Licensure Project

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has contracted with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) to develop the exams for both the Child Care Administrator License (you can find more information on eligibility here).

As you get started, please read this page in its entirety to help ensure each step is followed correctly so that your exam process progresses smoothly. Please know all time frames below are estimates. Please be patient as some times may be faster or slower due to various factors. If we estimate a response in approximately 10 business days, please do not email us on ‘Day 11’.

To register for your exam, complete the following steps:

Step 1

• All test takers must have completed an application and received an email approval from HHSC prior to registering thru UTA to take either exam.
• Your HHSC approval is valid for two years (the expiration date will be included in the HHSC email).
• You will have approval for three exam attempts within that time period.
• While some persons take time to study for the exam, it is strongly suggested that you do not wait past year one for your first attempt - as the exam registration/scheduling process itself can take 1-2 months.
• After you have applied to HHSC and received approval to move forward, you may proceed to Step 2 below.

Step 2

Once you have applied for and obtained approval from HHSC, please return to this page and register for either the Licensed Child Care Administrator (LCCA) Exam or Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator (LCPA) Exam via the School of Social Work's Marketplace page and pay the nonrefundable exam fee.

• Please be sure you register and pay for the correct exam - and select the correct ‘attempt’ choice.
  • If you fail the exam, you will need to return to this page and start the process again (including paying the nonrefundable fee).
• You will receive an automatic email receipt confirming your purchase.
  • Please be sure your email filters will allow automated emails from BOTH ‘lcca.lcpa@uta.edu’ and ‘survey@qp-mail.com’ - as we are unable to send individual email receipts.
• Each week, we batch the exam registrations and submit them back to HHSC.
• HHSC reviews each registration and ensures the candidate is still eligible.
• Our office will get the HHSC approval confirmations after approximately 10 business days.
• After we get the HHSC confirmations, you will receive an email confirmation from our office (lcca.lcpa@uta.edu) verifying your eligibility and instructions on how to register at one of our partner testing locations.
• You MUST have received this UTA email confirmation prior to scheduling a testing date/time.
  • If you schedule and pay to take your exam via one of the test sites prior to receiving the UTA confirmation email and need to reschedule, you may lose your test site fee and have to pay them again.
• Once you receive the UTA confirmation email, you may proceed to Step 3 below.
  • You will need to bring a copy of the UTA confirmation email (including your registration receipt), along with a government issued ID, to the testing site on the day of your exam.
  • You must take the exam on or before your HHSC registration expires (this date is contained in the original approval sent by HHSC).

Please read each of the NOTES below to help prepare for the exam:

Note: Reasonable Modification Request

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. If you have a disability and need a reasonable modification, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Please fill out a Reasonable Modification Request form, gather proper documentation that describes the nature of your disability and modifications you request, and submit both with your application. If you have already completed an application and need to make us aware of your need for accommodations prior to testing, please e-mail your completed forms to lcca.lcpa@uta.edu.

Note: To improve your performance and success, please follow the instructions and read each exam question carefully.

The demographic (background) questions that appear in the first section of each exam are used to improve the test and ensure its fairness for all test-takers. Your individual background information will not be reported to the Child Care Regulation Department of HHSC.

Following the demographic section, each exam question calls for a single answer to a multiple-choice question. Please answer each question to the best of your ability. If you are not sure of the answer, it is a good idea to pick the one you think is most likely correct. To ensure you do not miss responding to one by accident, you will get a reminder if you fail to answer all questions.

LCCA Exam - There are currently 70 questions on the exam. Your final score is a summation of all correct answers. You must get at least 70% correct; which is a score of no less than 49. Each correct answer counts as '1'.

LCPA Exam - There are currently 80 questions on the exam. Your final score is a summation of all correct answers. You must get at least 70% correct; which is a score of no less than 56. Each correct answer counts as '1'.

For each exam, in addition to the questions that 'count', there are also questions that are included but do not currently 'count'. It is typical in all types of standardized tests for questions to undergo periodic revision. As part of the process, certain questions on the exam are being validated for future use and they will not be counted for your exam.

There is a 3-hour time limit for each test. You may not consult any materials or other people while taking the test. Please follow the instructions of the test monitor carefully. If there is any problem with the testing situation, such as lighting or noise, please bring it to the attention of the test monitor. If there is any difficulty with the WEB link, the test monitor will be able to help you or request assistance from UTA. Good luck!

Note: The UTA SSW LCCA/LCPA Project does not create, sell or endorse any LCCA or LCPA exam study guide. The exams are 100% based on the following:

• LCCA - Texas Administrative Code, TITLE 26. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, PART 1. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION, CHAPTER 748. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR GENERAL RESIDENTIAL OPERATIONS
• LCPA - Texas Administrative Code, TITLE 26. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, PART 1. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION, CHAPTER 749. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CHILD-PLACING AGENCIES
  
   

Note: If you need to retake an exam, please follow the UTA exam registration link above, pay the fee again and select the appropriate attempt number from the drop-down menu (you do NOT need to go back to HHSC - you can re-register via UTA immediately). This will start the process over again. You must wait to get the new UTA (not HHSC) confirmation email before scheduling another attempt with a test site. Any subsequent attempts must also be completed before the two year approval time period (so please plan accordingly).

Note: If an applicant attempts to retake the test without going through the LCCA/LCPA Project testing registration/payment process again, their test score will not be valid (even if they sit for and pass the exam).

Step 3

Once you have received the UTA confirmation email (not from HHSC - and not your UTA payment receipt), you may schedule a time to take your exam at one of the following testing locations:

Step 4

Once you have completed Step 3 and scheduled your exam with the testing center, arrive at the testing center the day of your scheduled exam with a copy of your UTA email confirmation/registration receipt from Step 2 and your government issued ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.). You will have three hours to complete the online exam.

• To pass, you must get no less than 70% of the questions correct.
  • If you earn a passing score, you will receive your license from Austin in approximately 3 weeks. 
  • If you did not pass, you will have to register/pay to retake the exam when you are ready (see Step 2 above). 
• You will get your score immediately upon completion of the exam.
• A copy of your score will also be emailed to you (you will submit your preferred email address when taking the test).
  • It will come from ‘survey@qp-mail.com’ - so please make sure your email filters will accept it.
• Your score will also be emailed to the UT-Arlington School of Social Work's LCCA/LCPA Project Office. We will notify HHSC of your score in our weekly batch.
• Good luck!