Utah Childcare Licensing

Utah Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

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

Licensing Agency

Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC), Office of Licensing — Child Care Licensing →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Utah Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Utah childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all covered individuals age 16 and older (providers, directors, designees, caregivers, staff, volunteers), plus household members age 12 and older — submitted and authorized through the DLBC/Office of Background Processing provider portal (Utah Admin. Code R381-100-8 — Background Checks).

Utah childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) / Department of Public Safety (DPS) — state criminal history.

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

Utah childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Utah and national Sex Offender Registry check.

Utah childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Licensing Information System (LIS) / DCFS child abuse and neglect supported-findings check.

Utah childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Renewal required if a covered individual has not been associated with an active CCL-approved child care facility within the prior 180 days, or has resided outside Utah since the last background check.

Utah Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • Fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all covered individuals age 16 and older (providers, directors, designees, caregivers, staff, volunteers), plus household members age 12 and older — submitted and authorized through the DLBC/Office of Background Processing provider portal (Utah Admin. Code R381-100-8 — Background Checks)
  • Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) / Department of Public Safety (DPS) — state criminal history
  • FBI national criminal history check (fingerprint-based)
  • Utah and national Sex Offender Registry check
  • Licensing Information System (LIS) / DCFS child abuse and neglect supported-findings check
  • Renewal required if a covered individual has not been associated with an active CCL-approved child care facility within the prior 180 days, or has resided outside Utah since the last background check

Go Deeper

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Utah Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Utah require for childcare staff?

Utah requires the following screenings: Fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all covered individuals age 16 and older (providers, directors, designees, caregivers, staff, volunteers), plus household members age 12 and older — submitted and authorized through the DLBC/Office of Background Processing provider portal (Utah Admin. Code R381-100-8 — Background Checks); Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) / Department of Public Safety (DPS) — state criminal history; FBI national criminal history check (fingerprint-based); Utah and national Sex Offender Registry check; Licensing Information System (LIS) / DCFS child abuse and neglect supported-findings check; Renewal required if a covered individual has not been associated with an active CCL-approved child care facility within the prior 180 days, or has resided outside Utah since the last background check.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Utah?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Utah re-screening interval with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Licensing and Background Checks (DLBC), Office of Licensing — Child Care Licensing.

Who must be screened at a Utah center?

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

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