Childcare Center Director / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Childcare Center Director License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Manages childcare facilities providing care for young children.

What the Washington data shows for Childcare Center Directors

To practice as a childcare center director in Washington, the state licensing board requires 97 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 Washington's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Education or Training Requirements".

Upfront cost is $167, with renewal running $126 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
57/100
Childcare Center Director · Washington

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
97 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$167
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$63/yr
$126 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 Washington

Education / Training Hours
Education or Training Requirements
97 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$167
Renewal Fee
$126
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 Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Childcare Center Director in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover 97 hours of education or training, and an initial fee of $167. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Childcare Center Director in Washington? ▼
Certification as a childcare center director in Washington means clearing the state's checklist: 97 hours of education. The Washington licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Childcare Center Director license to Washington 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 Washington licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Washington require a background check for Childcare Center Director licensing? ▼
Yes, Washington 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 Washington? ▼
To stay licensed as a childcare center director in Washington, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $126.

Related Guides

What to do with this childcare center director license

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

  • See how Washington's childcare center director requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Childcare Center Director in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state childcare center director license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Washington's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Washington overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington 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.