South Carolina Childcare Licensing

South Carolina Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed South Carolina childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. South Carolina requires 6 distinct screening components.

Licensing Agency

South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

South Carolina Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

South Carolina childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: State fingerprint review through the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) before teacher/caregiver employment or service — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(a); S.C. Code 63-13-40.

South Carolina childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: FBI national fingerprint-based criminal history check (submitted within 14 business days of receiving SLED results; provisional employment allowed after favorable SLED review) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(b).

South Carolina childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: South Carolina Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check for the director(s) and each staff person (except volunteers) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(b).

South Carolina childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Sex Offender Registry: no person required to register under S.C. Code 23-3-430 may be employed, have services engaged, or be knowingly allowed in the facility during normal hours of operation — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(c).

South Carolina childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Disqualifying offenses: crimes under Title 16 Chapter 3 (Offenses Against the Person), Title 16 Chapter 15 (Offenses Against Morality and Decency), and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (S.C. Code 16-17-490) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(a) and 114-503.K.(2)(c).

South Carolina childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Fingerprint reviews valid while employment continues; repeated after a break in service of one year or longer — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(d).

South Carolina Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • State fingerprint review through the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) before teacher/caregiver employment or service — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(a); S.C. Code 63-13-40
  • FBI national fingerprint-based criminal history check (submitted within 14 business days of receiving SLED results; provisional employment allowed after favorable SLED review) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(b)
  • South Carolina Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check for the director(s) and each staff person (except volunteers) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(b)
  • Sex Offender Registry: no person required to register under S.C. Code 23-3-430 may be employed, have services engaged, or be knowingly allowed in the facility during normal hours of operation — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(c)
  • Disqualifying offenses: crimes under Title 16 Chapter 3 (Offenses Against the Person), Title 16 Chapter 15 (Offenses Against Morality and Decency), and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (S.C. Code 16-17-490) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(a) and 114-503.K.(2)(c)
  • Fingerprint reviews valid while employment continues; repeated after a break in service of one year or longer — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(d)

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South Carolina Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does South Carolina require for childcare staff?

South Carolina requires the following screenings: State fingerprint review through the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) before teacher/caregiver employment or service — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(a); S.C. Code 63-13-40; FBI national fingerprint-based criminal history check (submitted within 14 business days of receiving SLED results; provisional employment allowed after favorable SLED review) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(b); South Carolina Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect check for the director(s) and each staff person (except volunteers) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(b); Sex Offender Registry: no person required to register under S.C. Code 23-3-430 may be employed, have services engaged, or be knowingly allowed in the facility during normal hours of operation — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(c); Disqualifying offenses: crimes under Title 16 Chapter 3 (Offenses Against the Person), Title 16 Chapter 15 (Offenses Against Morality and Decency), and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (S.C. Code 16-17-490) — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(1)(a) and 114-503.K.(2)(c); Fingerprint reviews valid while employment continues; repeated after a break in service of one year or longer — S.C. Code Regs. 114-503.K.(2)(d).

Do background checks need to be repeated in South Carolina?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current South Carolina re-screening interval with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing.

Who must be screened at a South Carolina center?

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

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