Certification and Licensing
Alaska Background Check Program
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers are provided by the Background Check Unit (BCU)
Updated on
April 27, 2012
Process
A1. Who is required to submit background checks to the Background Check Progam (BCP), and who must the background check be submitted for?
All facilities notified by their oversight division to process through the BCP must submit background checks to the BCP for processing. All questions on whether or not the facility should process through the BCP should be directed to the oversight division.
A2 . Who should be called if I have a question about background checks?
The Background Check Program can be reached at:
Division of Health Care Services
Certification and Licensing Section
Background Check Program
4501 Business Park Blvd, Bldg L
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 334-4475
Fax (907) 269-3488
BCUnit@alaska.gov
For questions concerning the background check statute or regulation, such as; the identification of individuals who are required to have a background check; the variance request process; or to obtain authorization to process background check applications through the Background Check Program, you must contact the division that licenses, certifies or otherwise monitors your program. The division points of contact are listed below.
Division of Behavioral Health
Attn:Joan Houlihan
3601 C Street, Ste 878
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-269-3796 Phone
907-269-3623 fax
joan.houlihan@alaska.gov
Division of Behavioral Health
Attn: James McLaughlin
3601 C Street, Ste 878
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-269-1044 Phone
907-269-3623 fax
James.McLaughlin@alaska.govDivision of Public Assistance
Attn: Staci Collier
3601 C Street, Ste 140
PO Box 241809
Anchorage, AK 99524
907-269-4518 phone
907-269-1064 fax
staci.collier@alaska.govDivision of Health Care Services
Certification and Licensing Section
Residential Care Licensing
Attn: Michelle Parker
4501 Business Park Blvd, Bldg L
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-334-2526 phone
907-269-3622 fax
Michelle.parker@alaska.govDivision of Health Care Services
Certification and Licensing Section
Health Facilities Certification and Licensing
Attn: Karen Walsh Murphy, RN
4501 Business Park Blvd
Suite 24 Bldg L
Anchorage, AK 99503-7167
907-334-2495 phone
907-334-2682 fax
Karen.Murphy@alaska.govDivision of Senior and Disabilities Services
Attn: Patrick Walker
550 W 8th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
907- 269-3673 phone
907-269-3690 fax
patrick.walker@alaska.govOffice of Children’s Services
Attn: KariLee Pietz
130 Seward Street, Room 406
P. O. Box 110630
Juneau, AK 99811-0630
907-465-3209 phone
907-465-2061 fax
karilee.pietz@alaska.gov
A3. How much does a background check cost and where do I send the money and application documentation?
Effective March 16, 2012, the initial cost of a new application is $76.50 which includes $25 for processing the application and $51.50 for processing both state and federal finger prints.
A $25 verification fee applies only to an existing background check for purposes of verification of clearance.
The $25 application and verification fees are waived for unpaid volunteers, for applicability requirements please see 7 AAC10.910(b)(6), or if you have questions contact the state program overseeing your entity.
The check should be made out to State of Alaska; the check with all required application documentation should be mailed to:
Division of Health Care Services
Certification and Licensing Section
Background Check Program
4501 Business Park Blvd, Bldg L
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 334-4475
Fax (907) 269-3488
BCUnit@alaska.gov
A4. What happens if the $25 application fee is not submitted?
If the $25 background check processing or validation fee is not received within 30 days the entity will be notified that the provisional clearances for unpaid applicants will be canceled and their ability to submit applications will be suspended two weeks from the date of notification until all outstanding fees are paid.
A5. What happens to a new application if the processing fees, and required application documentation are not submitted?
If the processing fees, and required application documentation are not submitted within 30 days the entity will be notified of the missing requirements; 30 days later the entity will again be notified of the missing requirements, and that the provisional clearance will be canceled ten (10) days from notification because of an incomplete application.
A6. What records are checked by the BCP before a provisional clearance is issued?
Before issuing a provisional clearance to an individual wishing to become a direct care service provider, the BCP conducts an exhaustive background check. This background check includes records from both Alaska and those states the individual has lived in for the past 10 years. Records searched are:
Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) - APSIN serves as a central repository for Alaska criminal justice information. This information is also known as an “Interested Persons Report;”
Alaska Court System/Court View and Name Index - Provides civil and criminal case information and is used to assist in determination of disposition for cases in APSIN;
Juvenile Offender Management Information System (JOMIS) – JOMIS is the primary repository for juvenile offense history records for the State of Alaska, Division of Juvenile Justice;
Centralized Registry (employee misconduct registry) - Includes those persons which have been investigated by a state investigator for abuse, neglect and/or exploitation, found guilty of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation, and due process has been provided. Alaska and other states (birth and residence) as applicable;
Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) Registry – Professional registry listing those individuals certified to perform duties as a CNA. In some states, this registry also serves an abuse registry. Alaska and other states (birth and residence) as applicable;
National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR)- The NSOR provides centralized access to registries from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia; and
Office of Inspector General (OIG) - a database which provides information relating to parties excluded from participation in the Medicare, Medicaid and all Federal health care programs.
And any other records/registries the Department deems are applicable.
A8. Can a program be issued multiple facility numbers, and if so, can we use only one provider number since we utilize employees between programs?
Maybe, contact the BCP for possible consolidation of your provider numbers.
A9. Where do the applicants go for fingerprinting?
Check your local phonebook or talk with your local public safety official to find fingerprinting services in your area.
A10. What will the cost of fingerprinting be?
The cost of fingerprinting is determined by the company you choose to roll your prints..
A11. When must an individual submit a new application for background check, if their background check was conducted less than six years ago?
A new background check is required anytime an individual is not associated with DHSS Licensed or certified service provider for 100 days or more. For questions regarding specific individuals, please contact the state program overseeing your entity.
A12. How does an agency verify the status of a completed background check of an individual that has not been associated with an agency for less than 100 days?
The agency who wishes to employ the individual must submit an application for background check and pay the $25 verification fee.
A13. When does an agency not have to pay the $25 background check application or verification fee?
The $25 background check application or verification fees do not have to be paid for if an application is in process and then cancelled..
A14. When can an application for background check be reactivated?
Only an incomplete application for background check may be reactivated. The request for reactivation request must be made by the agency who submitted the applications within 30 days from the date it is cancelled.
Forms
B1. Can the Release of Information Authorization be a copy instead of original?
Yes and please check our website under NEW: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF RELEASE OF INFORMATION (ROI) FORMS, so you can further streamline your application.
B2. What if I can't download the forms?
Contact the BCP for assistance.
B3. Can all the forms be sent in with the fingerprint cards?
Effective 3/01/2012, only complete applications will be processed, which means all required forms, information must accompany the fingerprint cards, unless otherwise notified.
B4. Can I mail the required application documents to the BCU?
Yes, applications for background checks submitted by the facility can be mailed to:
Division of Health Care Services
Certification and Licensing Section
Background Check Program
4501 Business Park Blvd, Bldg L
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 334-4475
Fax (907) 269-3488
BCUnit@alaska.gov
B5. Can the required application documents be hand carried to and dropped off?
Yes, applications for background checks submitted by the facility can be brought to:
Division of Health Care Services
Certification and Licensing Section
Background Check Program
4501 Business Park Blvd, Bldg L
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 334-4475
Fax (907) 269-3488
BCUnit@alaska.gov
For more information, please contact us at bcu@health.state.ak.us
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