Childcare Center Director / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania 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.

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Manages childcare facilities providing care for young children.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Childcare Center Directors

To practice as a childcare center director in Pennsylvania, the state licensing board requires 68 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 Pennsylvania's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Education or Training Requirements".

The initial price tag is $124, and renewal costs $96 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, childcare center directors should know: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
63/100
Childcare Center Director · Pennsylvania

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
68 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$124
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$48/yr
$96 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 Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Education or Training Requirements
68 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$124
Renewal Fee
$96
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 Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Childcare Center Director in Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania's requirements cover 68 hours of education or training, and an initial fee of $124. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Childcare Center Director in Pennsylvania? ▼
To become a licensed childcare center director in Pennsylvania, you must meet the state's requirements including 68 hours of education. Contact the Pennsylvania licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Childcare Center Director license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
Childcare Center Director licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Not typically reciprocal. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Childcare Center Director licensing? ▼
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania ties continued childcare center director licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $96 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this childcare center director license

Childcare Center Director in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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.