Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section and subject to subsection (c) of this section, on or after January 1, 2000, a person shall be licensed by the Administration before the person may operate a residential educational facility. This section does not apply: to a child care home that has a license under this subtitle or under § 9–235 of the Human Services Article; to a child care institution that has a license under this subtitle or under § 9–236 of the Human Services Article; or to an institution that accepts only children placed by the Maryland Department of Health or the Department of Juvenile Services. This section does not affect any requirement that a residential educational facility obtain a certificate of approval from the State Board of Education for its educational program.