Maryland Childcare Licensing

Maryland Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed Maryland childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. Maryland requires 6 distinct screening components.

Licensing Agency

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care (OCC), Licensing Branch →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Maryland Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Maryland childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: State and federal criminal history records check (fingerprint-based) via the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), Maryland Dept. of Public Safety & Correctional Services.

Maryland childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: FBI national fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Maryland childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Sex offender registry check (in-state and national).

Maryland childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Child abuse and neglect (CPS) registry check via Maryland Dept. of Human Services, Child Protective Services (CPS Background Clearance / Adam Walsh clearance).

Maryland childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Out-of-state criminal, sex offender, and child abuse/neglect registry checks for any state of residence in the prior 5 years.

Maryland childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Comprehensive background check required for all staff and adult household members at least once every 5 years; Maryland operates a CJIS rap-back program for ongoing/continuous monitoring of arrests.

Maryland Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • State and federal criminal history records check (fingerprint-based) via the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), Maryland Dept. of Public Safety & Correctional Services
  • FBI national fingerprint-based criminal background check
  • Sex offender registry check (in-state and national)
  • Child abuse and neglect (CPS) registry check via Maryland Dept. of Human Services, Child Protective Services (CPS Background Clearance / Adam Walsh clearance)
  • Out-of-state criminal, sex offender, and child abuse/neglect registry checks for any state of residence in the prior 5 years
  • Comprehensive background check required for all staff and adult household members at least once every 5 years; Maryland operates a CJIS rap-back program for ongoing/continuous monitoring of arrests

Go Deeper

All Maryland requirementsThe full Maryland licensing overview.Compare all 50 statesSee background check requirements side by side.Read the guidePractical how-to for this topic.

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Maryland Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Maryland require for childcare staff?

Maryland requires the following screenings: State and federal criminal history records check (fingerprint-based) via the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), Maryland Dept. of Public Safety & Correctional Services; FBI national fingerprint-based criminal background check; Sex offender registry check (in-state and national); Child abuse and neglect (CPS) registry check via Maryland Dept. of Human Services, Child Protective Services (CPS Background Clearance / Adam Walsh clearance); Out-of-state criminal, sex offender, and child abuse/neglect registry checks for any state of residence in the prior 5 years; Comprehensive background check required for all staff and adult household members at least once every 5 years; Maryland operates a CJIS rap-back program for ongoing/continuous monitoring of arrests.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Maryland?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Maryland re-screening interval with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care (OCC), Licensing Branch.

Who must be screened at a Maryland center?

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

Maryland childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Maryland administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care (OCC), Licensing Branch before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.