Licensed foster care

To provide foster care, individuals must have a license from the Department of Human Services. Many aspects of adult foster care, child foster care and adoption are administered locally, at the county level.

For further information about becoming an adult foster care provider, please contact your county or tribal agency.
For further information about becoming a child foster care provider, visit the page steps to become a foster parent.

Roles, rules, definitions

Statutes and administrative rules
- 245A: Human Services Licensing statute.
- 245C: Human Services Background Studies statute.
- 245D: Home and Community-Based Services Standards statute.
- Rule 203: Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265 – Administration of Adult Foster Care Services and Licensure of Adult Foster Homes.
- Child Foster Care: Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0010 to 2960.3340
Fact sheets on foster care
- Foster care: Temporary out-of-home care for children DHS-4760 (PDF)

Licensing Lookup

Search for public information about licensed providers.

Visit DHS' licensing information database.

Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) certifications

Information about the FFPSA specialized settings license certifications and instructions for how to apply are on the Family First Prevention Services webpage.