Alabama Childcare Licensing
Alabama Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)
Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed Alabama childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. Alabama requires 8 distinct screening components.
Licensing Agency
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamAlabama Background Check Requirements: The Specifics
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Criminal History Background Information Check required for applicants, licensees, board members, center directors, staff, employees, volunteers, and applicants for employment/volunteer work (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)).
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: National FBI criminal history check with fingerprints (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(i)).
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: National Crime Information Center (NCIC) / National Sex Offender Registry check (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(ii)).
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: In-state (Alabama) criminal history check with fingerprints (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(iii)).
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: In-state (Alabama) sex offender registry check (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(iv)).
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Inter-state criminal history check and inter-state sex offender registry check if the individual has lived in another state within the past 5 years (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(v)-(vi)).
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Request for Clearance of the State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect via DHR-DFC Form 1598 for applicants, directors, and staff/employees/volunteers (660-5-26-.07(2)(b)).
Alabama childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Suitability determination by DHR is required; criminal-history background information must be updated/renewed periodically (every 5 years) per 660-5-26-.07(2)(c).
Alabama Background Check Requirements Checklist
- Criminal History Background Information Check required for applicants, licensees, board members, center directors, staff, employees, volunteers, and applicants for employment/volunteer work (660-5-26-.07(2)(c))
- National FBI criminal history check with fingerprints (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(i))
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) / National Sex Offender Registry check (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(ii))
- In-state (Alabama) criminal history check with fingerprints (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(iii))
- In-state (Alabama) sex offender registry check (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(iv))
- Inter-state criminal history check and inter-state sex offender registry check if the individual has lived in another state within the past 5 years (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(v)-(vi))
- Request for Clearance of the State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect via DHR-DFC Form 1598 for applicants, directors, and staff/employees/volunteers (660-5-26-.07(2)(b))
- Suitability determination by DHR is required; criminal-history background information must be updated/renewed periodically (every 5 years) per 660-5-26-.07(2)(c)
Go Deeper
Generate a Alabama-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Alabama childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Alabama Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
What background checks does Alabama require for childcare staff?
Alabama requires the following screenings: Criminal History Background Information Check required for applicants, licensees, board members, center directors, staff, employees, volunteers, and applicants for employment/volunteer work (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)); National FBI criminal history check with fingerprints (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(i)); National Crime Information Center (NCIC) / National Sex Offender Registry check (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(ii)); In-state (Alabama) criminal history check with fingerprints (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(iii)); In-state (Alabama) sex offender registry check (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(iv)); Inter-state criminal history check and inter-state sex offender registry check if the individual has lived in another state within the past 5 years (660-5-26-.07(2)(c)7(v)-(vi)); Request for Clearance of the State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect via DHR-DFC Form 1598 for applicants, directors, and staff/employees/volunteers (660-5-26-.07(2)(b)); Suitability determination by DHR is required; criminal-history background information must be updated/renewed periodically (every 5 years) per 660-5-26-.07(2)(c).
Do background checks need to be repeated in Alabama?
Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Alabama re-screening interval with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing).
Who must be screened at a Alabama center?
Any staff member, substitute, or volunteer with unsupervised access to children must clear the required Alabama screenings before working with children.
Alabama childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Alabama administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.