How to Get a Child Care Home, Family License in Tennessee
Tennessee requires a child care home, family license to offer professional services. State fees are $5, which is well below the $96 national average.
Last verified: 2022-03-01 · Source: Institute for Justice, License to Work 3
Quick Facts
- License Required
- Yes
- Licensing Fees
- $5(well below the $96 national average)
- Minimum Age
- 18 years old
What This Means for Your Home Child Care Home, Family Business
Tennessee makes it possible to run a home child care home, family business, but there's a licensing path to follow first. Tennessee is one of 44 states that require licensing.
The good news: Tennessee's $5 fee is below the $96 national average. The real investment is time, not money.
Once licensed, Tennessee offers advantages: no sales tax on services, reducing complexity. Plus, LLC formation is just $300. Your total non-training startup can be under $1,000.
Important detail: Even though you're working from home, you'll still need a shop license from the Tennessee licensing board. Your home workspace must meet their sanitation and safety standards. This is separate from your personal child care home, family license and is something many first-time home-based child care home, familys overlook.
How to Start Your Home Child Care Home, Family Business
Follow these steps to legally launch your business in Tennessee. Most people complete this within 2-4 weeks.
Complete Child Care Home, Family Training
Enroll in a Tennessee-approved child care home, family school.
Tip: You must apply for your exams within a set timeframe after completing your education — don't wait.
Pass the Required Exam ($5)
Once you've finished training, register for the required exam through the Tennessee licensing board.
Form Your Tennessee LLC ($300 state fee)
Register your business with the Tennessee Secretary of State. An LLC protects your personal assets if something goes wrong — a client injury, a lawsuit, or unpaid bills. It also makes you look more professional to clients and helps with taxes.
Fast track: Services like ZenBusiness can form your Tennessee LLC online for $0 + the $300 state filing fee. They handle the paperwork and registered agent service.
Get a Home Occupation Permit & Shop License
You need two things to legally operate from home:
- Home occupation permit — from your county clerk or zoning office. This confirms your neighborhood allows a business from your home. Fees vary by county ($25-$100 typically).
- Shop license — from the Tennessee licensing board. Your home workspace must meet their sanitation standards, including proper ventilation, sanitary station setup, and waste disposal.
Get Business Insurance
General liability insurance protects you if a client has an allergic reaction, slips in your home, or claims damage. Most policies for home-based child care home, familys cost $15-$40/month. It's not legally required in Tennessee, but going without it is a real risk when you're working with clients in your home.
Register for State & Federal Taxes
Tennessee does not charge sales tax on personal services. So you won't need to collect sales tax from clients. However, you still need to:
- Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS — free, takes 5 minutes online
- Register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for state income tax
- If you sell products (shampoo, styling products), you will need to collect Tennessee's 7% sales tax on those product sales
Book Your First Clients
You're legal and ready. Start building your client base:
- Set up an online booking system (Square Appointments, Booksy, or Vagaro are popular with home-based child care home, familys)
- Create a Google Business Profile so local clients can find you
- Post your work on Instagram — before-and-afters are the #1 way home child care home, familys attract clients
- Ask early clients for Google reviews — reviews are critical for home-based businesses without storefront visibility
Total Estimated Startup Costs
| Exam fees + license | $5 |
| Tennessee LLC formation | $300 |
| Home occupation permit | $25 - $100 |
| Business insurance (first year) | $180 - $480 |
| Total (excluding training/school) | $510 - $885 |
* School tuition varies widely. Some community colleges offer programs under $5,000. The apprenticeship path avoids tuition entirely.
Child Care Home, Family Earning Potential in Tennessee
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2024), here's what childcare workers earn in Tennessee. There are approximately 13,190 employed in the state.
Median Hourly
$13.96
Median Annual
$29,030
Entry Level
$10.51/hr
Top Earners
$17.31/hr
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $10.51 | $21,861 |
| 25th | $11.62 | $24,170 |
| 50th (median) | $13.96 | $29,030 |
| 75th | $16.12 | $33,530 |
| 90th (top earners) | $17.31 | $36,005 |
Note for home-based operators: BLS wage data reflects employed (W-2) workers. Self-employed child care home, familys working from home often charge 20-40% more since they set their own rates and don't pay salon/shop rent. At the median rate, working 30 hours/week would gross roughly $28,311/year as an independent operator.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
Tennessee Business Setup Costs & Details
Here's what you need to know about setting up any home business in Tennessee — beyond the child care home, family license itself.
Compare Child Care Home, Family Requirements in Nearby States
See how Tennessee's requirements compare to neighboring states.
| State | License? | Fees | Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee(you) | Yes | $5 | — |
| Alabama | Yes | $47 | 4 days |
| Arkansas | Yes | $176 | 3 days |
| Georgia | Yes | $50 | 7 days |
| Kentucky | Yes | $40 | 1 days |
| Mississippi | Yes | $190 | 732 days |
Key takeaway: All of Tennessee's neighbors require a child care home, family license. Tennessee's fees are competitive with the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a child care home, family license in Tennessee?
Can I run a child care home, family business from my home in Tennessee?
Do I need to collect sales tax as a child care home, family in Tennessee?
How much does an LLC cost in Tennessee?
More Child Care Home, Family Resources for Tennessee
Child Care Home, Family Salary in Tennessee
BLS wage data, percentiles, and state rankings
License Cost Breakdown
Complete cost analysis: fees, training, exams, LLC
Best States for Child Care Home, Familys
All 50 states ranked by wages, fees, and costs
No-License Jobs in Tennessee
Occupations you can start without a license
Pricing Calculator
Figure out how much to charge clients
Startup Cost Calculator
Personalized budget for your home business
Sources & Disclaimer
Data Sources
- License data: Institute for Justice, License to Work 3 (2022). Independently verified dataset covering licensing requirements across all 50 states + DC.
- LLC and tax data: Tennessee Secretary of State and Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Disclaimer: This guide was last verified 2022-03-01. Licensing laws and fees change — always confirm current requirements directly with the Tennessee licensing board before making business decisions. This site provides general information for educational purposes and is not legal advice.