If God has been stirring something in your heart about foster care, the question that usually comes next is a practical one:
What does becoming a foster parent actually involve?
Here is the honest answer, from start to finish.
Becoming a licensed foster parent through Baptist Children’s Homes typically takes four to six months. The process includes:
- 30 hours of foster parent training
- At least three home visits
- Background checks and fingerprinting
- A fire inspection
- Required paperwork and interviews
- Review and approval by the state of North Carolina
It is not a fast process, and that is intentional. Children who have already experienced significant loss deserve homes that have been carefully and prayerfully prepared.
None of this is meant to intimidate you. Every family who walks this road has a licensing worker beside them throughout the process.
Download the Free Step-by-Step Foster Care Guide (PDF)
Get a printable version of everything below, along with our contact information. Keep it for yourself, share it with your spouse, or pass it along to a family you are supporting.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for anyone who wants to better understand the foster care licensing process, including:
- Families considering becoming foster parents
- Pastors walking alongside families in their churches
- Caseworkers helping families understand what comes next
- Friends or relatives supporting someone who feels called to foster
It explains each step in plain language, so please feel free to share it. That is what it is for.
First, an Honest Conversation About Reunification
Before anything else, we talk with every family about the primary goal of foster care. It may not be the goal you are expecting.
Reunification is always the first goal.
The purpose of foster care is to provide a safe, loving home for a child while their family works toward bringing them home. Adoption can sometimes come through foster care, but adoption is not the purpose of foster care.
We explain this clearly from the beginning because we never want to give a family false hope. If your heart is specifically set on adoption, foster care may not be the right path for your family. It is far better to understand that now than four months into the process.
That is not meant to discourage you. It is the beginning of an honest relationship, and honesty is essential to this work.
Considering adoption instead?
If adoption is where you sense God leading your family, it is worth exploring that process directly rather than entering foster care with the expectation that it will lead to adoption. Visit our adoption page for more information.
Step One: Application, References, and Your First Home Visit
Baptist Children’s Homes is a Christ-centered ministry, and our licensing process reflects that from the very first step.
What You Will Submit
Each family begins by completing the following:
- An application from both adults in the home
- One pastoral reference: We will ask about your faith and where you worship. One pastoral reference covers both applicants and must be received before you can be approved for training.
- Three personal references for each adult: Each applicant provides three individual references, separate from the pastoral reference.
Your First Home Visit
Once we receive your application and pastoral reference, your licensing worker will visit your home before training begins.
This is not an inspection designed to catch you doing something wrong. It allows us to identify anything that may need attention, such as:
- A water-related hazard
- A needed safety improvement
- A change to a child’s bedroom
- Another home requirement that must be completed before licensing
You will have time to address these things while completing the rest of the process.
The goal is to prevent surprises later.
Step Two: Training, Paperwork, and Getting to Know Your Family
Once you are approved for training, North Carolina requires you to complete 30 hours of foster parent training.
Through BCH, this training is divided into:
- Ten weekly sessions
- Three hours per session
- Classes held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Classes are typically hosted by a partner church that provides a meal before class and childcare during the session. We understand what a weeknight can look like for a busy family, and we want to make participation as manageable as possible.
What Happens During Training
While you are completing the training, we will also work through several other licensing requirements:
- Background checks and fingerprinting
- MARS training
- A fire inspection of your home
- A 16-page foster parent questionnaire for each parent
- Required documentation and paperwork
The foster parent questionnaire is more personal than its page count may suggest. It asks about your background, your family of origin, and how you respond to conflict and difficult seasons.
It is not a test. It helps us get to know you well enough to place a child in your home with genuine confidence.
Home Visits and Family Interviews
The licensing process also includes:
- At least three home visits, including the visit before training begins
- One office visit for interviews
- Conversations with everyone in your family, including your children
- Additional visits when needed, depending on your family’s circumstances
If that sounds like a lot of attention, it is. We would rather know your family well than know you quickly.
Step Three: Submission and State Review
Once your training, home visits, interviews, and paperwork are complete, your licensing worker will compile the information into a licensing document that is approximately 20 pages long.
Your worker will also gather the required supporting documentation and submit the full licensing packet to the state of North Carolina.
From there:
- The state has up to 30 business days to review your submission.
- If corrections or additional information are required, resubmission may add another 30 days to the process.
Then comes the part no one loves: waiting.
This can be a meaningful season for prayer, preparation, and getting a child’s bedroom ready.
How Long Does the Foster Care Licensing Process Really Take?
The full process usually takes four to six months, and a significant part of that timeline is in your hands.
Your licensing worker will move as quickly as you are prepared to move. Some families submit every form by the final night of training. Others need more time, and that is completely okay.
There is no penalty for moving at the pace your family genuinely needs.
This is not a race. It is preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a foster parent in North Carolina?
It typically takes about four to six months from submitting your application to receiving state approval. The timeline depends partly on how quickly your family completes training, paperwork, inspections, and other requirements.
How many hours of foster parent training does North Carolina require?
North Carolina requires 30 hours of training. Through BCH, this is offered as ten weekly, three-hour classes. A host church will often provide a meal and childcare.
Do I have to be a church member to foster through BCH?
BCH is a Christ-centered ministry, and a pastoral reference is required as part of the application process. We will talk with you about your faith and church home during the licensing process.
Can I adopt a child I foster?
Sometimes foster care does lead to adoption, but adoption is never the primary goal of foster care. Reunification with the child’s family always comes first.
Families who feel specifically called to adopt should explore the adoption process directly.
How many home visits are required?
At least three home visits are required, including one before training begins. Additional visits may be scheduled depending on your family’s circumstances.
Do both parents have to complete foster parent training?
Yes. Both adults complete the application process, provide references, answer the foster parent questionnaire, and attend all 30 hours of training.
What is MARS training for foster parents?
MARS stands for Medication Administration in Residential Settings. This training helps foster parents learn how to administer medication safely to children in their care.
What happens after I become a licensed foster parent?
Your licensing worker remains connected with your family to provide ongoing guidance and support.
Licensing is the beginning of the relationship, not the end.
Take the First Step
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. You do not need a perfect home or a perfect family.
You simply need a willingness to begin the conversation.
Contact our foster care team to get started or register for an upcoming foster care information session.
Want a copy you can keep or share?
Download the Free Step-by-Step Foster Care Guide (PDF) to print, save, or send to someone else.
For Pastors and Caseworkers
If you are walking alongside a family that is considering foster care, please feel free to share this guide directly.
You are also welcome to link to it from:
- A church bulletin
- A ministry newsletter
- An email
- A resource page
- A conversation with a family exploring foster care
If you have questions about how your church can support foster children and families, we would love to hear from you.
