A "child care facility" in Florida provides child care for more than how many children unrelated to the operator?Florida Statutes, section 402.302(2)
A Class II violation results in serious harm to a child. How is it treated?Florida Administrative Code, Rule 65C-22.010(1)(e)1, Enforcement
A Class III violation is the same noncompliance occurring at least three times within what period?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(1)(c)3
A facility is cited and disciplined for a violation. How long does the citation stay posted with the license?Florida Statutes, section 402.3125(1)(b)2
A licensed facility refuses to let the licensing agency in to inspect. What must the agency obtain first?Florida Statutes, section 402.311(1)
A provisional license may not be issued for a period longer than what?Florida Statutes, section 402.309(4)
A renewal application is due at least how many days before the current license expires?Florida Administrative Code, Rule 65C-22.010(2)(c), Enforcement
A violation could cause death or serious harm. What is the highest fine per violation, per day?Florida Statutes, section 402.310(1)(a)1
Before ownership of a child care facility is transferred, how far ahead must the seller notify each child's parent?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(17)(a)
Show all 142 questions (133 more)
Licenses, inspections and penalties, continued
Can a probation-status license be renewed?Florida Statutes, section 402.310(1)(a)2
The Department's license fee is $1 per child of licensed capacity. What is the maximum fee per facility?Florida Statutes, section 402.315(3)(a)
Florida law defines "child care" as care, protection and supervision of a child for a period of less than how long?Florida Statutes, section 402.302(1)
Florida law says evening child care may cover which hours?Florida Statutes, section 402.302(7)
How often must a Florida child care facility license be renewed?Florida Statutes, section 402.308(1)
In drop-in child care, a child may be in care for no more than how long while the parent stays on the premises?Florida Statutes, section 402.302(6)
In Florida's enforcement rule, which class of violation is the most serious?Florida Administrative Code, Rule 65C-22.010(1)(e)1, Enforcement
Knowingly operating a child care facility without a license is what kind of offense?Florida Statutes, section 402.319(1)(b)
What does the rule require for a third violation of a Class I standard?Florida Administrative Code, Rule 65C-22.010(2)(d)1.b, Enforcement
What is the fine for the second violation of the same Class II standard?Florida Administrative Code, Rule 65C-22.010(2)(d)2.a, Enforcement
What is the most the Department may fine for an ordinary violation, per violation, per day?Florida Statutes, section 402.310(1)(a)1
What must every advertisement for a Florida child care facility include?Florida Statutes, section 402.318
Where must a child care facility keep the license it receives?Florida Statutes, section 402.3125(1)(a)
Which county has its own local licensing authority for child care in place of the Department?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1, Introduction
Which program is left out of the legal definition of a "child care facility" in Florida?Florida Statutes, section 402.302(2)(c)
Who must confirm with the county or city zoning authority that a property may be used for child care?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.1, License Application Process or Renewal
Staff age, screening, training and credentials 29
A facility has 45 children in daily attendance. How many credentialed personnel does it need?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.6.1, Calculating Number of Credentialed Personnel Necessary
A facility is in the operator's home. What screening applies to household members aged 12 to 17?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 5.1, Initial Screening
A facility loses its credentialed director. How soon must the owner notify the licensing authority?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.7, Director Credential
A job application for child care work asks about past license actions at facilities where the applicant worked. How does the applicant answer?Florida Statutes, section 402.3055(1)(b)
A licensed facility needs one credentialed staff member for every how many children?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.6, Staff Credentials
A staff member leaves the child care industry and returns. A break longer than how many days requires re-screening?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 5.2, Re-Screening
A volunteer must meet the training requirement when working how many hours per month?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.1, Beginning Training
After a new hire receives an eligible result, how soon must the employer add the person to its Clearinghouse roster?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 5.1, Initial Screening
After the introductory training, how much in-service training is required each year?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Annual In-Service Training
An employee under what age must be under direct supervision and cannot be counted in the staff-to-child ratio?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(2)(c)
The early literacy course required of child care personnel is at least how long?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Early Literacy Training
From which course is there no educational exemption?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.4.2, Educational Exemptions
The handbook defines a "weighted score" as what?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1.2, Definitions
How long does "provisional hire" status last while out-of-state records are awaited?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 5.1, Initial Screening
How long does a Director Credential stay active?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.7, Director Credential
How long is a background screening valid before a re-screen is due?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 5.2, Re-Screening
How many attempts must an employer make to obtain an applicant's employment history?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 5.1, Initial Screening
How many hours of contact training equal one continuing education unit (CEU)?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1.2, Definitions
How many hours of introductory child care training must child care personnel complete?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Training Requirements
How much of the facility's operating time must the credentialed director be on site?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.7, Director Credential
How old must the person in charge of a child care program be?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.2, Minimum Age Requirements
How soon after hire must staff be trained to use a fire extinguisher at the facility?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Fire Extinguisher Training
How soon after starting work in the child care industry must new personnel begin training?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.1, Beginning Training
To count toward the credential requirement, a credentialed staff member must work at the facility at least how long?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.6.1, Calculating Number of Credentialed Personnel Necessary
What is the only acceptable proof that a staff member completed the Department's training?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.5, Documentation of Training
What level of background screening must all child care personnel have?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 5.1, Initial Screening
What result passes a Department competency examination?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Training Requirements
Which staff are "other personnel" who need no child care training unless they fill in with the children?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4, Training
The yearly in-service training period runs between which dates?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Annual In-Service Training
Ratios and supervision 16
A group holds only children aged 2 and older, of mixed ages. Which age group sets the ratio?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(4)(a)7
A mixed-age group has no infants but includes one-year-olds. What is the most children one staff member may have?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.3.1, Mixed Age Groups
A mixed-age group includes a child under one year old. One staff member may be responsible for at most how many children?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.3.1, Mixed Age Groups
Do foster grandparents count toward the ratio of staff to children?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1.2, Definitions
During nap time, where must the staff member supervising the napping children be?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.4.2, Nap time Supervision
How does the handbook define "direct supervision"?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1.2, Definitions
On a field trip, how many adults are needed beyond the staff required by the ratio?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.4.1, General Supervision Requirements
The relaxed nap time supervision rule does not apply to children up to what age?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.4.2, Nap time Supervision
Someone on the parent's written pick-up list arrives for a child. How does the program verify the person?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.4.1, General Supervision Requirements
What does the handbook require of staff during evening child care hours?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.4.3, Evening Supervision
What is the ratio for children 1 year old but under 2?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(4)(a)2
What is the ratio for children 2 years old but under 3?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(4)(a)3
What is the ratio for children 3 years old but under 4?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(4)(a)4
What is the ratio for children 4 years old but under 5?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(4)(a)5
What is the ratio for children 5 years of age or older?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(4)(a)6
What is the staff-to-child ratio for children from birth through 1 year of age?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(4)(a)1
Transportation and field trips 13
After the driver sweeps the vehicle at the destination, what must happen next?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.2, Transportation Log
After the ignition is turned off, the vehicle alarm must sound within what time?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.4, Vehicle Requirements
From what age must a child in a child care vehicle be in a seat belt?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.5, Seat Belt/Child Restraints
How far ahead must the date, time and place of a field trip be posted?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.7, Field Trip Activities
How must a child under one year old be secured in a child care vehicle?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.5, Seat Belt/Child Restraints
How often must a mechanic inspect vehicles regularly used to transport children?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.4, Vehicle Requirements
How often must the driver of a child care vehicle have a physical examination granting approval to drive?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.1, Driver Requirements
May the driver be counted toward the ratio of staff to children during transport?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.4, Vehicle Requirements
The vehicle alarm that prompts the driver to check for children must be audible from what distance?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.4, Vehicle Requirements
What limits how many people may ride in a child care vehicle?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5.4, Vehicle Requirements
What must a facility have from the Department before it transports children?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.5, Transportation
What must staff have with them on every field trip, walking trips included?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.7, Field Trip Activities
When does a field trip begin under the handbook's definition?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1.2, Definitions
Activities, discipline and child safety 14
A child misbehaves before outdoor play. What does the handbook allow?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.8, Child Discipline
A music teacher is paid by parents to teach certain children during the day. What must the parent give first?Florida Statutes, section 402.3054(2)
A staff member fails to report suspected abuse as a mandatory reporter. How does the handbook treat that?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 8.2, Child Safety
For children 2 and older, electronic media is limited to how much time?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.6, Planned Activities
How long may an infant be left in a swing or bouncer at one time?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.6, Planned Activities
How often must the plan of activities include outdoor active play, weather permitting?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.6, Planned Activities
May a child be placed in a crib for a time-out?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.8, Child Discipline
Under the statute, discipline may not be associated with which three things?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(12)(a)2
What access to the facility must a custodial parent be given?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 8.1, Access
What does Florida law say about spanking in a child care facility?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(12)(a)3
What does the handbook say about electronic media for children under two?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.6, Planned Activities
What must every child care facility submit each year about the abuse reporting law?Florida Statutes, section 402.319(3)
When must parents be told in writing about the facility's disciplinary practices?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(12)(b)
Where must each group's written plan of scheduled activities be kept?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 2.6, Planned Activities
Space, capacity and play areas 16
A classroom for children aged 3 and older is set off by barriers, not full walls. How tall must the barriers be?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1.2, Definitions
A facility first licensed after October 1, 1992 needs how much usable indoor floor space per child?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(6)(b)
A facility serving up to fifteen children needs one toilet and one sink. What is added after that?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.7, Restrooms and Bath Facilities
A facility that held a valid license on October 1, 1992 and stayed at that site needs how much indoor floor space per child?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(6)(a)
A licensed urban facility has no outdoor play space. What does the handbook have it provide?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.4.4, Outdoor Square Footage
During arrival and departure, the square footage rule is suspended for no more than how long?Florida Statutes, section 402.305(15)
Gaps or openings in the play area fence may be no larger than what?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.5, Outdoor Play Area
How many exits must a fenced outdoor play area have?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.5, Outdoor Play Area
How much usable outdoor play area is required for each child aged one year or older?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.4.4, Outdoor Square Footage
Licensed capacity depends on floor space, outdoor space, sewer capacity and toilets. Which factor decides it?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.4.1, Licensed Capacity
The outdoor play area must be able to hold at least what share of the licensed capacity?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.4.4, Outdoor Square Footage
What inside temperature must a child care facility keep at all times?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.3.3, Temperature and Ventilation
What is the minimum height of the fence or wall around the outdoor play area?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.5, Outdoor Play Area
What is the minimum lighting required in all areas of the facility?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.3.1, Lighting
Where must the capacity calculated by the licensing authority be posted?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.4.1, Licensed Capacity
Which space counts as usable indoor floor space?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.4.2, Indoor Square Footage/Usable Floor Space
Fire, health and safety rules 17
A bathroom must not open directly into which area?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.7, Restrooms and Bath Facilities
A caterer delivers the facility's meals. What must the facility keep about the caterer?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 1.2, Definitions
A facility cares only for diapered infants. What bathroom fixtures does it need for every 30 infants?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.7, Restrooms and Bath Facilities
A facility runs a generator as an alternate power source. When must it also have a carbon monoxide detector?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.8.5, Emergency Preparedness
A safe-school officer is dismissed for misconduct. How soon must the facility notify the county sheriff and the Office of Safe Schools?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.2.2, Safe-School Officers
Before staff give medication to children, what must be in their personnel file?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 6.5, Medication
Besides being near rooms used by children, where must a fire extinguisher be present?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.8.2, Fire Safety
Do potty chairs count toward the required number of toilets?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.7, Restrooms and Bath Facilities
How often must a facility receive a fire inspection by a certified fire inspector?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.8, Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness
May a cell phone be the facility's one required operable telephone?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.8.1, Operable Phone
May a safe-school officer be counted toward the ratio of staff to children?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.2.2, Safe-School Officers
What must at least one staff member on every field trip hold?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
What must be available for review about any animal kept at the facility?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.1, General Health and Safety Requirements
What must the written emergency preparedness plan say about parents and guardians?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.8.5, Emergency Preparedness
When must a building have screens on its windows and doors?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.3.2, Windows and Screens
When must staff who take part in transporting children complete transportation training?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Transportation Training
Who may carry a firearm on the premises of a child care facility?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 3.2.1, Toxic Substances and Hazardous Materials
Records and enrollment 12
A child withdraws from the facility. What happens to the child's immunization and health records?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.1, Immunization Records
A parent has not provided the immunization form. After how long may the child no longer remain in the program?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.1, Immunization Records
A school-aged child attends public school and comes to the facility after school. Which records need not be on file at the facility?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.1, Immunization Records
Are electronic records acceptable to the licensing authority?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7, Record Keeping
Besides the current year's in-service training record, how many earlier years must the facility keep?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 4.2, Annual In-Service Training
How long is a Student Health Examination valid?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.2, Student Health Records
How long must attendance records be kept?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.5, Daily Attendance
What is the name of the Department brochure that parents sign for at enrollment?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.3, Enrollment Information
What must be on file before a volunteer begins at a child care facility?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.4, Personnel Records
What must the daily attendance record show for each child?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.5, Daily Attendance
When must the operator obtain a child's enrollment information?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.3, Enrollment Information
Which form documents a child's immunizations?Child Care Facility Handbook (Florida Department of Children and Families, December 2025), section 7.1, Immunization Records
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the topics marked for the Florida Department of Children and Families course Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations in Table 5 of the training review prepared for the Department, dated June 28, 2023 and posted on its website (https://www.myflfamilies.com/documents/57961.pdf). The exam format is on the Department's page Scheduling Your Child Care Training Competency Exams (https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/child-family/child-care/competency-exams-schedule): multiple choice, 45 minutes, with no published count of questions or topic weights. Every fact was read on October 8, 2026 in the Child Care Facility Handbook of December 2025 (https://www.myflfamilies.com/documents/64981.pdf), in Florida Statutes sections 402.302 to 402.319 (leg.state.fl.us) or in Rule 65C-22.010, F.A.C. (flrules.org), and each question names its section. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site, written from Florida statutes, rules and the handbook the rule adopts, which are public law.
How it works
This DCF rules and regulations practice test is unofficial and not affiliated with the Florida Department of Children and Families. Every answer was checked on October 8, 2026 against Florida statute, Rule 65C-22.010 or the December 2025 Facility Handbook.
Read the full guide
What the exam covers
A 2023 review of the Department's training, posted on its website, marks what the course Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations covers: licensing and enforcement, screening, training and credentials, ratios and supervision, transportation, discipline, records, and the facility's safety rules. The eight topics here follow that review.
The staff-to-child ratios
Section 402.305(4) sets one staff member for 4 infants, 6 one-year-olds, 11 two-year-olds, 15 three-year-olds, 20 four-year-olds and 25 children aged five and up.
What is left out
Food, sleep and illness rules are asked in depth on the Health, Safety and Nutrition test; this page keeps a short set on fire, bathroom and safety rules. Family child care homes are left out: they have their own rules course and their own handbook.
A provisional license can be renewed once, for up to 6 months; a probation-status license lasts 6 months at most and cannot be renewed.
Class I is the most serious violation class, and a Class II violation that seriously harms a child becomes Class I.
Most records in the handbook are kept 12 months; in-service training records go back two fiscal years.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the DCF rules and regulations exam?
The Department does not publish a count. Its exam page, read October 8, 2026, says each exam is multiple choice, in English or Spanish, with 45 minutes allowed. Exam mode here asks 40 of our questions in 45 minutes.
What score do you need to pass a DCF competency exam?
A weighted score of 70 or better, by section 4.2 of the Child Care Facility Handbook. The handbook defines a weighted score as a scaled score, not a percentage, so this page shows your score and no pass verdict.
Is this rules and regulations DCF practice test the real exam?
No. The Department's exam FAQ says exam questions are kept confidential. These are our own questions, written from the statutes, the enforcement rule and the handbook, and none is copied or reworded from the exam or a course guide.
Can you take the DCF exam without taking the course?
Once per course. The Department's exam page gives one chance to pass a competency exam before attending the course. After a failed exemption exam, you complete the course before registering for that exam again.
How much does a DCF competency exam cost?
The Department's exam page gives $1.00 per course instructional hour, paid at registration, and lists this course at 6 hours. Check the current fee in your Child Care Training account before you register.