Many States require that families providing foster care must be licensed, certified, or approved; however, licensing rules and regulations vary from State to State. Find resources and information about licensure types and requirements.
Becoming a Foster Parent
National Foster Parent Association
Provides an overview of the commitments of foster parenting and the steps to take to become licensed and qualified.
Foster Care Licensing
Grandfamilies State Law and Policy Resource Center
Provides summaries and links to more than 67 State citations on relative foster home licensing. It also includes a resource that provides information on licensing standards for family foster parents, Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (PDF - 2,918 KB).
National Foster Care & Adoption Directory Search
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Provides contact information for programs related to foster care and adoption organized by State.
State Adoption and Foster Care Information
AdoptUSKids
Outlines information on getting licensed to foster or adopt by State, Territory, or Tribe.