Child care background studies

An enhanced background study process is used for individuals in these settings:

• Licensed child care centers
• Applicants and currently licensed family child care programs
• Legal nonlicensed providers that are registered to receive funding through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
• License-exempt centers that are registered to receive funding through CCAP (these providers are classified as certified license-exempt centers in state law).

Enhanced background studies include searches of these databases: 

• State criminal and sex offender registries 
• State child abuse and neglect registry 
• Out-of-state criminal, sex offender, and child abuse and neglect registries (if applicable) 
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) 
• National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) 
• FBI criminal history

For answers to frequently asked questions, refer to information about enhanced background studies.

Different child care provider types have somewhat different processes and requirements. These guideline documents are intended to help providers determine which individuals need a background study:

• Child Care Centers Background Study Worksheet: Is a background study required? DHS-7733A (PDF)
• Family Child Care Background Study Worksheet: Is a background study required? DHS-7733 (PDF) 
• Certified Child Care Centers Background Study Worksheet: Is a background study required?  DHS-7733B (PDF)

A minor (ages 13-17) who is an employee, a contractor, someone who supervises children in care, or who currently lives or has lived outside of Minnesota anytime in the last five years must have a background study that also includes a fingerprint search of criminal history records held by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and a fingerprint search of FBI criminal history records.

All minors ages 13 to 17 must have a background study that includes a name-based search of criminal history records held by the BCA plus a search of the following databases: 

• A name-based search of Minnesota's predatory offender registry
• A name-based search of Minnesota's child abuse and neglect registry
• A name-based out-of-state search of the child abuse and neglect registry for every state where the individual resided during the past five years 
• The Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS); or
• The Minnesota Social Service Information System (SSIS). 
  

If there is reasonable cause, as defined in state law, a fingerprint-based search of state and federal criminal records must be conducted. Individuals 10 to 12 years of age who live in the household where the licensed services will be provided will be required to have a fingerprint-based FBI background study when the commissioner has reasonable cause as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245C.

• State and federal laws require background study subjects to be fingerprinted and photographed.
• Study subjects will need to complete IDEMIA's online pre-enrollment process and schedule the fingerprint and photo appointment at an IDEMIA - IdentoGO enrollment center. 
• IDEMIA - IdentoGO enrollment centers are located throughout the state.
• The cost for fingerprinting and photography is $10.50. The fee is paid directly to IDEMIA.
• An acceptable form of identification is required.
• The fingerprint and photo process should take about five-to-10 minutes and is completed by a trained technician. 
• Fingerprint images are transmitted through a secure system to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and in some cases when required by law, the fingerprints are also transmitted securely to the FBI for a criminal record search. 
• Criminal history results are sent to DHS.
• For details on the fingerprint and photo process view the FAQs about IDEMIA.

To protect children, additional database checks, photos and fingerprints are required for people who work in child care. Federal and state laws require an enhanced child care study every five years. For further information, visit enhanced background studies.

Individuals affiliated with a licensed or certified child care center must complete an enhanced background study every five years. To comply with this requirement, new studies must be submitted, and should be initiated no more than 90 calendar days before the study's expiration date. Further details about the renewal process are available.