Texas Child Care Administrator Licensing
Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
Domain 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–20)
Q1. How often must a licensed child-care center renew its license with HHSC?
A) Every 6 months
B) Every 12 months
C) Every 24 months
D) Every 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas child-care licenses are valid for 24 months. Renewal applications must be
submitted before the expiration date, and a renewal inspection is typically required.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a type of child-care operation regulated by HHSC?
A) Licensed Child-Care Center
B) Registered Family Home
C) Listed School-Age Program
D) Public School District Kindergarten
Answer: D
Rationale: Public school district kindergartens are regulated by the Texas Education Agency
(TEA), not HHSC Child Care Regulation.
Q3. What is the consequence of operating a child-care facility without a license?
A) A warning letter only
B) Civil penalties up to $10,000 per day
C) Automatic approval after 30 days
D) No consequence if under 10 children
,Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Human Resources Code §42.078 allows HHSC to assess civil penalties up to
$10,000 per day for unlicensed operation. Criminal charges may also apply.
Q4. Who is considered a "responsible party" for a child-care license?
A) Any teacher working in the facility
B) The building landlord
C) The individual or entity legally responsible for the operation
D) The local fire marshal
Answer: C
Rationale: The responsible party is the licensed individual or entity (e.g., owner, board
president) who has legal authority and accountability for compliance with minimum standards.
Q5. Under Texas law, what is the maximum number of unrelated children that can be cared
for in a home without a license?
A) Up to 3 children
B) Up to 4 children
C) Up to 6 children
D) Up to 12 children
Answer: B
Rationale: Caring for 4 or more unrelated children for compensation typically requires a license
or registration. (3 or fewer is generally considered non-regulated babysitting.)
Q6. What is the "Child-Care Licensing Enforcement Action" process?
A) A voluntary self-assessment tool
B) A formal procedure for correcting violations, including plans of action, civil penalties,
suspension, or revocation
C) A mediation process for parent complaints
D) A financial audit of the facility
Answer: B
Rationale: Enforcement actions range from corrective action plans to license suspension or
revocation. HHSC uses progressive enforcement based on severity of violations.
Q7. True or False: A child-care center may operate at a different address than the one listed
on the license without prior approval.
A) True
B) False
, Answer: B
Rationale: The license is site-specific. Any change of address requires prior HHSC approval and a
new inspection before operation can begin at the new location.
Q8. What is the primary legal reference for Texas child-care minimum standards?
A) Texas Family Code
B) Texas Health and Safety Code
C) Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 26
D) Texas Business and Commerce Code
Answer: C
Rationale: The specific minimum standards are codified in Title 26 of the Texas Administrative
Code (TAC), Chapters 744 (Family Homes), 746 (Child-Care Centers), and 747 (Registered
Homes).
Q9. Which document outlines the center's policies, procedures, and operational plans?
A) Staff handbook only
B) Parent handbook and center policies
C) Licensing application only
D) Fire evacuation map
Answer: B
Rationale: The parent handbook (or center policies document) is a required component that
must be provided to families and available for HHSC review, covering everything from discipline
to illness policies.
Q10. If HHSC issues a "Corrective Action Plan," what is the typical deadline for compliance?
A) 24 hours
B) 10–30 days depending on severity
C) 6 months
D) No deadline
Answer: B
Rationale: Most corrective action plans require compliance within 10–30 days. Immediate
hazards may require correction within 24–48 hours.
Q11. A child-care center's license is currently "Probationary." What does this mean?
A) The center is fully compliant
B) The center has serious violations and is under increased monitoring
C) The center is closed indefinitely
D) The license has expired
Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
Domain 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–20)
Q1. How often must a licensed child-care center renew its license with HHSC?
A) Every 6 months
B) Every 12 months
C) Every 24 months
D) Every 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas child-care licenses are valid for 24 months. Renewal applications must be
submitted before the expiration date, and a renewal inspection is typically required.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a type of child-care operation regulated by HHSC?
A) Licensed Child-Care Center
B) Registered Family Home
C) Listed School-Age Program
D) Public School District Kindergarten
Answer: D
Rationale: Public school district kindergartens are regulated by the Texas Education Agency
(TEA), not HHSC Child Care Regulation.
Q3. What is the consequence of operating a child-care facility without a license?
A) A warning letter only
B) Civil penalties up to $10,000 per day
C) Automatic approval after 30 days
D) No consequence if under 10 children
,Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Human Resources Code §42.078 allows HHSC to assess civil penalties up to
$10,000 per day for unlicensed operation. Criminal charges may also apply.
Q4. Who is considered a "responsible party" for a child-care license?
A) Any teacher working in the facility
B) The building landlord
C) The individual or entity legally responsible for the operation
D) The local fire marshal
Answer: C
Rationale: The responsible party is the licensed individual or entity (e.g., owner, board
president) who has legal authority and accountability for compliance with minimum standards.
Q5. Under Texas law, what is the maximum number of unrelated children that can be cared
for in a home without a license?
A) Up to 3 children
B) Up to 4 children
C) Up to 6 children
D) Up to 12 children
Answer: B
Rationale: Caring for 4 or more unrelated children for compensation typically requires a license
or registration. (3 or fewer is generally considered non-regulated babysitting.)
Q6. What is the "Child-Care Licensing Enforcement Action" process?
A) A voluntary self-assessment tool
B) A formal procedure for correcting violations, including plans of action, civil penalties,
suspension, or revocation
C) A mediation process for parent complaints
D) A financial audit of the facility
Answer: B
Rationale: Enforcement actions range from corrective action plans to license suspension or
revocation. HHSC uses progressive enforcement based on severity of violations.
Q7. True or False: A child-care center may operate at a different address than the one listed
on the license without prior approval.
A) True
B) False
, Answer: B
Rationale: The license is site-specific. Any change of address requires prior HHSC approval and a
new inspection before operation can begin at the new location.
Q8. What is the primary legal reference for Texas child-care minimum standards?
A) Texas Family Code
B) Texas Health and Safety Code
C) Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 26
D) Texas Business and Commerce Code
Answer: C
Rationale: The specific minimum standards are codified in Title 26 of the Texas Administrative
Code (TAC), Chapters 744 (Family Homes), 746 (Child-Care Centers), and 747 (Registered
Homes).
Q9. Which document outlines the center's policies, procedures, and operational plans?
A) Staff handbook only
B) Parent handbook and center policies
C) Licensing application only
D) Fire evacuation map
Answer: B
Rationale: The parent handbook (or center policies document) is a required component that
must be provided to families and available for HHSC review, covering everything from discipline
to illness policies.
Q10. If HHSC issues a "Corrective Action Plan," what is the typical deadline for compliance?
A) 24 hours
B) 10–30 days depending on severity
C) 6 months
D) No deadline
Answer: B
Rationale: Most corrective action plans require compliance within 10–30 days. Immediate
hazards may require correction within 24–48 hours.
Q11. A child-care center's license is currently "Probationary." What does this mean?
A) The center is fully compliant
B) The center has serious violations and is under increased monitoring
C) The center is closed indefinitely
D) The license has expired
