Nebraska Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Nebraska childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Pre-employment criminal history record check via Nebraska State Patrol or local law enforcement for applicant/licensee, each staff member and volunteer age 19+, and household members age 19+ if home-based; out-of-state check required if the individual has lived in Nebraska less than 12 months - 391 NAC 3-006.03A.

Nebraska childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Nebraska Child Abuse/Neglect Central Register check (individuals age 13+); conducted by the Department - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(1).

Nebraska childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Nebraska Adult Protective Services (APS) Central Registry check (individuals age 18+); conducted by the Department - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(2).

Nebraska childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registry check (conducted by the applicant/licensee) - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(3).

Nebraska childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: All registry checks must be completed before the individual assumes responsibility for the care and supervision of children; any individual listed as a perpetrator on any registry must not be on the premises during hours of operation (except a parent-perpetrator solely for drop-off/pick-up) - 391 NAC 3-006.03B.

Nebraska childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Permanent and tiered (20-year and 5-year) criminal disqualifications apply for enumerated offenses - 391 NAC 3-006.03A1, 3-006.03A2, 3-006.03A3.

What background checks does Nebraska require for childcare staff?

Nebraska requires the following screenings: Pre-employment criminal history record check via Nebraska State Patrol or local law enforcement for applicant/licensee, each staff member and volunteer age 19+, and household members age 19+ if home-based; out-of-state check required if the individual has lived in Nebraska less than 12 months - 391 NAC 3-006.03A; Nebraska Child Abuse/Neglect Central Register check (individuals age 13+); conducted by the Department - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(1); Nebraska Adult Protective Services (APS) Central Registry check (individuals age 18+); conducted by the Department - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(2); Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registry check (conducted by the applicant/licensee) - 391 NAC 3-006.03B(3); All registry checks must be completed before the individual assumes responsibility for the care and supervision of children; any individual listed as a perpetrator on any registry must not be on the premises during hours of operation (except a parent-perpetrator solely for drop-off/pick-up) - 391 NAC 3-006.03B; Permanent and tiered (20-year and 5-year) criminal disqualifications apply for enumerated offenses - 391 NAC 3-006.03A1, 3-006.03A2, 3-006.03A3.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Nebraska?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Nebraska re-screening interval with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit - Children's Services Licensing (Child Care Centers).

Who must be screened at a Nebraska center?

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