On 22 April 2016, Croatian Football Federation announced that the first stage of licensing procedure for 2016–17 season was completed. For the 2016–17 Druga HNL, only eight clubs outside of top level were issued a second level license:
Dugopolje,
Dinamo II,
Gorica,
Imotski,
Lučko,
Rijeka II,
Sesvete and
Solin. In the second stage of licensing procedure clubs that were not licensed in the first round appealed the decision. On 23 May 2016, all remaining Druga HNL were granted second division license, along with third-level clubs
Novigrad and
Vinogradar.
Stadia and locations Number of teams by county ==League table==