Licensing Agency
Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS)
License: Group Care Home|Family Boarding Home
Key Requirements & Qualifications
11 items- 1
Maintain confidentiality (T.C.A. § 37-2-408)
- 2
Written policies for reporting child abuse/neglect
- 3
Keep accurate statistical records
- 4
Annual application for licensure
- 5
Employees of good character, health, emotional stability, and ability
- 6
Physical examination and tuberculin test for employees with child contact
- 7
Exclusion for certain crimes (child abuse, violence, drug offenses)
- 8
Orientation and training on child abuse detection/reporting for employees within 2 weeks
- 9
Separate bed for each child; children of opposite sex over 5 not in same room; children not in same room with adults
- 10
65 sq ft for first child, 50 sq ft for each additional; no more than 4 children per sleeping room
- 11
Adequate smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; written evacuation plan
Governing Law & Regulatory Code
Click the code above to open the official state regulations website in a new tab.
Official State Resource
Visit the official state government website to access current application forms, full regulatory text, and contact information for the licensing agency.
Open Official Websitehttps://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/licensing.html
Fees & Costs
Family boarding home or foster care home: $25.00|Group care home: $25.00
Getting Started Checklist
Important Notice
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the state licensing agency before submitting applications. This information is for educational purposes only.