Childcare Center Director / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Childcare Center Director License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Manages childcare facilities providing care for young children.

What the North Dakota data shows for Childcare Center Directors

North Dakota's path to childcare center director licensure runs through 13 hours of approved instruction with no mandatory state exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. North Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Education or Training Requirements".

Upfront cost is $44, with renewal running $39 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
78/100
Childcare Center Director · North Dakota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
13 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A+
$44
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$20/yr
$39 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Education or Training Requirements
13 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$44
Renewal Fee
$39
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Childcare Center Director All North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Childcare Center Director in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota's requirements cover 13 hours of education or training, and an initial fee of $44. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Childcare Center Director in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota licenses childcare center directors who complete its requirements (13 education hours). Verify the latest details with the North Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Childcare Center Director license to North Dakota from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for childcare center directors: Not typically reciprocal. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the North Dakota licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Childcare Center Director licensing? ▼
Yes, North Dakota requires a criminal background check as part of the childcare center director licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Childcare Center Director in North Dakota? ▼
To stay licensed as a childcare center director in North Dakota, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $39.

Related Guides

What to do with this childcare center director license

Childcare Center Director in North Dakota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a childcare center director-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Dakota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.