The free checker

Which side of your state's line are you on?

Your stateWhere is the home?

Every state draws this line differently. Pick yours — the rules below it change completely.

The children

Your own children who will be in the home during care hours

Count the young ones — some states count your own children toward the line, each with its own age band (your state page gives the exact band). Most beginners miss this.

Children you watch (or plan to watch) who are not yours

From how many different families?

Two states — California and Florida — count families, not children. For them, this number IS the trigger.

Hours a dayDays a week

Every child I watch is related to me (nieces, nephews, grandchildren…)

Children under age 2 who will be in the home during care — including your own babies

Two states (Ohio and Virginia) have a separate tripwire for under-2s. Most states ration infants through ratios instead — your verdict shows which.

The arrangement

I am (or will be) paid — money, or regular in-kind payment

No payment — a favor or an unpaid arrangement

Your answers never leave this page — no account, no email, nothing stored.

How the verdict is decided

The checker asks for the facts your state's definition actually turns on — and it turns on different facts in different states:

The count. Most states draw the line at a number of children. Illinois counts your own children under 12 in that number; Pennsylvania lets you elect to exclude yours; California does not count heads at all.
The families. California and Florida trigger on the second unrelated family, at any head count. Five children from one family can be exempt; two children from two families can be a licensed activity.
The regularity. Texas reaches care that is regular — at least 4 hours a day, 3 or more days a week, for more than 3 consecutive weeks. Occasional babysitting sits outside.
The payment. Most definitions require compensation. The day a favor becomes paid — in money or regular in-kind support — the line can move under you.

Every verdict prints its deciding facts and its sources, with the rules checked date. If your facts change, run it again — the kit's Crossing-the-Line Calendar exists precisely because most violations are growth, not intent.

Read how each state file is verified →

Which side of your state's line are you on?

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How the verdict is decided