State library
Youth program rules by state
Licensing, staff-to-child ratios, background checks, medication rules and mandated reporting for camps, after-school programs and child care centers in every state and DC, with links to each state's official sources.
Map
Choose your state
Numbers on the map: youth and community program nonprofits in each state, from our IRS data report.
At a glance
Every state, side by side
| State | School-age ratio in centers | State youth camp license | Every adult must report abuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1:18 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Alaska | 1:10 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Arizona | 1:20 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Arkansas | 1:18 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| California | 1:12 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Colorado | 1:15 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Connecticut | 1:10 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Delaware | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | 1:12 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| Florida | 1:25 | Partly | Yes |
| Georgia | 1:25 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Hawaii | 1:20 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| Idaho | 1:25 | No state license | Yes |
| Illinois | 1:20 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Indiana | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| Iowa | 1:15 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| Kansas | 1:16 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Kentucky | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | 1:23 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Maine | 1:13 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Maryland | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 1:13 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Michigan | 1:12 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Minnesota | 1:10 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Mississippi | 1:20 | Yes | Yes |
| Missouri | 1:16 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| Montana | 1:20 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Nebraska | 1:15 | Partly | Yes |
| Nevada | 1:18 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| New Hampshire | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | 1:15 | No state license | Yes |
| New York | 1:10 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| North Carolina | 1:25 | Partly | Yes |
| North Dakota | 1:20 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| Ohio | See page | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Oklahoma | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| Oregon | 1:15 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Pennsylvania | 1:12 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Rhode Island | 1:13 | Partly | Yes |
| South Carolina | 1:23 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| South Dakota | 1:15 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| Tennessee | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| Texas | 1:26 | Yes | Yes |
| Utah | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| Vermont | 1:13 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Virginia | 1:10 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Washington | 1:15 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| West Virginia | 1:16 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| Wisconsin | 1:18 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| Wyoming | 1:18 | No state license | Yes |
Ratios are for licensed child care centers; camps and license-exempt programs can differ. Researched from each state's official rules and federal sources, linked on each state's page. Rules change, so confirm with your state's agency. This is general information, not legal advice.
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