Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a child care / day care in Juneau, AK. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Alaska LLC Articles of Organization Filing
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development - Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing Division
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for all LLC formation in Alaska. Annual report required separately (see below).
Alaska LLC Annual Report
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development - Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing Division
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Applies to all LLCs. Filed online via Alaska Corporations database.
Child Care Facility License
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services - Child Care Program Office
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Mandatory for all child care facilities serving 1+ unrelated children for pay. Requires background checks, facility inspections, staff qualifications (15 hours training), and compliance with 7 AAC 57 standards. Provisional license available for new facilities.
Child Care Provider Background Check Registration
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services - Background Check Unit
May Apply Fee: $40.00-$40.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for all owners, employees, volunteers, and substitutes in licensed child care. Renew every 5 years. Fingerprint-based FBI check mandatory.
Assumed Name (DBA) Registration
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) - Corporations Section
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Renews with annual report if applicable. Applies to LLCs using trade names.
Alaska State Sales Tax Registration (Not Required)
Alaska Department of Revenue – Sales Tax Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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Alaska Corporate Net Income Tax Registration (If Taxed as a Corporation)
Alaska Department of Revenue – Business Tax Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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Alaska State Income Tax Withholding Registration (Not Required)
Alaska Department of Revenue – Taxpayer Services
Required Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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Alaska Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax Registration
Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development – Unemployment Insurance Division
May Apply Fee: $46500.00-$46500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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Alaska Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Mandatory for Employers)
Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development – Workers’ Compensation
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
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Anchorage Business License Tax Registration
City of Anchorage – Business License Tax Office (via Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development)
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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Fairbanks North Star Borough Business License Tax Registration
Fairbanks North Star Borough – Business License Tax Office (via Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development)
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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City of Juneau Business License Tax Registration
City of Juneau – Finance Department
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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No Federal Industry‑Specific Licenses Required for Child‑Care Centers
None (Federal agencies such as FDA, ATF, FCC, DOT do not issue licenses for standard child‑care operations)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Child‑care centers that do not serve regulated food products, handle hazardous materials, operate commercial motor vehicles, or sell alcohol/tobacco are not subject to federal licensing from these agencies. State licensing remains required.
Child Care License Renewal
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED)
Required Fee: $150.00-$150.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Renewal requires updated staff qualification documentation, a recent health inspection report, and payment of the renewal fee.
Staff Continuing Education Hours
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Hours must be documented and submitted with the license renewal application.
Annual Health Inspection
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services – Public Health Division
Required Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Inspection covers sanitation, food handling, immunization records, and overall child safety.
Annual Fire Safety Inspection
Anchorage Fire Department
Required Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Must verify working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and an up‑to‑date evacuation plan.
Local Sales Tax Permit (If Selling Taxable Goods in Municipalities with Sales Tax)
Anchorage Municipal Tax Office (example municipality)
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
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Anchorage Municipal Business License
Municipality of Anchorage
Required Fee: $75.00-$75.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Required for all businesses operating within Anchorage city limits, including child care LLCs
Anchorage Zoning Compliance (Conditional Use Permit for Child Care)
Municipality of Anchorage Planning Department
May Apply Fee: $285.00-$285.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Home-based day care may qualify for home occupation permit; large centers need site plan review
Anchorage Building Permit
Municipality of Anchorage Building Safety Division
May Apply Fee: $10.00-$10.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Child care facilities must meet commercial building codes even if home-based
Anchorage Fire Inspection and Permit
Anchorage Fire Department
Required Fee: $150.00-$150.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required for all child care facilities; must comply with IFC Chapter 10 for assembly occupancies
Anchorage Health Department Plan Review (Child Care)
Anchorage Health Department
May Apply Fee: $250.00-$250.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Separate from state child care license; focuses on food safety and hygiene
Fairbanks North Star Borough Business License
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Applies to all businesses in FNSB; child care specifically listed as requiring license
Fairbanks Fire Safety Plan Review
Fairbanks North Star Borough Fire Department
Required Fee: $200.00-$200.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Child care centers classified as Group E occupancy requiring annual inspections
Juneau Assembly Business License
City and Borough of Juneau
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
All businesses including child care/home day care require license per CBJ 49.15
Juneau Zoning Use Permit
City and Borough of Juneau Community Development
May Apply Fee: $395.00-$395.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Large day cares (12+ children) require public hearing
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Business License
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Child care specifically requires license per MSB 6.04
Building Permit Compliance (if applicable)
Local Municipality Building Department (e.g., Anchorage Building Department)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: permit
All child‑care facilities must meet Alaska Building Code requirements for safety and accessibility.
Quarterly Federal Payroll Tax Return (Form 941)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Employers must also deposit taxes according to the IRS deposit schedule (monthly or semi‑weekly).
Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return (Form 940)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
FUTA rate is 6.0 % on the first $7,000 of each employee’s wages, reduced by state UI credit.
Alaska Unemployment Insurance Quarterly Report
Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development – Unemployment Insurance Division
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Employers must also remit UI contributions with each filing.
Alaska Corporate Income Tax Return (Form 05‑20)
Alaska Department of Revenue
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
LLCs taxed as partnerships file no corporate tax; instead, income passes through to members.
Alaska Sales Tax Collection and Remittance (if applicable)
Alaska Department of Revenue – Tax Division
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Alaska has no statewide sales tax; local sales taxes are administered by the respective borough or city.
Record Retention for Child‑Care Licensing
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required records include daily attendance logs, staff qualifications, incident/accident reports, health and safety checks, and medication administration logs.
Federal and Alaska Labor Law Posters
U.S. Department of Labor; Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required posters include Minimum Wage, OSHA, Family & Medical Leave, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Alaska-specific wage and hour notices.
Annual Child‑Care Enrollment Report
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED)
Required Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Report must include total enrollment numbers, staff‑to‑child ratios, program types, and any changes in operation.
Fire Evacuation Plan Posting
Alaska Office of the State Fire Marshal
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
The plan must be visible to staff and children and include exit routes, assembly points, and responsibilities.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development – Workers' Compensation Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Alaska law (AS 23.25.010) requires any employer with at least one employee to maintain workers’ compensation insurance. The employer may self‑insure if approved by the Division.
General Liability Insurance (Child‑Care License Requirement)
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services – Division of Early Childhood (Child‑Care Licensing)
Required Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: annual
Type: certificate
Alaska Child‑Care Licensing Rule 12.03.020 requires licensed facilities to maintain liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
Surety Bond (License Bond)
Alaska Board of Massage Therapy
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$150.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Alaska Child‑Care Licensing Rule 12.03.030 mandates a $10,000 surety bond (or cash deposit) for certain license categories to protect families against financial loss.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles – Commercial Vehicle Insurance Requirements
May Apply Fee: $1200.00-$1200.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Alaska law (AS 28.45.010) requires all commercial vehicles to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage.
Professional Liability / Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not required by Alaska state law for roofing contractors
Required Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
While Alaska law does not mandate professional liability insurance for child‑care providers, the DHSS FAQ notes it is strongly recommended to protect against claims of negligence or abuse.
Product Liability Insurance
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development – Business Licensing
Required Fee: $1000.00-$1000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Only applicable if the child‑care business manufactures or sells physical products; otherwise not required.
Liquor Liability Insurance
Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Required Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Required only for establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. Child‑care facilities do not serve alcohol, so this insurance is not applicable.
Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
All LLCs that have employees or that elect to be taxed as a corporation must obtain an EIN. Single‑member LLCs with no employees may use the owner's SSN for Schedule C, but obtaining an EIN is recommended.
Federal Income Tax Filing Requirements for LLCs
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Renewal: annual
Type: permit
The tax classification (disregarded, partnership, or corporation) determines which form is filed. Estimated tax payments may be required quarterly.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Standards
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Child‑care centers are covered under OSHA’s General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910). Required elements include hazard communication, emergency exits, safe storage of cleaning chemicals, and maintaining OSHA 300 logs if applicable.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Requirements
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – Civil Rights Division
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Private child‑care facilities are covered by Title III of the ADA and must provide accessible entrances, restrooms, playground equipment, and program services for children and staff with disabilities.
Lead‑Safe Requirements for Child‑Care Facilities
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May Apply Fee: $200.00-$200.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Federal law (Lead‑Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act) requires child‑care centers to ensure that lead‑containing paint hazards are identified and mitigated. Documentation must be retained and made available to parents upon request.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Compliance
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
May Apply Fee: $500.00-$500.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
If the child‑care center maintains a website or app that gathers names, addresses, photos, or other personal data from children, it must provide a clear privacy policy, obtain verifiable parental consent, and allow parents to review/delete data.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Wage & Hour Requirements
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Wage and Hour Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Child‑care centers must pay at least the federal minimum wage, overtime for hours >40 per week, and maintain accurate time records. Certain employees may be exempt (e.g., qualified teachers), but verification is required.
Form I‑9 Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
All child‑care centers that employ staff must complete Form I‑9 for each employee and retain the forms for the required period. Participation in E‑Verify is optional but may be required by state law.
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