TEXAS CHILD CARE ADMINISTRATOR LICENSING
(CCAL) EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Licensing and Regulatory Framework
Minimum Standards for Child-Care Operations
Child-Care Administrator Qualifications and Licensure
Health, Safety, and Sanitation Requirements
Staff Qualifications, Training, and Ratios
Child Abuse Reporting and Background Checks
Operational Management and Record-Keeping
Emergency Preparedness and Incident Reporting
Enforcement, Violations, and Due Process
Ethical and Professional Responsibilities
Introduction
The Texas Child Care Administrator Licensing Exam assesses knowledge required to supervise and
manage general residential operations and child-care facilities in compliance with Texas law. This
examination evaluates understanding of Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42, Texas Administrative
Code Chapter 745, Minimum Standards, licensing requirements, staff qualifications, health and safety
regulations, and administrative responsibilities. Questions are structured in multiple-choice and scenario-
based formats emphasizing real-world application, regulatory compliance, and critical decision-making.
Candidates must demonstrate competency in operational oversight, child protection, and adherence to
state licensing standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Under Texas Human Resources Code §42.001, what is the primary purpose of child-care licensing?
A. To maximize operational profits for child-care facilities
B. To standardize educational curricula across all programs
C. To protect the health, safety, and well-being of children in care
D. To reduce regulatory burden on child-care providers
C. To protect the health, safety, and well-being of children in care
, RATIONALE: The Texas Human Resources Code explicitly states that the purpose of child-care
licensing is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of children. All minimum standards and
regulations are grounded in this fundamental objective .
Question 2
Which Texas state agency is responsible for regulating child-care operations and child-placing agencies?
A. Texas Education Agency (TEA)
B. Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
C. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) – Child Care Regulation (CCR)
D. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
C. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) – Child Care Regulation (CCR)
RATIONALE: HHSC, through its Child Care Regulation (CCR) division, is responsible for licensing and
regulating child-care operations and child-placing agencies. CCR enforces Minimum Standards and
conducts inspections .
Question 3
A newly hired staff member is eager to start working with children. According to Texas Minimum
Standards, when must their background check be completed?
A. Within 30 days of their start date
B. Before the employee begins working with children
C. Within the first year of employment
D. Only if they request to work overtime
B. Before the employee begins working with children
RATIONALE: Texas law requires a cleared background check (including DFPS and FBI fingerprinting)
before any employee or volunteer has contact with children in care. This ensures child safety from the
first day .
Question 4
Which of the following types of care is EXEMPT from child-care licensing requirements under Texas law?
A. A facility caring for more than 6 children
B. A facility operated in connection with a business where children are cared for while parents remain
on premises
C. A registered family home providing care for up to 6 children
D. A licensed child-care center
B. A facility operated in connection with a business where children are cared for while parents
remain on premises
RATIONALE: Certain facilities are exempt, including those where parents remain on premises (e.g.,
hotels, health spas, shopping malls). Licensed or registered facilities are generally not exempt .
, Question 5
Under TAC §745.21, what is the definition of a "registered family home"?
A. A facility providing care for more than 12 children
B. A home that provides regular care in the caretaker's own residence for up to 6 children under 14
C. A facility providing 24-hour care for children in foster care
D. A home-based program that cares exclusively for school-age children
B. A home that provides regular care in the caretaker's own residence for up to 6 children under 14
RATIONALE: TAC §745.21 defines a registered family home as a home that provides regular care for
at least 4 hours per day for up to 6 children under 14, not including the caretaker's own children .
Question 6
An administrator must report a "significant incident" (e.g., serious injury, death, or hospitalization) to
Child Care Regulation within what timeframe?
A. Within 48 hours
B. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
C. Within 7 business days
D. By the end of the current operational week
B. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
RATIONALE: Texas Minimum Standards require that critical high-risk incidents, including death,
serious injury, emergency hospitalization, or allegations of abuse/neglect, be reported "immediately,
but no later than 24 hours" to Child Care Licensing .
Question 7
A "full Child-Care Administrator's License (CCAL)" is required to serve as the administrator of which type
of facility?
A. A licensed family home
B. A general residential operation (GRO)
C. A registered child-care home
D. A summer day camp
B. A general residential operation (GRO)
RATIONALE: A full CCAL is required for administrators of general residential operations (including
residential treatment centers). Family homes and registered homes may have different requirements .
Question 8
A center receives a "Notice of Violation" with a proposed civil penalty. How many days does the center
have to request an administrative hearing?
(CCAL) EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Licensing and Regulatory Framework
Minimum Standards for Child-Care Operations
Child-Care Administrator Qualifications and Licensure
Health, Safety, and Sanitation Requirements
Staff Qualifications, Training, and Ratios
Child Abuse Reporting and Background Checks
Operational Management and Record-Keeping
Emergency Preparedness and Incident Reporting
Enforcement, Violations, and Due Process
Ethical and Professional Responsibilities
Introduction
The Texas Child Care Administrator Licensing Exam assesses knowledge required to supervise and
manage general residential operations and child-care facilities in compliance with Texas law. This
examination evaluates understanding of Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42, Texas Administrative
Code Chapter 745, Minimum Standards, licensing requirements, staff qualifications, health and safety
regulations, and administrative responsibilities. Questions are structured in multiple-choice and scenario-
based formats emphasizing real-world application, regulatory compliance, and critical decision-making.
Candidates must demonstrate competency in operational oversight, child protection, and adherence to
state licensing standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Under Texas Human Resources Code §42.001, what is the primary purpose of child-care licensing?
A. To maximize operational profits for child-care facilities
B. To standardize educational curricula across all programs
C. To protect the health, safety, and well-being of children in care
D. To reduce regulatory burden on child-care providers
C. To protect the health, safety, and well-being of children in care
, RATIONALE: The Texas Human Resources Code explicitly states that the purpose of child-care
licensing is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of children. All minimum standards and
regulations are grounded in this fundamental objective .
Question 2
Which Texas state agency is responsible for regulating child-care operations and child-placing agencies?
A. Texas Education Agency (TEA)
B. Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
C. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) – Child Care Regulation (CCR)
D. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
C. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) – Child Care Regulation (CCR)
RATIONALE: HHSC, through its Child Care Regulation (CCR) division, is responsible for licensing and
regulating child-care operations and child-placing agencies. CCR enforces Minimum Standards and
conducts inspections .
Question 3
A newly hired staff member is eager to start working with children. According to Texas Minimum
Standards, when must their background check be completed?
A. Within 30 days of their start date
B. Before the employee begins working with children
C. Within the first year of employment
D. Only if they request to work overtime
B. Before the employee begins working with children
RATIONALE: Texas law requires a cleared background check (including DFPS and FBI fingerprinting)
before any employee or volunteer has contact with children in care. This ensures child safety from the
first day .
Question 4
Which of the following types of care is EXEMPT from child-care licensing requirements under Texas law?
A. A facility caring for more than 6 children
B. A facility operated in connection with a business where children are cared for while parents remain
on premises
C. A registered family home providing care for up to 6 children
D. A licensed child-care center
B. A facility operated in connection with a business where children are cared for while parents
remain on premises
RATIONALE: Certain facilities are exempt, including those where parents remain on premises (e.g.,
hotels, health spas, shopping malls). Licensed or registered facilities are generally not exempt .
, Question 5
Under TAC §745.21, what is the definition of a "registered family home"?
A. A facility providing care for more than 12 children
B. A home that provides regular care in the caretaker's own residence for up to 6 children under 14
C. A facility providing 24-hour care for children in foster care
D. A home-based program that cares exclusively for school-age children
B. A home that provides regular care in the caretaker's own residence for up to 6 children under 14
RATIONALE: TAC §745.21 defines a registered family home as a home that provides regular care for
at least 4 hours per day for up to 6 children under 14, not including the caretaker's own children .
Question 6
An administrator must report a "significant incident" (e.g., serious injury, death, or hospitalization) to
Child Care Regulation within what timeframe?
A. Within 48 hours
B. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
C. Within 7 business days
D. By the end of the current operational week
B. Immediately, but no later than 24 hours
RATIONALE: Texas Minimum Standards require that critical high-risk incidents, including death,
serious injury, emergency hospitalization, or allegations of abuse/neglect, be reported "immediately,
but no later than 24 hours" to Child Care Licensing .
Question 7
A "full Child-Care Administrator's License (CCAL)" is required to serve as the administrator of which type
of facility?
A. A licensed family home
B. A general residential operation (GRO)
C. A registered child-care home
D. A summer day camp
B. A general residential operation (GRO)
RATIONALE: A full CCAL is required for administrators of general residential operations (including
residential treatment centers). Family homes and registered homes may have different requirements .
Question 8
A center receives a "Notice of Violation" with a proposed civil penalty. How many days does the center
have to request an administrative hearing?
