Texas Childcare Licensing

Texas Childcare Background Check Requirements (2026)

Every adult with unsupervised access to children at a licensed Texas childcare center must clear a multi-part background check before being counted in ratio. Texas requires 4 distinct screening components.

Licensing Agency

Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Texas Background Check Requirements: The Specifics

Texas childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history check.

Texas childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: FBI fingerprint-based national check.

Texas childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Child Abuse/Neglect (CAN) registry check.

Texas childcare licensing requires the following pre-employment screening for staff: Sex offender registry check.

Texas Background Check Requirements Checklist

  • Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history check
  • FBI fingerprint-based national check
  • Child Abuse/Neglect (CAN) registry check
  • Sex offender registry check

Go Deeper

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

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Texas Background Check Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

What background checks does Texas require for childcare staff?

Texas requires the following screenings: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal history check; FBI fingerprint-based national check; Child Abuse/Neglect (CAN) registry check; Sex offender registry check.

Do background checks need to be repeated in Texas?

Many states require periodic re-screening (often every 5 years) in addition to the initial check. Confirm the current Texas re-screening interval with the Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing.

Who must be screened at a Texas center?

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

Texas childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Texas administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.