California Code § 102359(a): License Number in Ads

📋Type B Violation🏢Affects: Family Child Care Homes

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

What Is California Code § 102359(a): License Number in Ads?

California Code § 102359(a)

Licensees shall reveal each facility license number in all advertisements, publications, or announcements made with the intent to attract clients.

💬What Providers Tell Us

Based on community experience — not official guidance

Every piece of advertising your facility puts out, whether it's a Facebook post, a flyer on a community board, a Yelp listing, or your website, must include your facility license number. Inspectors increasingly check online listings during desk audits. The write-up usually happens when a parent or competitor files a complaint and the inspector pulls up your social media or website. Put your license number in your Facebook 'About' section, your Google Business profile description, and your website footer. If you run paid ads, include it in the ad copy. It takes two minutes to add and saves you a citation.

facilities cited (last 90 days)

That's 1 in 100 facilities

counties affected

149

most common citation

📉

Decreasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

2 facilities (was 3)1 facility

Source: California CCLD inspection records | Data as of Mar 19, 2026. Updated weekly.

2 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days.

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What's Being Cited in Each Region Over the Past 90 Days

Based on facility inspection reports filed with California's Community Care Licensing Division, here's how this citation appears across different regions in the past 90 days.

Shasta County

1 citations

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Santa Clara County

1 citations

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Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 3/19/2026

A single Type A citation can cost $150–$500+ in civil penalties — not counting the follow-up inspection it triggers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the License Number in Advertisements Requirement?

California Code 102359(a) requires childcare licensees to include their facility license number in every advertisement, publication, or announcement intended to attract clients. This covers everything from your website and social media profiles to printed flyers and community board posts. It affects your facility because any public-facing content you create for marketing purposes, including Facebook posts, Google Business listings, and Yelp pages, must display your current license number.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 2 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 2 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 20,000 inspected facilities. Santa Clara and Shasta counties each had one facility cited. These citations often originate from complaints rather than routine inspections, since inspectors increasingly conduct desk audits of online listings and can check your advertising from their office.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors check your online presence during desk audits, pulling up your website, Facebook page, Google Business profile, and Yelp listing. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, they document any advertising platform missing your license number. Citations also get triggered when a parent or competitor files a complaint and the inspector verifies the claim online. They check printed materials found at your facility too: flyers, business cards, and enrollment packets all count as advertisements under this regulation.

How can I prevent this citation?

Audit every platform where your facility appears: website footer, Facebook 'About' section, Instagram bio, Google Business description, Yelp listing, and any directory profiles. Add your license number to all of them today. Put it on business cards and flyers before printing. When your license number changes after renewal or facility type change, update every platform within a week. Set a quarterly calendar reminder to verify all listings still display the correct number.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Add your license number to every advertising platform immediately. Screenshot each updated listing as proof of correction. Check platforms you may have missed: neighborhood Facebook groups, parent forums, paid ads, printed materials, and directory sites. If your license number recently changed, verify the correct number with your licensing analyst before updating. Submit your Plan of Correction with screenshots showing compliance across all platforms. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

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This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed childcare compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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