Background checks play an essential role in ensuring that children are safe in child care facilities.
People who work or live in Maryland child care facilities need to complete a comprehensive background check at least once every five years. Please use the following links for additional information regarding the required background clearances:
- Maryland Background Checks: https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml
- Fingerprinting Locations and Rates: https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml
- Child Protective Services: https://dhs.maryland.gov/child-protective-services/
The specific 8 components of the criminal background check are listed below:
- Criminal registry or repository using fingerprints in the current state of residency (in‐state);
- Sex offender registry or repository check in the current state of residency (in‐state);
- Child abuse and neglect registry and database check in the current state of residency (in‐state);
- FBI fingerprint check (national);
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) (national)
- Criminal registry or repository in any other state where the individual has resided in the past 5 years, with the use of fingerprints being optional (inter‐state)
- Sex offender registry or repository in any other state where the individual has resided in the past 5 years (inter‐state)
- Child abuse and neglect registry and database in any other state where the individual has resided in the past 5 years (inter‐state)
The federal law requires that providers complete all eight checks every five years. In some instances, Maryland regulation requires a shorter period, such as a child protective services clearance every two years. You must comply with the Maryland regulations in those instances.
How?
Maryland has had its own rap-back program in place for several years. When a triggering event, such as an arrest, occurs, we receive electronic notification from CJIS. We will get those notifications until the individual is removed from the authorization list.
The federal rap-back will work in the same way. If a triggering event occurs, the Office of Child Care will receive an electronic notification.
NONCRIMINAL JUSTICE APPLICANT’S PRIVACY RIGHTS
Understanding Background Check Results
"Successfully passed" means, when used in connection with a criminal background check or a review of records of abuse and neglect of children or adults conducted on an individual, that the individual:
- (a) Has not received a conviction, a probation before judgment disposition, or a not criminally responsible disposition, or does not have a pending charge for the commission or attempted commission of a crime that:
- (i) Is listed at COMAR 13A.15.02.07B(1)—(11); or
- (ii) Indicates other behavior harmful to children; or
- (b) Has not been identified as responsible for the abuse or neglect of a child or an adult.
Learn more about background check regulations here.
