Wisconsin Childcare Licensing

Wisconsin Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

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

Licensing Agency

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), Division of Early Care and Education →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Wisconsin Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Wisconsin childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Caregiver background check required under s. 48.686, Stats., and Wis. Admin. Code ch. DCF 13 ('Background Checks for Child Care Programs', promulgated under ss. 48.67(intro.), 48.686, and 227.11(2)(a), Stats.). (s. 48.685, Stats., governs background checks for other DCF/DHS-regulated entities, not child care centers specifically.).

Wisconsin childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: FBI fingerprint-based background check submitted through Fieldprint for applicants, licensees, caregivers, non-caregiver employees, contractors, and household members/residents age 10 or older.

Wisconsin childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Wisconsin DOJ (Department of Justice) criminal history check plus DCF Background Check Unit eligibility determination.

Wisconsin childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Search of DCF caregiver misconduct / child abuse and neglect records and the Wisconsin sex offender registry; barred offenses per DCF-P-5206.

Wisconsin childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Fingerprints renewed every 5 years; non-fingerprint name-based checks rechecked periodically.

Wisconsin Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • Caregiver background check required under s. 48.686, Stats., and Wis. Admin. Code ch. DCF 13 ('Background Checks for Child Care Programs', promulgated under ss. 48.67(intro.), 48.686, and 227.11(2)(a), Stats.). (s. 48.685, Stats., governs background checks for other DCF/DHS-regulated entities, not child care centers specifically.)
  • FBI fingerprint-based background check submitted through Fieldprint for applicants, licensees, caregivers, non-caregiver employees, contractors, and household members/residents age 10 or older
  • Wisconsin DOJ (Department of Justice) criminal history check plus DCF Background Check Unit eligibility determination
  • Search of DCF caregiver misconduct / child abuse and neglect records and the Wisconsin sex offender registry; barred offenses per DCF-P-5206
  • Fingerprints renewed every 5 years; non-fingerprint name-based checks rechecked periodically

Go Deeper

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Wisconsin Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Wisconsin require for childcare staff?

Wisconsin requires the following screenings: Caregiver background check required under s. 48.686, Stats., and Wis. Admin. Code ch. DCF 13 ('Background Checks for Child Care Programs', promulgated under ss. 48.67(intro.), 48.686, and 227.11(2)(a), Stats.). (s. 48.685, Stats., governs background checks for other DCF/DHS-regulated entities, not child care centers specifically.); FBI fingerprint-based background check submitted through Fieldprint for applicants, licensees, caregivers, non-caregiver employees, contractors, and household members/residents age 10 or older; Wisconsin DOJ (Department of Justice) criminal history check plus DCF Background Check Unit eligibility determination; Search of DCF caregiver misconduct / child abuse and neglect records and the Wisconsin sex offender registry; barred offenses per DCF-P-5206; Fingerprints renewed every 5 years; non-fingerprint name-based checks rechecked periodically.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Wisconsin?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Wisconsin re-screening interval with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), Division of Early Care and Education.

Who must be screened at a Wisconsin center?

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

Wisconsin childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Wisconsin administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), Division of Early Care and Education before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.