South Dakota Childcare Licensing

South Dakota Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed South Dakota childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. South Dakota requires 7 distinct screening components.

Licensing Agency

South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Services — Office of Licensing and Accreditation (OLA), 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501 →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

South Dakota Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

South Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history check (federal).

South Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) state criminal registry check (fingerprint-based).

South Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: South Dakota Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check.

South Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: South Dakota Sex Offender Registry check.

South Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check.

South Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Out-of-state criminal record, central registry, and sex offender registry screening for any state of residence in the prior 5 years (individuals age 18+).

South Dakota childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Required for licensed/registered, informal, and in-home child care providers, staff, and household members with access to children; in-state screenings repeated at least once every 5 years. Persons on the sex offender registry or central child abuse/neglect registry are prohibited from working/residing in care (SDCL 26-6-14.10, 26-6-14.11).

South Dakota Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history check (federal)
  • South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) state criminal registry check (fingerprint-based)
  • South Dakota Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check
  • South Dakota Sex Offender Registry check
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check
  • Out-of-state criminal record, central registry, and sex offender registry screening for any state of residence in the prior 5 years (individuals age 18+)
  • Required for licensed/registered, informal, and in-home child care providers, staff, and household members with access to children; in-state screenings repeated at least once every 5 years. Persons on the sex offender registry or central child abuse/neglect registry are prohibited from working/residing in care (SDCL 26-6-14.10, 26-6-14.11)

Go Deeper

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South Dakota Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does South Dakota require for childcare staff?

South Dakota requires the following screenings: FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history check (federal); South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) state criminal registry check (fingerprint-based); South Dakota Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check; South Dakota Sex Offender Registry check; National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check; Out-of-state criminal record, central registry, and sex offender registry screening for any state of residence in the prior 5 years (individuals age 18+); Required for licensed/registered, informal, and in-home child care providers, staff, and household members with access to children; in-state screenings repeated at least once every 5 years. Persons on the sex offender registry or central child abuse/neglect registry are prohibited from working/residing in care (SDCL 26-6-14.10, 26-6-14.11).

Do background checks need to be repeated in South Dakota?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current South Dakota re-screening interval with the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Services — Office of Licensing and Accreditation (OLA), 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501.

Who must be screened at a South Dakota center?

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

South Dakota childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published South Dakota administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Services — Office of Licensing and Accreditation (OLA), 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501 before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.