Tennessee Childcare Licensing

Tennessee Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

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

Licensing Agency

Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Tennessee Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Tennessee childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Fingerprint-based criminal background check for owners/operators, employees, directors, managers, substitutes working 36+ hours/year in adult:child ratios, and any person age 15 or older who resides in the child care agency (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.07; fingerprinting per T.C.A. 71-3-507 and the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act).

Tennessee childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state criminal history check.

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

Tennessee childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Sex Offender Registry check (listing on the registry is disqualifying).

Tennessee childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Department of Children's Services (DCS) substantiated abuse/neglect records check.

Tennessee childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Tennessee Vulnerable Persons Registry check.

Tennessee childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Background checks required at least every five (5) years; non-waivable disqualifiers include appearing on a state sex offender registry and felony convictions for murder, child abuse or neglect, or a crime against children.

Tennessee Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • Fingerprint-based criminal background check for owners/operators, employees, directors, managers, substitutes working 36+ hours/year in adult:child ratios, and any person age 15 or older who resides in the child care agency (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.07; fingerprinting per T.C.A. 71-3-507 and the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act)
  • Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state criminal history check
  • FBI national fingerprint-based criminal history check
  • Sex Offender Registry check (listing on the registry is disqualifying)
  • Department of Children's Services (DCS) substantiated abuse/neglect records check
  • Tennessee Vulnerable Persons Registry check
  • Background checks required at least every five (5) years; non-waivable disqualifiers include appearing on a state sex offender registry and felony convictions for murder, child abuse or neglect, or a crime against children

Go Deeper

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

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Tennessee Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Tennessee require for childcare staff?

Tennessee requires the following screenings: Fingerprint-based criminal background check for owners/operators, employees, directors, managers, substitutes working 36+ hours/year in adult:child ratios, and any person age 15 or older who resides in the child care agency (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.07; fingerprinting per T.C.A. 71-3-507 and the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act); Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state criminal history check; FBI national fingerprint-based criminal history check; Sex Offender Registry check (listing on the registry is disqualifying); Department of Children's Services (DCS) substantiated abuse/neglect records check; Tennessee Vulnerable Persons Registry check; Background checks required at least every five (5) years; non-waivable disqualifiers include appearing on a state sex offender registry and felony convictions for murder, child abuse or neglect, or a crime against children.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Tennessee?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Tennessee re-screening interval with the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services.

Who must be screened at a Tennessee center?

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

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