Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Background Check Procedures
The background check process begins when facilities and individuals subject to the background check law complete and submit the Background Check Request form (DCF-F-5296) to the CBU or local certification agency. Submittal of the completed Background Check Request form is necessary for the initial background check to be conducted and for initiating the subsequent five-year fingerprint checks. The form is used as an initial screening tool to determine what type of background checks must be conducted in order for an individual to be granted certification or licensure, or to work in or reside in a child care center.
New applicants for licensure or certification must submit the completed paper Background Check Request forms along with other application materials to the local certification agency or BECR regional licensing office. Once a child care program has been granted certification or licensure, however, the preferred method for submitting Background Check Request forms is through the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP).
A child care provider must first be granted certification or licensure before receiving access to the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP). In addition to accessing Wisconsin Shares information, programs can use the CCPP to request background checks and view background check eligibility notices electronically. Using the CCPP to submit the Background Check Request form streamlines the background check process for the certification agency, the CBU, the certified operator or licensee and the subject of the background check, and can thereby reduce the time it takes to initiate and receive background check results.
Prospective and active individuals in Wisconsin child care can also request background checks on the iChildCare Portal. Individuals can:
Request a background check for themselves to establish their eligibility to reside and work in child care.
View their individual background check eligibility status and notices.
Be discovered by child care providers and attached to their program(s) in the Child Care Provider Portal.
Update their personal information, such as a change in address, phone number, or name.
This page last updated 10/2019.