Background Screening
Sherry Ledbetter, Manager Email: BGScreen@ahca.myflorida.com |
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Provides screening services for health care providers in Florida currently
licensed by
the Agency for Health Care Administration
Regulations
2009 Florida Statute Chapter 408.809 adds offenses as disqualifying for all persons who require background screening and creates uniformity among provider types effective October 1, 2009. Added offenses include burglary, several fraud-related crimes such as credit card theft and identify theft, and forgery and uttering offenses.
Staff qualified and employed before October 1, 2009 are not required to meet new criteria but may request an exemption. |
- Florida Statute (F.S.), Chapter 435
- Florida Statute (F.S.), Chapter 408.809
- Who is Required to be Screened?
Secure Background Screening Website
- Background Screening Website -- a secure website for requesting and viewing criminal history screening results processed by the Agency.
Site requires a user code and password. - If you are a registered user of the BGS online screening system and you have an email address listed in your personal information, you will receive an immediate email letting you know that results are available for viewing.
FEES |
The Agency for Health Care Administration's (Agency), Background Screening provides screening services for health care providers currently licensed
by the Agency. There are two types of screening requests that are presently
performed:
Level I Criminal History - consists of a query of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) database for the criminal arrest history of an individual. The cost of this search is $24.00.
Level II Criminal History - consists of a search of the FDLE and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) databases for any criminal arrest information both state and nationally. The cost of this search is $43.25. The Agency can only process Level II screening requests as required by law. If you have questions regarding screening requirements please refer to Who is required to be screened to determine if a Level II screening is authorized.
TO ALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS:
Daily updates to the website might change an individual's
PROVIDERS SHOULD FREQUENTLY REVIEW EMPLOYEE SCREENING AND EXEMPTION INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE.
eligibility to work for a health care provider.
If an employee receives a judgment for a disqualifying criminal offense after the date the exemption is granted, the exemption will be voided. The website will be updated to indicate that the
individual
is "no longer exempt" and the last known health care employer will be notified.
Types of Background Screening
A Level 1 or a Level 2 are the two types of background screenings that may be required by law to be conducted for certain positions working at a health care provider (see Who is Required to be Screened).
LEVEL 1 Background Screening
A Level 1 screening is a query of the criminal history repository located at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This check compares individual demographic information (name, Social Security number, date of birth, race and sex) with arrest information from around the state. Screening results are returned based on the closest match to the information submitted.
An individual must not been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or plead guilty or nolo contendre, to any criminal offense listed in section 435.03 and subsection 408.809(5), Florida Statutes (F.S.).
A health care provider may choose to conduct Level 1 screening directly through the FDLE, a third party vendor, or through the Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency).
If the provider goes through the Agency to conduct a screening, Agency staff will review the criminal history and make a determination whether the individual is eligible for employment based on the criteria of the two sections of law.
If a health care provider goes directly through FDLE or a third party vendor to conduct Level 1 screening, it is the provider’s responsibility to ensure that the individual is eligible for employment based on the two sections of law.
LEVEL 2 Background Screening
A Level 2 background screening requires a fingerprint card be sent to the FDLE and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Screening results are based on the identification of a fingerprint match with an arrest record. Statutory authority mandating Level 2 screening for employment purposes is required to conduct this type of screening. All Level 2 screenings must be processed directly through a state agency that has the authority to conduct this type of screening.
An individual must not have been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or plead guilty or nolo contendre, to any criminal offense listed in section 435.04 and subsection 408.809(5), Florida Statutes (F.S.).
When the fingerprint card is submitted through the Agency, staff will review the criminal history and make a determination whether the individual is eligible for employment based on the criteria of the two sections of law.
Requesting a Level 1 Through the Agency
The Agency for Health Care Administration's (Agency), Background Screening Unit provides screening services for health care providers currently licensed by the Agency. There are two ways to request a Level 1 screening:
- Submit and pay electronically for a Level 1 request on the Agency’s secure website at: http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Background_Screening/logon.shtml
OR
- Complete the "LEVEL I CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK" form with the name and address of the provider requesting the screening. DOWNLOAD LEVEL I REQUEST FORM [101 kb PDF]
To be processed, the form must have the NAME, ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, RACE and SEX of the individual. Also include the EMPLOYER (Provider) NAME and ADDRESS. Please print legibly.
Include the screening fee of $24.00. If paying by check or money order please make payable to the Agency for Health Care Administration. Background screening fees are nonrefundable.
Requesting a Level 2 Through the Agency
| The Agency has the authority to process Level II screening requests as required by law. If you have questions regarding screening requirements please refer to " Who is required to be screened? " to determine if a Level II screening is authorized. |
There are two ways to request a Level 2 screening:
- Submit and pay electronically for a Level 2 request on the Agency’s secure website at: http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Background_Screening/logon.shtml
Obtain an "Applicant" fingerprint card as provided by Background Screening and fill out the top portion of the card completely.
- The fingerprint card must include NAME, ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, RACE, SEX, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, PLACE of BIRTH, EYE COLOR, HAIR COLOR and SIGNATURE of the applicant. Also include the EMPLOYER (Provider) NAME and ADDRESS.Please print legibly in black ink only DO NOT use a highlighter in the entry blocks DO NOT write text outside the boundary of the entry blocks DO NOT place labels or write in "Leave Blank" areas
- Submission on a nonstandard fingerprint card will be automatically rejected and returned.
- Complete and attach AHCA Recommended Form Background Screening Verification - Level 2. If Background Screening receives a fingerprint card and is unable to determine if the individual requires a Level 2 screening by law, the card will be returned to the requesting provider.
| A card cannot be processed if there is any missing information. Fingerprint cards that are not completed appropriately will be returned to the requesting health care provider. Background Screening fees are nonrefundable. DOWNLOAD FINGERPRINT CARD EXAMPLE [102 KB PDF] |
OR
- Submit and complete a fingerprint card as described above and mail the card to the Agency. Include the screening fee of $43.25. If paying by check or money order please make payable to the Agency for Health Care Administration. Background screening fees are nonrefundable .
For more information or to request fingerprint cards email us and include the name of the provider, the address, phone number and a contact person along with the number of cards needed. For more information regarding the background screening process contact our office at (850) 410-3400.
If you have specific questions regarding screening requirements for licensure or employment for a health care provider type, contact the appropriate licensing unit:
Obtaining the Results
Screening results are sent to the Agency. They are reviewed and analyzed by background screening personnel for any disqualifying offenses as listed in Chapter 435 and section 408.809, Florida Statutes. The results of that analysis are entered into our database and printed out and mailed the next day to the requesting provider. Screening results are immediately accessible on the Background Screening website. To access this secure website, you must have an active provider license with the Agency as well as an assigned user code and password.
If you are a registered user of the BGS online screening system and you have an email address listed in your personal information, you will receive an immediate email letting you know that results are available for viewing.
Fingerprint Card Rejection/Resubmission
Often the FBI rejects a card because of illegible fingerprints. A letter from the Agency will be sent to the provider requesting the individual to be fingerprinted again. The new card must be returned to the Agency with a copy of the reject letter attached. The card must be received by the Agency within 21 days of receipt of the letter in order to be resubmitted. There is no charge for a resubmission. If the card is not received within 21 days a new screening must be submitted and appropriate fees must be paid. Send completed forms and appropriate fees to:
Background Screening
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Dr.
Building 3, M.S. #40
Tallahassee, FL 32308
What the screening results mean:
Each screening request will culminate into a result. This result will determine if an individual is eligible or ineligible/disqualified from employment. Due to confidentiality issues, the results are posted by class of screening (Class 1 and Class 2). The following is a list of the possible screening results and what they mean:
Agency for Health Care Administration – Background Screening Code Explanation |
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There are two classes of screenings. An individual’s position and the type of health care provider they are seeking employment or licensure determines which class of screening is required. Below is a guide to determine the required screening. For specific requirements refer to the law governing each health care provider type. |
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The following definitions are provided as standards in determining employment eligibility for health care providers licensed by the Agency. CLASS 1 – SCREENING IN PROCESS – A request for screening was submitted and is awaiting a final result. CLASS 1 – ELIGIBLE - Individuals are considered eligible for Class 1 employmentpositions. CLASS 1 – NOT ELIGIBLE - Individuals are considered disqualified for employment and may not work in any position within a health care provider that is required to undergo background screening. CLASS 1 – NOT ELIGIBLE – REVIEW EXEMPTION STATUS Individuals are considered disqualified for employment, but have applied for an exemption from disqualification. Review the exemption status on this website for Exemptions processed through the Agency. The applicant must also provide a copy of the exemption letter to each potential health care employer. The granting of an exemption by any State Department (including this Agency) does not change the results of a background screening or clear a criminal history. The exemption only provides eligibility for employment. If an individual receives a judgment for a disqualifying criminal offense after the date the exemption is granted, the exemption will be voided. Employers should monitor the Background Screening Website for any changes in employee exemptions.
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CLASS 2 – SCREENING IN PROCESS - – A request for screening was submitted and is awaiting a final result. CLASS 2 – ELIGIBLE Individuals are considered eligible for Class 2 employment positions CLASS 2 – NOT ELIGIBLE - Individuals are considered disqualified for employment and may not work in any position within a health care provider that is required to undergo background screening. CLASS 2 – NOT ELIGIBLE – REVIEW EXEMPTION STATUS Individuals are considered disqualified for employment, but have applied for an exemption from disqualification. Review the exemption status on this website for Exemptions processed through the Agency. The applicant must also provide a copy of the exemption letter to each potential health care employer. The granting of an exemption by any State Department (including this Agency) does not change the results of a background screening or clear a criminal history. The exemption only provides eligibility for employment. If an individual receives a judgment for a disqualifying criminal offense after the date the exemption is granted, the exemption will be voided. Employers should monitor the Background Screening Website for any changes in employee exemptions. CLASS 2 – CARD REJECTED BY FBI – The submitted fingerprint card was rejected by the FBI. The requesting facility is notified in writing by the Agency if the fingerprint card is rejected. A new fingerprint card must be submitted to the Agency within 21 days from notification. There is no screening fee for the second submission to the Agency. If the card is not received within 21 days a new screening must be submitted and appropriate fees must be paid. CLASS 2 – 2 ND CARD REJECTION/NAME CHECK REQUESTED - A fingerprint card was rejected for a second time by the FBI. The requesting facility does not need to send in another fingerprint card for resubmission. The Background Screening Unit will automatically process the applicant's information as a Name Check Only (NCO) and a final result will be posted.
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If you have specific questions regarding screening requirements pertaining to a provider license, contact the appropriate licensing unit:
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Long Term Care Unit Nursing Homes, ICF/DDs, Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers, Transitional Living Facilities, Homes for Special Services |
(850) 488-5861 |
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Hospitals & Outpatient Services Unit Abortion Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Birth Centers, Crisis Stabilization Units, Hospitals, Organ Procurement Organizations, Tissue Banks, Eye Banks, Residential Treatment Facilities, Utilization Review |
(850) 487-2717 |
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Health Care Clinic Unit |
(850) 488-1365 |
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Home Care Unit Home Health Agencies, Homemaker, Sitter, Companion Agencies, Home Medical Equipment Providers, Hospice, Nurse Registries, Health Care Services Pools |
(850) 414-6010 |
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Assisted Living Unit Adult Day Care Centers, Adult Family Care Homes, Assisted Living Facilities |
(850) 487-2515 |
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Laboratory Unit Drug Free Workplace, Multiphasic Health Testing Centers |
(850) 487-3109 |
If you have any questions or need more specific details, please visit the Agency website at http://ahca.myflorida.com. |
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