How to Become Licensed

Licensing Requirements

Potential foster and adoptive parents go through a similar process to be licensed and approved. Minnesota requires foster parents to meet licensing prior to placement. Le Sueur County may place a child with a relative who is not licensed at the time of placement as long as the relative promptly completes the licensing process and meets the required standards.

Step 1: Make a Call

After reviewing the information here, the next step is to make a call to Le Sueur County at 507-357-8288 and ask to speak with a foster care licensor to set up an in-person meeting to discuss your interest and any questions. If after talking with a foster care licensor you decide you would like to proceed with the licensing process, then you can request an application packet.

Step 2: Complete the Application & Fact Sheet

Complete all the documents in the application packet and return them to Le Sueur County Foster Care Licensing. When the documents are returned to the agency, a Licensing Worker will be assigned to work with you through the licensing process.

Step 3: Initiate a Background Study

Le Sueur County will assist you to get fingerprints and a photo for the individuals in your home who are age 13 and over for the background study. Background studies are conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Service. These background checks include social services, juvenile and adult court records.

Step 4: Open Home for Visit & Study

A licensing social worker will schedule a series of interviews with you and your family members to walk through and explain the licensing process.

Step 5: Participate in Training

A licensing social worker will inform you of the required training to obtain your license and any recommended training. For Child Foster Care, you may be asked to attend several additional training sessions, depending on your parenting experience and to develop an understanding of the Child Welfare System.

Step 6: Receive Foster Care License

The foster care licensing process currently takes about 4 to 6 months, depending on your schedule. Once all the licensing requirements are met, your Licensing Worker will recommend you for foster care licensure to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

For More Information

For more information, please contact our office at 507-357-8288 and ask to speak with our Foster Care licensor.