HHS License, Certification, Tribal Affidavit Approval Documentation 622-05-10-10-03

(Revised 10/1/25 ML #3944)

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The CFS Licensing Unit will manage all foster care for children licensing, certification, or Tribal Affidavit approval requests to care for children in foster care. Each request to license an applicant must be approved or denied by the Department, each request is managed by the CFS Licensing Unit.

 

Initial Licensing:

1. CFS Licensing Unit: Licensing Specialists will staff the complete licensing packet with their supervisor. Once staffed, the Licensing Specialist has seven working days to make a final decision.
2. Authorized Agents: Must submit a complete licensing packet to the CFS Licensing Unit. Once received, the CFS Licensing Unit has seven working days to make a final decision.

Renewal Period:

1. CFS Licensing Unit: Licensing Specialists will initiate renewal paperwork 90 days prior to expiration and must submit staff the complete licensing renewal packet with their supervisor no less than 15 working days prior to expiration.
2. Authorized Agents: Shall initiate renewal paperwork 90 days prior to expiration and must submit a complete licensing renewal packet to the CFS Licensing Unit, no less than 15 working days prior to expiration. This will allow the CFS Licensing Unit time to make a final decision prior to expiration.

The CFS Licensing Unit must consider if the applicant has been involved in court action in which a child in their household is currently or within the last five years has been removed from the home due to contrary to the welfare judicial findings. Applicants and currently licensed providers are prohibited from providing foster care to children if their own children are placed in foster care. N.D.C.C. 50-11-07

 

The CFS Licensing Unit, upon approval of the applicant, will issue a license, certification or Tribal Affidavit approval indicating the foster care provider(s) name, provider number, bed capacity, gender and ages 0 through 20 of children served. Child age preferences can be listed, if applicable. The effective dates of the license, certificate or Tribal Affidavit approval must be present. In addition, the ND seal and signature of a CFS Licensing Unit representative and HHS Commissioner must be present.

 

Additional Initial Licensure Considerations:

• Relative Waiver: An Identified relative can choose to apply as a licensed relative and follow the process required for relative licensing. If additional licensing standards require a waiver, this will be managed on a case-by-case basis and updated on SFN 844.

• Initial Denial: If a licensure, certification or Tribal Affidavit approval is denied, the Licensing Specialist assigned to the provider will issue a letter detailing the reasons for a denial to the applicant(s).

Further information on provisional status, denial or revocation can be found in 622-05-55-05-30.