Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Background Check Procedures
BECR has determined a good faith effort is checking the DOJ website, conducting a FBI fingerprint background check, following the other state’s process for requesting information and documenting attempts to obtain the information. As part of a good faith effort, CBU staff will make two documented attempts to obtain out-of-state records. If the records have not been received after 45 days and the CBU has not received any response from the out-of-state agency, the CBU will make their final determination without the out-of-state records. If, during the 45 days, the CBU receives a response from the out-of-state agency that they are processing the request, the CBU will wait until the records are received before making a final determination.
To make the comparison between Wisconsin’s barred and substantially related offenses and convictions from other states, the CBU may seek counsel from the DCF Office of Legal Counsel. It may be necessary to get court records from the other state to understand the details of the charge and conviction. The availability of types of records (adult, juvenile, convictions or arrests) and authorized requestors (subject of inquiry, employer or government agency) vary by state. Some states will not provide information except to the subject of the search. These are closed record states. Most states require a signed release. Some states will accept Wisconsin’s release form; most require their own form. The CBU may ask the applicant or licensee/certified operator to pay the cost of obtaining the out-of-state records.
This page last updated 04/2021.