Idaho Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Department enhanced background check required for owners, operators, and staff, at least every five (5) years (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.02; Idaho Code §§ 39-1105, 39-1113).

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Required for all individuals 13+ with unsupervised direct contact with children and all individuals 13+ in the household or regularly on the premises (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.02.b–.c).

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Conducted under IDAPA 16.05.06 (Criminal History and Background Checks) via the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Background Check Unit; fingerprint-based, includes child-protection registry search for jurisdictions of residence over the prior five years (enhanced clearance).

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Department may require a background check at any time on any owner, operator, staff, household member, or other 13+ individual with unsupervised direct contact or regularly on the premises (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.04).

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: For individuals under 18: juvenile justice records check — magistrate-division adjudications, county probation services, and Department records, for each jurisdiction of residence ages 13–18 (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.05).

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Family daycare homes caring for 4+ children must comply with §§ 39-1105 and 39-1113 (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.03; Idaho Code §§ 39-1114, 39-1115(3)).

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: After clearance, additional disqualifying convictions/adjudications must be self-disclosed and reported by the owner/operator to the Department within 5 days (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.08).

Idaho childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Disqualifying crimes enumerated in Idaho Code § 39-1113(3).

What background checks does Idaho require for childcare staff?

Idaho requires the following screenings: Department enhanced background check required for owners, operators, and staff, at least every five (5) years (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.02; Idaho Code §§ 39-1105, 39-1113); Required for all individuals 13+ with unsupervised direct contact with children and all individuals 13+ in the household or regularly on the premises (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.02.b–.c); Conducted under IDAPA 16.05.06 (Criminal History and Background Checks) via the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Background Check Unit; fingerprint-based, includes child-protection registry search for jurisdictions of residence over the prior five years (enhanced clearance); Department may require a background check at any time on any owner, operator, staff, household member, or other 13+ individual with unsupervised direct contact or regularly on the premises (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.04); For individuals under 18: juvenile justice records check — magistrate-division adjudications, county probation services, and Department records, for each jurisdiction of residence ages 13–18 (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.05); Family daycare homes caring for 4+ children must comply with §§ 39-1105 and 39-1113 (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.03; Idaho Code §§ 39-1114, 39-1115(3)); After clearance, additional disqualifying convictions/adjudications must be self-disclosed and reported by the owner/operator to the Department within 5 days (IDAPA 16.06.03.009.08); Disqualifying crimes enumerated in Idaho Code § 39-1113(3).

Do background checks need to be repeated in Idaho?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Idaho re-screening interval with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare (Self-Reliance) — daycare licensing; IdahoSTARS Customer Support Specialists collect documentation and assist applicants through the state licensing process on behalf of the Department.

Who must be screened at a Idaho center?

Any staff member, substitute, or volunteer with unsupervised access to children must clear the required Idaho screenings before working with children.