North Dakota Childcare Licensing

North Dakota Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed North Dakota childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. North Dakota requires 5 distinct screening components.

Licensing Agency

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit) →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

North Dakota Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

North Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Fingerprint-based criminal history record check with an FBI nationwide check, submitted to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), required for owners/applicants, directors, supervisors, emergency designees, substitute and regular staff members, and household members of a residence — at application/hire, within five years of initial approval, and at least once every five years thereafter (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5); N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-06.2 and 12-60-24).

North Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Child Abuse and Neglect Index check / confirmed-determination review under N.D.C.C. ch. 50-25.1 (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28).

North Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Disqualifying-offense review under N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27 (enumerated offenses in N.D.C.C. chs./secs. 12.1-16, 12.1-18, 12.1-27.2, 12.1-41, the 12.1-17 assault offenses, 12.1-20 sexual offenses, 14-09-22 abuse of child, 14-09-22.1 neglect of child, and others); completion of five years after final discharge without subsequent charge or conviction is prima facie evidence of sufficient rehabilitation.

North Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Nationwide name-based BCI check substituted only when usable fingerprints cannot be obtained after two rejected sets (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5)).

North Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Department-approved authorization for background check form required no later than the first day of employment (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28(2)).

North Dakota Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • Fingerprint-based criminal history record check with an FBI nationwide check, submitted to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), required for owners/applicants, directors, supervisors, emergency designees, substitute and regular staff members, and household members of a residence — at application/hire, within five years of initial approval, and at least once every five years thereafter (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5); N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-06.2 and 12-60-24)
  • Child Abuse and Neglect Index check / confirmed-determination review under N.D.C.C. ch. 50-25.1 (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28)
  • Disqualifying-offense review under N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27 (enumerated offenses in N.D.C.C. chs./secs. 12.1-16, 12.1-18, 12.1-27.2, 12.1-41, the 12.1-17 assault offenses, 12.1-20 sexual offenses, 14-09-22 abuse of child, 14-09-22.1 neglect of child, and others); completion of five years after final discharge without subsequent charge or conviction is prima facie evidence of sufficient rehabilitation
  • Nationwide name-based BCI check substituted only when usable fingerprints cannot be obtained after two rejected sets (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5))
  • Department-approved authorization for background check form required no later than the first day of employment (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28(2))

Go Deeper

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North Dakota Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does North Dakota require for childcare staff?

North Dakota requires the following screenings: Fingerprint-based criminal history record check with an FBI nationwide check, submitted to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), required for owners/applicants, directors, supervisors, emergency designees, substitute and regular staff members, and household members of a residence — at application/hire, within five years of initial approval, and at least once every five years thereafter (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5); N.D.C.C. 50-11.1-06.2 and 12-60-24); Child Abuse and Neglect Index check / confirmed-determination review under N.D.C.C. ch. 50-25.1 (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28); Disqualifying-offense review under N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27 (enumerated offenses in N.D.C.C. chs./secs. 12.1-16, 12.1-18, 12.1-27.2, 12.1-41, the 12.1-17 assault offenses, 12.1-20 sexual offenses, 14-09-22 abuse of child, 14-09-22.1 neglect of child, and others); completion of five years after final discharge without subsequent charge or conviction is prima facie evidence of sufficient rehabilitation; Nationwide name-based BCI check substituted only when usable fingerprints cannot be obtained after two rejected sets (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-27(5)); Department-approved authorization for background check form required no later than the first day of employment (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10-28(2)).

Do background checks need to be repeated in North Dakota?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current North Dakota re-screening interval with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit).

Who must be screened at a North Dakota center?

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

North Dakota childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published North Dakota administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Services (Early Childhood Licensing unit) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.