Indiana Childcare Licensing

Indiana Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed Indiana childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. Indiana requires 8 distinct screening components.

Licensing Agency

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Indiana Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: National criminal history background check (fingerprint-based) by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), processed through IdentoGO/IDEMIA - required before an individual is employed or allowed to volunteer and every 3 years thereafter (IC 12-17.2-4-3).

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Indiana State Police (ISP) Limited Criminal History check.

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Indiana State Sex and Violent Offender Registry check.

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Child Protection Index check - Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) child abuse and neglect registry determination (grounds tied to a DCS determination of abuse/neglect as defined in IC 31-9-2-14; DCS established under IC 31-25-1-1).

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Out-of-state child abuse/neglect registry check for individuals who previously resided out of state (coordinated through the OECOSL Background Check Unit).

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: New background check generally required if an applicant has not been employed in child care within a defined break-in-service period.

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Drug testing policy and results maintained for caregivers, obtained before employment/volunteering (IC 12-17.2-4-3.5).

Indiana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Disqualifying offenses: grounds for denial at IC 12-17.2-4-5 and grounds for revocation at IC 12-17.2-4-32 - felonies related to health/safety of a child, sex offenses (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5.2), dangerous felonies, and substantiated DCS child abuse/neglect determinations.

Indiana Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • National criminal history background check (fingerprint-based) by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), processed through IdentoGO/IDEMIA - required before an individual is employed or allowed to volunteer and every 3 years thereafter (IC 12-17.2-4-3)
  • Indiana State Police (ISP) Limited Criminal History check
  • Indiana State Sex and Violent Offender Registry check
  • Child Protection Index check - Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) child abuse and neglect registry determination (grounds tied to a DCS determination of abuse/neglect as defined in IC 31-9-2-14; DCS established under IC 31-25-1-1)
  • Out-of-state child abuse/neglect registry check for individuals who previously resided out of state (coordinated through the OECOSL Background Check Unit)
  • New background check generally required if an applicant has not been employed in child care within a defined break-in-service period
  • Drug testing policy and results maintained for caregivers, obtained before employment/volunteering (IC 12-17.2-4-3.5)
  • Disqualifying offenses: grounds for denial at IC 12-17.2-4-5 and grounds for revocation at IC 12-17.2-4-32 - felonies related to health/safety of a child, sex offenses (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5.2), dangerous felonies, and substantiated DCS child abuse/neglect determinations

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Indiana Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Indiana require for childcare staff?

Indiana requires the following screenings: National criminal history background check (fingerprint-based) by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), processed through IdentoGO/IDEMIA - required before an individual is employed or allowed to volunteer and every 3 years thereafter (IC 12-17.2-4-3); Indiana State Police (ISP) Limited Criminal History check; Indiana State Sex and Violent Offender Registry check; Child Protection Index check - Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) child abuse and neglect registry determination (grounds tied to a DCS determination of abuse/neglect as defined in IC 31-9-2-14; DCS established under IC 31-25-1-1); Out-of-state child abuse/neglect registry check for individuals who previously resided out of state (coordinated through the OECOSL Background Check Unit); New background check generally required if an applicant has not been employed in child care within a defined break-in-service period; Drug testing policy and results maintained for caregivers, obtained before employment/volunteering (IC 12-17.2-4-3.5); Disqualifying offenses: grounds for denial at IC 12-17.2-4-5 and grounds for revocation at IC 12-17.2-4-32 - felonies related to health/safety of a child, sex offenses (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5.2), dangerous felonies, and substantiated DCS child abuse/neglect determinations.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Indiana?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Indiana re-screening interval with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care.

Who must be screened at a Indiana center?

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

Indiana childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Indiana administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) - Bureau of Child Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.