Montana Childcare Licensing

Montana Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

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

Licensing Agency

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Montana Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Montana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Fingerprint background check through the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — FBI fingerprint check required every five years (ARM 37.96.1002, Fingerprint and Background Checks).

Montana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Check of the Montana Sex Offender Registry and the national Sex Offender Registry via the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) — required annually.

Montana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Child protective services (CPS) check for Montana and any state of residence in the preceding five years — required annually.

Montana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Name-based criminal records check for Montana and any state of residence in the preceding five years.

Montana childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Required for facility personnel (directors, owners, teachers, substitutes, volunteers with child contact) and all adults residing in or regularly present at the facility; disqualifying results enumerated in ARM 37.96.1003 (background-check results that MUST result in denial) and ARM 37.96.1004 (results that MAY result in denial).

Montana Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • Fingerprint background check through the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — FBI fingerprint check required every five years (ARM 37.96.1002, Fingerprint and Background Checks)
  • Check of the Montana Sex Offender Registry and the national Sex Offender Registry via the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) — required annually
  • Child protective services (CPS) check for Montana and any state of residence in the preceding five years — required annually
  • Name-based criminal records check for Montana and any state of residence in the preceding five years
  • Required for facility personnel (directors, owners, teachers, substitutes, volunteers with child contact) and all adults residing in or regularly present at the facility; disqualifying results enumerated in ARM 37.96.1003 (background-check results that MUST result in denial) and ARM 37.96.1004 (results that MAY result in denial)

Go Deeper

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

Generate a Montana-Compliant Handbook

TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Montana childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.

Montana Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Montana require for childcare staff?

Montana requires the following screenings: Fingerprint background check through the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — FBI fingerprint check required every five years (ARM 37.96.1002, Fingerprint and Background Checks); Check of the Montana Sex Offender Registry and the national Sex Offender Registry via the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) — required annually; Child protective services (CPS) check for Montana and any state of residence in the preceding five years — required annually; Name-based criminal records check for Montana and any state of residence in the preceding five years; Required for facility personnel (directors, owners, teachers, substitutes, volunteers with child contact) and all adults residing in or regularly present at the facility; disqualifying results enumerated in ARM 37.96.1003 (background-check results that MUST result in denial) and ARM 37.96.1004 (results that MAY result in denial).

Do background checks need to be repeated in Montana?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Montana re-screening interval with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program.

Who must be screened at a Montana center?

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

Montana childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Montana administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.