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Background Checks

Background Checks: Keeping Child Care Safe in Kansas

Kansas law (KSA 65-516) requires a background check for each individual residing, working or regularly volunteering in a licensed child care facility. These checks lower the risk of neglect or abuse in child care settings and help parents feel confident with the care their children receive. 

How to Get a Background Check to Work in Kansas

To start, facilities will fill out this form (Spanish) and submit it to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Most of the time, this process will happen naturally as part of initial licensing procedures and hiring processes. Any changes can be submitted through the online Provider Portal.

Fingerprint-based background checks are required of anyone living in a child care facility, owners, program directors, and any staff with unsupervised access to children. Facilities will be notified via email by KDHE Child Care Licensing (CCL) when a waiver and fingerprints are required. Staff with an email address on file will also receive the email.

  • If you have been notified that you need to get fingerprinted by KDHE CCL or your child care facility, follow the steps on the KDHE site. Your email notification from KDHE CCL will detail the next steps.

If you have any questions regarding the background check process, contact KDHE CCL by email or phone at 785-296-1270.

Types of Background Checks

All individuals who live, work or volunteer in a licensed child care facility will have a name-based background check completed by KDHE. A name-based background check includes checking Kansas Criminal History and the DCF Child Abuse and Neglect Registry.

Fingerprint-based background checks additionally include checking for Federal Criminal History and State and Federal Sexual Offender Registries.

For more information, including the types of checks, view KDHE’s General Questions Regarding Background Checks.

State & Federal Criminal Registries

The criminal history information maintained by the KBI and FBI includes felony and misdemeanor arrests, prosecution data, court dispositions, and information on incarceration in state-operated confinement facilities. 

Child Abuse & Neglect (CAN) Registry

The Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) database contains the names of individuals who have been determined to be perpetrators of child abuse and/or neglect. Some of these findings include physical abuse, sexual abuse or sexual maltreatment, educational neglect, medical neglect, physical neglect, or emotional maltreatment.

Sexual Offender Registries

As punishment for certain sex and violent crimes, the State of Kansas requires the convicted individual to be registered on the state’s Sex Offender List. Some crimes that require registration include rape, solicitation, aggravated human trafficking, internet trading in child pornography, and kidnapping. 

Common Prohibiting Offenses

Misdemeanors:

  • Battery and/or assault (including domestic offenses)
  • Furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor
  • Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
  • Unlawfully hosting minors consuming alcohol
  • Robbery

Felonies:

  • Battery and/or assault (including domestic offenses)
  • Drug convictions 

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of prohibiting offenses.

If You’ve Worked in Another State Within the Past 5 Years

The CCL program with KDHE is required to conduct out-of-state background checks for those who have lived in another state within the last 5 years. These checks look at the State’s child abuse and neglect registry, sex offender registry, and criminal history for individuals who currently reside, work, or volunteer in a child care facility.

Each state has its own application and process.

Find Application By State

How to Get a Background Check From Kansas to Work In Another State

Need a background check from Kansas to work in another state? Three kinds of Inter-State background checks are required by law for all designated individuals who have resided in that state within the past five years: a criminal background check, interstate sex offender registry check, and child abuse and neglect (CAN) registry check.

Learn how to order each of these checks from the state.

Inter-State Criminal Background Check

The Kansas Central Repository can search the criminal history records database either by name or by fingerprint comparison. You may use either method to identify and receive criminal history records.

Note: Kansas is a National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact State.

Name-based check

The state of Kansas, through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, allows the release of Kansas criminal history records to the general public and to a variety of users with specific rights and entitlements.

  • Required information: You must have the provider’s full name and date of birth.
  • Price: $20 fee per search.
  • Details: KanAccess account creation is required.
Perform a name-based record checklaunch
Review the National Fingerprint File

Kansas is a National Fingerprint File (NFF) state. Fingerprints to be submitted for record checks must be recorded on the current version of the FBI’s Applicant Fingerprint Card, FD Form 258. Criminal justice agencies, like your local police department or sheriff’s office, usually maintain a stock of these cards. If you cannot obtain assistance locally, KBI will provide blank cards for you.

  • Requirements: Get a physical or digital fingerprint, either by yourself, with the help of a justice agency, or by a commercial fingerprinting service. To get a physical fingerprint, you’ll need to roll the provider’s fingerprints on the applicable form.
  • Price: $35 per individual.

To send the request, place your printed form in an envelope large enough to hold the card without bending or folding. Do not crease or staple the fingerprint card. Mail it to:

Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Criminal History Records Section
1620 SW Tyler
Topeka, KS 66612-1837

Regular first-class mailing is sufficient; there is no need to certify or insure the request.

For information on conducting a KBI record check: Check out KBI’s frequently asked questions or contact KBI online or by phone at (785) 296-2454.

Interstate Sex Offender Registry

Information is publicly available through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) about registered sex, violent, and drug offenders by name, address, zip code, or county.

  • Required information: Provider’s name
  • Price: Free
Search the registrylaunch

Contact: 
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Offender Registration Unit
1620 SW Tyler
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: (785) 296-2841
Email KBI

Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Registry check

Check if a provider is in the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry, which is a centralized registry for the State of Kansas through the Department for Children and Families. Complete the signed release form (PPS-1011) and submit it via email, mail, or fax to:

Kansas Department For Children And Families
Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry
“Attention: DCF/Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry”
P.O. Box 2637 
Topeka, KS 66601

  • Required information: Provider’s name (including all aliases, other names used and maiden name, if applicable), date of birth, and Social Security number.
  • Price: $10.00 per request for private agencies and the general public.
    • There is no fee for state government agencies (state contracting and subcontracting agencies not included).
    • There is no fee for listed Mentor Kansas Partners.

You will receive a letter if a match is found on the abuse and neglect registry. 

For more information, contact Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry at
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (785) 296-4653
Fax: 866-317-4279
Website

View Sample Letter

Helpful Links

KBI Criminal Background Check FAQs

KBI Record Check FAQ

Out-of-State Background Check Requirements

KDHE’s General Questions Regarding Background Checks

List of Common Prohibited Offenses

Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry

Related State definitions from regulations and statutes

KDHE: How to View Comprehensive Background Check Results and Add, Edit, and Expire Affiliates