Cabinet Secretary
Laurie R. Gill

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Child Care Provider Background Screening

All registered and licensed child care providers as well as informal and in-home providers receiving Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) funds are required by Federal law (45 C.F.R. 98.43) to complete in-state and out-of-state screenings. The following in-state background screenings are required:

  • SD criminal registry - fingerprints are required to complete this process;
  • SD sex offender registry - SD will complete this check once screenings are submitted for processing;
  • SD child registry for abuse and neglect - a specific form is required for this process;
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) - SD will complete this check once screenings are submitted for processing; and
  • National criminal record check (FBI) - fingerprints are required to complete this process.

The following out-of-state background screenings are required:

  • state central registry of child abuse and neglect check;
  • state criminal background check; and
  • state sex offender registry check.

Screenings for family daycare providers and informal and in-home providers will be completed through the assistance of each regional licensing specialist located throughout the State. Each licensed child care program that holds a license to operate a group family daycare, day care center or before and after school program will be required to complete the steps listed under: SD Child Care Programs: In-State background Screening Requirements and SD Child Care Programs: Out-of-State background Screening Requirements below.

Providers are required to submit all paperwork including any other required documentation to:
Office of Licensing and Accreditation
910 E Sioux Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

Providers do not need to submit payment if there is a fee indicated. The DSS will pay any fees required. Results from the in-state and out-of-state screening process will be mailed to providers in the form of a letter once completed.

Background Screening FAQ

Circumstances That Prohibit Providing Care to Children

An individual is prohibited from providing care if the results of the background check include:

In addition, a person is ineligible to provide care if they:

  • Knowingly make false statements in connection with this background check;
  • Are registered, or required to be registered, on a Sex Offender Registry; or
  • Refuse to consent to the background check.

SD Child Care Programs:  In-State Background Screening Requirements

Step One: Complete the Permission to Screen for Reports of Abuse and Neglect form

Step Two: Complete the fingerprint process for DCI and FBI. Fingerprint cards can be obtained from your local licensing specialist. If you do not have the ability to complete fingerprints on your own, the fingerprinting process can be completed by contacting your local licensing specialist.

Step Three: Complete the Child Care Declaration of Prior Criminal Conviction and Military History form 

Step Four: Complete the Background Screening Cover Sheet showing all names of individuals requesting screening.

Step Five: Submit all documents to:
Office of Licensing and Accreditation
910 E Sioux Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

Note: It is suggested that providers make a copy of these documents and note the date sent. Results from the in-state screening process will be emailed to the provider once completed.

Information for Out-of-State Child Care Providers

South Dakota is not a National Fingerprint File (NFF) or a National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact state.

Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect:
Complete the Permission to Screen for Reports of Abuse and Neglect form and submit to DSSCRS@state.sd.us

Contact Information:
Child Protection Services
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3227
Website  

Note: All Central Registry screening results will be returned to the individual who is being screened. The individual may share the screening result with a potential employer. A cleared screened will be documented with a stamp, date of clearance, and state representative signature on the form submitted. A screening takes an average of 5-7 business days from date of receipt to be returned.

Criminal Records Check
Refer to the South Dakota Criminal Investigation website for complete instructions on obtaining a criminal record check.  Note, you will need to submit fingerprints, include a check or money order for $26.75 and signed authorization.

Contact Information:
Office of the Attorney General
1302 E Hwy 14, Suite 1
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3215 | Fax 605.773.4106
TTY: 605.773.6585 (For the Hearing Impaired)
Website

State Sex Offender Registry Check
The South Dakota Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. The website offers several methods to which individuals can search the registry.

Contact Information:
South Dakota Department of Corrections
3200 E Hwy 34
c/o 500 East Capital Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3478 | Fax 605.773.6810
Website | FAQ

The National Sex Offender Public website allows you to search sex offender registries for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Indian Country.

SD Child Care Programs: Out-of-State Background Screening Requirements

Screenings for family day care providers and informal and in-home providers will be completed through the assistance of each regional licensing specialist located throughout the State. Each child welfare agency that holds a license to operate a group family daycare, day care center, or before and after school program will be required to complete the following steps:

Step One:  If child care provider, employee, or potential employee has lived OUTSIDE of the State of South Dakota in the past five years, please download the Program Cover letter and complete it for all appropriate individuals.  This form is to be completed and submitted even if there are no additional forms required due to a National Fingerprint File (NFF) or closed state. An out-of-state sex offender registry check will still be completed. Please note: this form can ONLY be used for out-of-state child care background screenings. 

Step Two:  For everyone listed on the form in step one, download the appropriate out-of-state background screening forms (central registry and criminal record check) using the links under the heading below.  Individuals must complete the forms, any other documentation required; sign in needed; and submit back to the child care program.  Some forms require the signature to be notarized. 

The SD Child Care Licensing Office will complete the out-of-state sex offender registry check.

Step Three: Submit the cover sheet from step one and all completed forms from step two to the following address:
Office of Licensing and Accreditation
910 E Sioux Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

Out-of-State Background Screening Forms from Other States

The following documents, arranged by State, are for use by South Dakota child care providers when submitting forms for their staff out of state central registry and criminal record background checks.


  Central Registry Criminal Record Check
Alabama Form Form
Alaska Form Form
Arizona Form Form
Arkansas Form Form
California Form Form
Colorado Form Form
Connecticut Form Form
Delaware Form Form
Florida Form Form
Georgia Form Form
Hawaii Form Form
Idaho Form Form
Illinois Form Form
Indiana Form Form
Iowa Form Form
Kansas Form Form
Kentucky Form Form
Louisiana Form Form
Maine Form Form
Maryland Form Form
Massachusetts Form Form
Michigan Form Form
Minnesota Form Form
Mississippi Form Form
Missouri Form Form
Montana Form Form
Nebraska Form Form
Nevada Form Form
New Hampshire Form Form
New Jersey Form Form
New Mexico Form Form
New York Form Form
North Carolina Form Form
North Dakota Form Form
Ohio Form Form
Oklahoma Form Form
Oregon Form Form
Pennsylvania Form Form
Rhode Island Form Form
South Carolina Form Form
Tennessee Form Form
Texas Form Form
Utah Form Form
Vermont Form Form
Virginia Form Form
Washington Form Form
Washington DC Form Form
West Virginia Form Form
Wisconsin Form Form
Wyoming Form Form