Childcare Center Director / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey Childcare Center Director License Requirements

Compiled from official source data by PlainCredential

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Manages childcare facilities providing care for young children.

What the New Jersey data shows for Childcare Center Directors

To practice as a childcare center director in New Jersey, the state licensing board requires 78 documented education or training hours, no mandatory state exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under New Jersey's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Education or Training Requirements".

Budget $139 to get started, plus $106 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

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

Licensing Requirements in New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Education or Training Requirements
78 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$139
Renewal Fee
$106
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Childcare Center Director in New Jersey? ▼
In New Jersey, the license path calls for 78 education/training hours, and a $139 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Childcare Center Director in New Jersey? ▼
To become a licensed childcare center director in New Jersey, you must meet the state's requirements including 78 hours of education. Contact the New Jersey licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Childcare Center Director license to New Jersey from another state? ▼
For childcare center directors, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Not typically reciprocal. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the New Jersey licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Childcare Center Director licensing? ▼
New Jersey does require a background check before issuing a childcare center director license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Childcare Center Director in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey ties continued childcare center director licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $106 renewal fee.

Related Guides

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

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