system. Each document must be uploaded one at a time. Select the name of the document then upload that document. The following document types can be uploaded: PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD, and TXT. If your documents' names contain any special characters the upload will fail. Do not name them using special characters.
Steps to apply by mail:
Applications for a new Group Child Care Center permit are only accepted online. See Apply Online. If you do not have access to the internet, you may search for a library in your neighborhood. All public libraries have computers with internet access.
Steps to apply in person:
Applications for a new Group Child Care Center permit are only accepted online. See Apply Online. If you do not have access to the internet, you may search for a library in your neighborhood. All public libraries have computers with internet access.