Background Checks & Requirements

Every person working at a child care center, a registered or licensed faith-based center, license-exempt program receiving CCDF funding or living in a group or family child care home must have a satisfactory background check determination in accordance with the Child Care Licensing Laws and Regulations before they may work or reside at the location or be present with unsupervised access to children in care. See the Regulations for Child Care Centers, Regulations for Faith-based Centers, Group Child Care Homes and or Family Child Care Homes orChild Care Licensing Law Childcare-facilites-002-.pdf (scchildcare.org) complete information about who needs a background check.

Fingerprint-based background check

Every employee must have a satisfactory fingerprint-based background check determination letter at their employer’s child care facility. Employees who are waiting for out-of-state records but have already been fingerprinted will receive a satisfactory Determination Letter and may work under the direct and continuous supervision of a director or employee with a satisfactory Comprehensive Background Check Determination as stated in the Determination Letter.

  • A new comprehensive background check is required every five years or for anyone who has had a lapse of employment in the child care industry for six months or longer.

Abuse and neglect check

Every employee must have an abuse and neglect check of the SC Abuse and Neglect Central Registry and Database before they may work or reside at the location or be present with unsupervised access to children in care. Employees who are waiting for out-of-state records will receive a pending approval letter and may work under the direct and continuous supervision of a director or employee with a cleared abuse and neglect check Determination Letter.

Sex Offender check

Every employee must have a Sex Offender check with the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) before they may work or reside at the location or be present with unsupervised access to children in care. This will include a check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Check as well as an out of state check if they lived in another state in the past 5 years.