Virginia Childcare Licensing

Virginia Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed Virginia childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. Virginia requires 3 distinct screening components.

Licensing Agency

Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Virginia Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Virginia childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Virginia State Police background check.

Virginia childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: FBI fingerprint check.

Virginia childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Child Protective Services (CPS) registry check.

Virginia Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • Virginia State Police background check
  • FBI fingerprint check
  • Child Protective Services (CPS) registry check

Go Deeper

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

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Virginia Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Virginia require for childcare staff?

Virginia requires the following screenings: Virginia State Police background check; FBI fingerprint check; Child Protective Services (CPS) registry check.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Virginia?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Virginia re-screening interval with the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs.

Who must be screened at a Virginia center?

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

Virginia childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Virginia administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.