# Youth program rules by state

Source: https://backpr.com/resources/states. Last updated: 2026-10-19.

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.

| State | School-age ratio in centers | State youth camp license | Every adult must report abuse |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alabama](https://backpr.com/resources/states/alabama) | 1:18 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Alaska](https://backpr.com/resources/states/alaska) | 1:10 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Arizona](https://backpr.com/resources/states/arizona) | 1:20 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Arkansas](https://backpr.com/resources/states/arkansas) | 1:18 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [California](https://backpr.com/resources/states/california) | 1:12 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Colorado](https://backpr.com/resources/states/colorado) | 1:15 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Connecticut](https://backpr.com/resources/states/connecticut) | 1:10 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Delaware](https://backpr.com/resources/states/delaware) | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| [District of Columbia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/district-of-columbia) | 1:12 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| [Florida](https://backpr.com/resources/states/florida) | 1:25 | Partly | Yes |
| [Georgia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/georgia) | 1:25 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Hawaii](https://backpr.com/resources/states/hawaii) | 1:20 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| [Idaho](https://backpr.com/resources/states/idaho) | 1:25 | No state license | Yes |
| [Illinois](https://backpr.com/resources/states/illinois) | 1:20 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Indiana](https://backpr.com/resources/states/indiana) | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| [Iowa](https://backpr.com/resources/states/iowa) | 1:15 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| [Kansas](https://backpr.com/resources/states/kansas) | 1:16 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Kentucky](https://backpr.com/resources/states/kentucky) | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| [Louisiana](https://backpr.com/resources/states/louisiana) | 1:23 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Maine](https://backpr.com/resources/states/maine) | 1:13 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Maryland](https://backpr.com/resources/states/maryland) | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| [Massachusetts](https://backpr.com/resources/states/massachusetts) | 1:13 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Michigan](https://backpr.com/resources/states/michigan) | 1:12 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Minnesota](https://backpr.com/resources/states/minnesota) | 1:10 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Mississippi](https://backpr.com/resources/states/mississippi) | 1:20 | Yes | Yes |
| [Missouri](https://backpr.com/resources/states/missouri) | 1:16 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| [Montana](https://backpr.com/resources/states/montana) | 1:20 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Nebraska](https://backpr.com/resources/states/nebraska) | 1:15 | Partly | Yes |
| [Nevada](https://backpr.com/resources/states/nevada) | 1:18 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| [New Hampshire](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-hampshire) | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| [New Jersey](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-jersey) | 1:15 | Yes | Yes |
| [New Mexico](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-mexico) | 1:15 | No state license | Yes |
| [New York](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-york) | 1:10 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [North Carolina](https://backpr.com/resources/states/north-carolina) | 1:25 | Partly | Yes |
| [North Dakota](https://backpr.com/resources/states/north-dakota) | 1:20 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| [Ohio](https://backpr.com/resources/states/ohio) | See page | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Oklahoma](https://backpr.com/resources/states/oklahoma) | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| [Oregon](https://backpr.com/resources/states/oregon) | 1:15 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Pennsylvania](https://backpr.com/resources/states/pennsylvania) | 1:12 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Rhode Island](https://backpr.com/resources/states/rhode-island) | 1:13 | Partly | Yes |
| [South Carolina](https://backpr.com/resources/states/south-carolina) | 1:23 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [South Dakota](https://backpr.com/resources/states/south-dakota) | 1:15 | No state license | No, listed professions |
| [Tennessee](https://backpr.com/resources/states/tennessee) | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| [Texas](https://backpr.com/resources/states/texas) | 1:26 | Yes | Yes |
| [Utah](https://backpr.com/resources/states/utah) | 1:20 | Partly | Yes |
| [Vermont](https://backpr.com/resources/states/vermont) | 1:13 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Virginia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/virginia) | 1:10 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Washington](https://backpr.com/resources/states/washington) | 1:15 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [West Virginia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/west-virginia) | 1:16 | Partly | No, listed professions |
| [Wisconsin](https://backpr.com/resources/states/wisconsin) | 1:18 | Yes | No, listed professions |
| [Wyoming](https://backpr.com/resources/states/wyoming) | 1:18 | No state license | Yes |

Ratios are for licensed child care centers; camps and license-exempt programs can differ. Rules change, so confirm with each state's agency.