Miami-Dade County, FL Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Apply for check
- Within 5 days of hire
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Enforcing agency
- Miami-Dade Police Department
- Max criminal penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Miami-Dade County requires every operator and employee of a child care facility or day care home to pass a Miami-Dade Police Department criminal background investigation, renewed every two years, before working on-site.
All operators and personnel of child care facilities and day care homes, as defined in Section 402.302(4) and (5), Florida Statutes, respectively; and facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities ... shall apply to the Miami-Dade Police Department for a criminal background investigation within thirty (30) days from the enactment of Ordinance No. 85-1 or five (5) days from employment at the facility, whichever is later.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Under Article XIV of Chapter 8A, operators and personnel of child care facilities and day care homes (as defined by Fla. Stat. § 402.302) must apply to the Miami-Dade Police Department for a criminal background investigation within five days of hire. MDPD issues an application requiring identifying information and a sworn authorization, completes the check within 60 days, and mails results to the applicant, the facility, and the state. Reports must be renewed every two years. Facilities must keep application receipts and investigation reports on file, post a public notice that the reports are open for inspection, and disclose that right on admission applications.
Violations & Fines
Operating a child care facility without keeping the required background-check receipts and reports on file, or without posting the notice, is a criminal violation punishable by up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail under Code § 1-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to get background-checked?
How often must the check be renewed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
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