Background checks

By state law, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) must run background checks on anyone who is authorized to care for or have unsupervised access to children in licensed child care facilities. This helps make sure licensed providers offer safe, healthy places for children.

These laws are located in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW): Chapter 43.215 RCW, RCW 43.43.830, and RCW 43.43.832.

DEL’s background check rules are Chapter 170-06 WAC.

Click here for the Director's List of Crimes and Negative Actions.

DEL will review a person’s criminal history, character, and child abuse and neglect history. Background checks and, in some cases, fingerprint check (for people who have resided in the state for less than three years), will be done for:

  • The provider
  • Anyone who cares for or has unsupervised access to children in licensed child care
  • If you are a family home child care provider, any people living in your home who are ages 16 or older.

The fees for a fingerprint-based background check are:

  • Applicant (licensee, employees, household members) to work in a licensed child care facility: $46.75
  • Applicant to volunteer in a licensed child care facility: $42.75

Your DEL licensor can help you with the background check process and should receive your background check fee.
Note: Sending background check fees to offices other than your local licensor office will result in a delay of your background check.
Find your local licensing office.

Background check forms

Fingerprint process

DEL contracts with a business called L-1 Enrollment Services (L-1) for fingerprinting. DEL sends the fingerprint appointment form to the licensee by either email or U.S. mail AFTER the background check form is processed by the local DEL office. Licensees who have email addresses need to ensure their email information is always current with their DEL licensors.

After receiving the fingerprint appointment form from DEL, the applicant and the licensee need to be in the same location to:

  • Schedule an appointment for fingerprinting with L-1 (the applicant’s responsibility).
  • Make payment (the licensee’s responsibility.) The licensee must make the payment within 15 minutes after the applicant schedules the appointment. Acceptable forms of payment are:
    • E-check from savings or checking account
    • Credit or debit card
    • L-1 Enrollment Services preapproved escrow account
  • The applicant and the licensee DO NOT need to attend the fingerprint appointment together.

Reminder: according to RCW 43.215.215 (b) the fingerprint criminal history record checks shall be at the expense of the licensee. The licensee may not pass this cost on to the employee or prospective employee, unless the employee is determined to be unsuitable due to his or her criminal history record.

The L-1 website lists locations where fingerprints can be processed. For additional help, view instructions from L-1.

  • L-1 will process the fingerprints and electronically send them to Washington State Patrol.
  • Washington State Patrol and the FBI will electronically process the fingerprints and sends the results to the state.
  • The Department of Early Learning will complete the rest of the process.

For additional questions, view this Frequently Asked Questions document or call the L-1 Customer Service Line at 888-771-5097 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Portable background checks

The 2011 Washington State Legislature passed a bill that will create a portable background check registry by July 1, 2012. The registry will give licensed child care employees a three-year “portable” clearance card. The card will allow employees to work in more than one facility during those three years. The new process will be phased in over the next few years.

Timeline for the changes:

  • July 2011: All licensed child care providers will be charged a one-time fee of $45 to help with the cost of setting up and maintaining the registry. Providers received an invoice in the mail in late July and need to submit payment by September 1, 2011 to DEL, P.O. Box 40971, Olympia, WA 98504-0971.
  • July 2012: Ongoing fees will be charged when individuals submit a new background check application. Anyone who applies for a background check for the first time will need to do a fingerprint check. This is different than the current process, in which only people who have lived in Washington less than three years must undergo a fingerprint check as part of the background check process. Licensed providers will be required to report resignation or termination of employees to DEL within 24 hours if it involves negative actions and/or criminal activity. Licensed providers may cover or share the cost of fees for employees, if they choose.
  • July 2012 to July 2013: All current providers and employees must submit a background application to DEL. This will put everyone into the new registry by July 1, 2013.

Read more about the proposed rules to implement the portable background check registry.

Questions? Email backgroundcheck@del.wa.gov