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Background Studies - Child Care
State law requires background studies (BGS) for certain people who provide direct contact services or have access to vulnerable adults and children. The background study determines whether a person has a disqualifying characteristic which prevents the person from working with children or living in the home of a provider. The background study process is changing to meet the federal requirements of the 2014 Child Care and Development Block Grant.
- Study subjects cannot provide direct contact services to people served by the program until a notice is received of a completed background study which indicates the individual is eligible to work; or a notice is received indicating that more time is needed, but the person can work with supervision.
- In the event of a disqualification of a current staff member, regulated providers will be required to remove the individual (regardless of their role) from employment.
The Department of Human Services will cover the costs of background studies through December 31, 2025.
The cost in 2026 and beyond will be:
Adults
- $44 for the study.
- $10.50 for the fingerprinting fee.
Minors
- $44 for the name and date of birth study.
For most people, the new enhanced background study will be good for five years before they have to be repeated and the DHS one-time funding will not cover the cost of the next study.
Disqualifications in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245C.15.
Individuals who are disqualified have reconsideration (appeal) rights. If you receive a disqualification letter, there will be a packet of information describing how you can request reconsideration.
A review of information from the following databases:
- A name-based search of Minnesota's predatory offender registry.
- A name-based search of Minnesota's child abuse and neglect registry.
- A name-based out-of-state system search of the child abuse and neglect registry for every state where that individual resided during the past five years.
- Minnesota Court Information System.
- Minnesota Maltreatment Information.
Any individual over the age of 18 or a minor (ages 13-17) who is an employee, contractor, someone who supervises children in care, or who have lived outside of Minnesota anytime in the last five years will have a background study that also includes:
- A fingerprint search of criminal history records held by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
- A fingerprint search of FBI criminal history records.
A minor (ages 13-17) who does not meet one of the criteria above will have a background study that includes the following elements in addition to items 1-5 above:
- A name-based search of criminal history records held by the BCA.
- If there is a reasonable cause, as defined in state law, a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal history check.