As of July 1, 2024, all child care facilities in Washoe County are licensed by the State of Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Child Care Licensing Program (DWSS CCL). As a result, the information in this post may no longer be valid but is being preserved on the NEWS page for historical purposes. Please refer to the DWSS CCL website for the most current information.
Effective January 31, 2022, there will be a new background process for child care providers and employees. Work Permits will be replaced by a Comprehensive Background Check through the State of Nevada Department of Public and Behavioral Health. The work permit card requirement will be replaced with an eligibility memo from DPBH. Please carefully read the details for this process, outlined below and in this document.
• Washoe County Child Care Licensing will have fingerprint cards on file and provide fingerprint cards to providers periodically and by request. Initially, they will mail out a supply of fingerprint cards for providers to have on hand for new employees.
• Child Care Providers are responsible for providing a fingerprint card, Consent and Release Form, and Personal Data Sheet to new employees. The Director or Owner of the Child Care Facility is required to sign the Consent and Release Form once it is filled out completely. The Director or Owner is responsible for verifying the social security number, legal name, and birth date of the applicant prior to signing the Consent and Release.
• Employees under the age of 18 are only required to submit a Personal Data Sheet and a copy of their ID within 24 hours of employment to hsa-pdsforms@washoecounty.gov. Employees under the age of 18 may not be left alone with children for any period of time. An age-specific Memo of Eligibility will be issued to these employees with an expiration date on their 18th birthday, after which they must get fingerprinted.
• New employees must make a fingerprint appointment within 24 hours of hire at the following link: Fingerprints (washoesheriff.com). Fingerprint appointments are typically available Monday through Thursday. Employees are responsible for bringing their fingerprint cards and complete Consent and Release form with them to their fingerprint appointment, otherwise they will be turned away.
• The applicant will bring their fingerprint card and Consent and Release form to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Employees are responsible for the $10 fee per card to have their fingerprints rolled. The Sheriff’s Office clerk will fingerprint the applicant and sign the form. The Sheriff’s Office Clerk will return the fingerprint card and signed form to the applicant.
• The applicant will deliver their fingerprints, completed Personal Data Sheet, and Consent and Release to WCHSA Child Care Licensing with two money orders (personal checks are not accepted): one for $11.50 made out to Nevada Child Care Licensing, another for $40.25 made out to the Nevada Department of Public Safety. These fees are subject to change, and providers will be notified by Child Care Licensing in advance of any pricing changes. WCHSA will date stamp the consent and release and make a copy for the applicant to provide to their employer. These items may also be mailed to WCHSA or delivered by a designated staff member; however, please note that there must be a copy of the applicant’s state-issued ID included and if there are any errors found in the paperwork this may cause a delay in the applicant’s ability to start work.
• The applicant will provide a copy of the consent and release form to their employer. Similar to the previous temporary work permit receipt, this documentation can serve as temporary authorization to work under supervision while pending the final clearance memo from DPBH.
• Once the applicant’s background results are complete, Washoe County Child Care Licensing will provide an eligibility memo to the facility which will either authorize the employee to work without restriction or notify the facility of the applicant’s disqualification from employment in child care. If disqualified based on the results of a background check, applicants may contact DPBH for instructions on how to appeal.
• Current employees with a valid work permit do not need to get a new background check but will use this process moving forward when their work permit expires.
As most of you are aware, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is closed from January 18th through January 30th and will no longer be issuing work permits. If you have an employee that will be in need of clearance during this two week period, please contact your licensing worker and they will provide an alternative temporary solution for staff.
Washoe County Child Care Licensing recognizes that this is a large change in process and that there may be situations which arise that are not covered in this document. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your licensing worker with questions and clarification.