Background Checks for Child Care Personnel

Information regarding background checks for child care personnel, including NH Connections, fingerprinting, and the LiveScan system.

Who is required to complete a Background Record Check?

To ensure the safety of children in NH licensed child care, license-exempt child care, and 24-hour residential programs, the Child Care Licensing Unit require comprehensive Background Record Checks (BRCs) be completed for all child care personnel and household members as follows:

  • Prior to the date an individual is responsible for the care of, or has regular contact with, children;
  • Upon adding new household members, or other individuals who will have regular contact with children; and
  • Upon staff or household members turning 18 years of age.

What does a comprehensive BRC include?

A comprehensive BRC is broken down into three primary categories:

  1. In-State Background Checks:
    • NH Criminal Record Check;
    • Abuse and Neglect Registry Check - CCLU will complete this check once the individual has completed their fingerprint appointment, and their identity has been verified; and
    • NH Sex Offender Registry.
       
  2. National Background Checks:
    • National FBI criminal history check - fingerprints are required to complete this process; and
    • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Sex Offender Registry (NSOR).
       
  3. Inter-State (Outside of NH) background checks, which are required for each state an individual has resided in within the past five (5) years OR currently lives in, if they do not live in NH:
    • State Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check;
    • State Criminal History Check (for center, family, and license-exempt child care programs only; NOT required for 24-hour residential programs); and
    • National Sex Offender Registry check.

The CCLU cannot make a full determination on an individual's BRC submission until we receive the results from all background checks, or forty-five (45) days from the date that a complete submission was received, whichever occurs first.

How often am I required to complete a BRC?

A comprehensive BRC is required to be completed every five (5) years from the initial check.

A new BRC is also required if:

  • You have been separated from employment in a licensed child care or 24-hour residential program for more than 180 days; or
  • If you were under the age of 18 when the initial BRC was completed, it has been 5 years since that submission, and you have not yet reached your 18th birthday. If this is the case, please complete the process as described in the section "Individuals 10-17 Years of Age" below.

If you are required to submit forms during the BRC process, they must be submitted directly to:

Child Care Licensing Unit
NH Department of Health & Human Services
129 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301

Using the NH Connections Portal

All child care personnel and household members must register in the NH Connections (NHCIS) portal, and submit their BRC applications online. Using the portal to initiate the BRC process provides you with detailed instructions and email communications upon submission, and throughout the process to ensure your submission is completed correctly and with minimal delays.

Check your NHCIS portal and email for updates. Your NHCIS portal will indicate the progress of your application, including if it is incomplete for any reason. If more information is required, you will be contacted via email. Failure to respond will result in your application being withdrawn, and a BRC status of "ineligible."

Residential child care staff are not required to use NHCIS but are welcome to, if they so choose.

 

Individuals 10-17 Years of Age

DO NOT USE NHCIS to submit a background record check! Complete and mail the Household and Personnel Form - CCLU 1-B and any out of state forms, as applicable, directly to CCLU.

Once an individual is within four (4) months of their 18th birthday, then they are required to register in NHCIS, and complete and submit their BRC application using the portal.

Contact Information

Fingerprinting

Fingerprints must be completed using LiveScan only. Ink print cards will not be accepted.

Fingerprint appointments can be scheduled and paid for using the NH Department of Safety CHRI Applicant Portal. Once your appointment is scheduled, log in to your NH Connections account to complete and submit the BRC application.

 

Local Police Locations with LiveScan

Local police departments may allow individuals to complete fingerprints. Call ahead to request an appointment and to determine if they charge an additional fee. Be sure to bring the following with you to your appointment:

  • Payment for any additional fees the local police may charge; and
  • One valid method of photo identification, such as a driver's license, Real ID, non-driver's license, or US Passport.

Completing your fingerprints at a local police department will add additional time to process your BRC application, as you must submit the items outlined below to CCLU for a submission to be complete. For NHCIS users, review the automated email(s) that you receive upon submitting your BRC application, as it details where to retrieve the required documents.

Child Care Programs licensed under He-C 4002, and License-Exempt providers regulated under He-C 6914:

  • Criminal History Record Information Authorization - CCLU 1-A with $28.25 check made payable to "State of NH - Criminal Records";
  • Applicant/Licensing LiveScan Fingerprint Form (provided by local police department at the time of appointment); and, if applicable,
  • Out-of-State release form(s) and fee(s) for individuals who currently live in another state other than NH or have lived in another state during any part of the last five (5) years.

24-Hour Residential Child Care Agencies licensed under He-C 4001:

 

Out-of-State Background Checks

For all individuals who have lived in a state other than NH, during any part of the last five (5) years (including college), OR who currently live in a state other than NH, you are required to complete the Out-of-State Background Check requirements.

 

Information & Resources

  • Child Care Programs and License-Exempt Providers

    • RSA 170-E:7 Law requiring criminal history record checks, including fingerprints, for child care personnel and household members.

 

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