Identify a Provider Type
Choosing the Right Child Care Path
DHS Providers
Licensed Child Care Center
Licensed Child Care Centers provide care for five or more children in non-residential settings. These centers must adhere to specific adult-to-child ratio guidelines to ensure a balanced and safe environment for children.
Certified Child Care Group Home
Certified Child Care Group Homes in Arizona can care for up to 10 children, offering a smaller, home-like environment while still providing structured educational activities.
CCR&R Registered Family Child Care Homes
CCR&R Registered Family Child Care Homes care for up to four children in their homes, without state agency certification or monitoring. Providers meet safety requirements including CPS clearance, criminal background checks, CPR and First Aid training, and ensure secure environments for pools and firearms.
Certified Family Child Care Provider
Certified Family Child Care Providers in Arizona are approved by DES and can offer care for up to four children in their homes or a maximum of 6 children in the child’s home as long as they are eligible for a DES subsidy. Providers must meet certain criteria, including background checks, mandatory inspections and state certifications.
Non-Certified Relative Providers
Non-Certified Relative Providers provide care typically within the family, often in the child's or provider's home, for a family that is receiving a DES subsidy for child care. This type of care requires adherence to certain guidelines and may involve less formal settings, but still focuses on the child's well-being and development.
Apply for Licensing or Certification
Becoming a licensed or certified child care provider involves a thorough process to ensure the highest standards of safety and care. Licensing typically applies to child care centers and requires adherence to state regulations, while certification often pertains to family child care providers, focusing on meeting specific home-based care standards. Learn more about state regulations and standards, necessary training and education, and apply.
Complete Background Checks
Completing thorough background checks is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of children in your care.
- Before Background Checks
- AZ Level One Fingerprint
- Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Check
- Interstate Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Check
Before Background Checks
Ensuring the safety of children is paramount, which is why comprehensive background checks are required for all individuals involved in child care.
- Mandatory for owners, employees, substitutes, volunteers, and household members over 18.
- Household members include those who do not provide child care services and live in the home facility of a provider for 21 consecutive days or more, as well as those who live a total of 21 days or more in a given year.
- Includes checks for criminal history, child abuse, and neglect
- Required for DHS Licensed Centers, Group Homes, DES Certified Home Providers, and CCR&R Registered Providers.
- Must be completed before employment and every 5 years.
AZ Level One Fingerprint
The Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card is a critical component of the background check process, covering multiple safety checks.
- National FBI Fingerprint Criminal History
- In-State Criminal History
- National Crime Information Center National Sex Offender Registry
- Arizona Sex Offender Registry
- Previous States of Residence Sex Offender Registry
Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Check
Complete the required registry check form (Direct Service Central Registry Clearance Form: CSO-1083C) to ensure no history of child abuse or neglect for a safe child care environment.
- Necessary for all child care staff and household members over 18.
- DHS Licensed Center or Group Home (contracted with DES), DES Certified Family Child Care Providers and CCR&R Registered Providers must complete the form.
*Submit the completed form to Department of Child Safety at [email protected]
Interstate Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Check
Provider applicants who have lived in other states within the last 5 years must complete interstate checks to ensure comprehensive safety compliance.
- Required if the provider, employee, or household member has lived in another state within the last 5 years.
- Some states require a processing fee, including Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
- If you have completed a background check in the past, you can complete the Request for Search of Background Checks Form (CCA-1211A).
- Once a form is completed, mail your form, required documents and money order to DCC Central Registry - P.O. Box 6123 MD85B1, Phoenix, AZ 85005
Interstate Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Check
Provider applicants who have lived in other states within the last 5 years must complete interstate checks to ensure comprehensive safety compliance.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Washington, D.C.
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Lousiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- New York
- New Hampshire
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Vermont
- Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
After completing the initial steps, your application will be reviewed for eligibility. If approved, you'll receive further instructions on completing any additional requirements, such as specific training or facility inspections. The final step is receiving your license or certification, allowing you to operate as a child care provider. If you’d like to become a DES-contracted child care provider, you can apply here.
Background checks look for criminal history, sex offender registry listings, and any history of child abuse or neglect. There are eight types of background checks that the State of Arizona is authorized to perform:
- National FBI Fingerprint Criminal History: A fingerprint-based search of both the Department of Public Safety (DPS) database of crimes committed in Arizona and the FBI database of crimes committed within the United States.
- In-State Criminal History: A fingerprint-based search of the DPS database of crimes committed in Arizona.
- National Crime Information Center National Sex Offender Registry: A search of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and numerous Indian tribe’s sex offender registry.
- Arizona Sex Offender Registry: A search of Arizona’s sex offender registry.
- Arizona Child Abuse and Neglect Registry (Central Registry Check): A search of the Central Registry of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in Arizona. The Central Registry is maintained by the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and identifies people who have been found by DCS to have abused or neglected victims under age 18.
- Previous States of Residence Criminal History: A search of another state’s and/or territory’s database of crimes committed in the other state or territory and dispositions.
- Previous States of Residence Sex Offender Registry: A search of another state’s and/or territory’s sex offender registry.
- Previous States of Residence Child Abuse and Neglect Registry: A search of another state’s and/or territory’s records of reported child abuse and neglect cases that identify people who have been found to have abused or neglected a child.’
Offenses that typically prevent individuals from becoming child care providers include violent crimes, sexual offenses, child abuse or neglect, and certain drug-related crimes. The severity and recency of offenses are also considered in the evaluation.
Yes, some offenses may be appealable, depending on their nature and the circumstances. Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and additional information or context may be required for consideration.
Required documents include a completed application form, background check forms, proof of completed required training (such as CPR and First Aid), and, for certain types of providers, evidence of facility inspections or home safety assessments.
To ensure a successful application process, thoroughly review all requirements, complete all necessary training, submit accurate and complete documentation, and ensure compliance with background check procedures. Seeking guidance from regulatory bodies or experienced providers can also be beneficial.
Yes, you can apply to become a DES-contracted family child care provider after receiving your licensing or certification. To be eligible, you must have the following:
- Current immunization records for provider and all family members aged 13 years and younger
- Current proof of freedom from tuberculosis for provider and all household members
- Background check for provider and all household members aged 18 years and older
- Fingerprint clearance card for provider and all household members aged 18 years and older
- Child care liability insurance
- Three references, professional or personal, whom you have known for at least one year
- A safe and healthy home environment
New providers can access a variety of resources, including training programs, technical assistance and financial support programs like scholarships and grants. These resources are designed to help new providers establish and maintain high-quality child care services.
Maintaining your license or certification involves completing ongoing professional development and training, adhering to state child care regulations and renewing your background checks every 5 years. Regular facility inspections may also be required for licensed centers.
Need Help or Information?
For questions or support regarding the application process, an outstanding application or other provider information, the Arizona Department of Economic Services and Division of Child Care are here to help.