Idaho Background Check Unit

Phone

• 208-332-7990
• Toll Free: 800-340-1246         
• Fax: 208-332-7991

E-mail

bcu@dhw.idaho.gov

* When sending an email, please include a detailed description of your request. Please do not include passwords or other sensitive information (such as Social Security Numbers or Alien Registration Numbers). 

Mail

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Background Check Unit 
1720 Westgate Drive, Suite B
Boise, ID 83704

A criminal history and background check is a fingerprint-based check of an individual’s criminal record and other relevant records. All persons who are required to have a department criminal history and background check must complete an application on this website and be fingerprinted.

What you need to know

• Every applicant must obtain a payment code from the agency who is requiring the background check.
  • If you are applying for licensure or certification, adoption, or foster care please check with the department who is processing the licensure or certification to receive the payment code.
  • If this is for a private adoption, contact the adoption agency for their pay code.
• The application must be submitted online before a fingerprint appointment can be scheduled.
• Once the application has been submitted, the department must acquire the applicant’s fingerprints which can be completed in one of two ways:
  • The applicant can choose a convenient Department of Health and Welfare location and select an appropriate date and time
  • An applicant can opt to mail-in their background check materials by utilizing the Background Check Unit’s mail-in process

An enhanced clearance is a clearance issued by the department that includes a search of child protection registries in states or jurisdictions in which an applicant has resided during the preceding five years. Only certain individuals are subject to an enhanced background check.

Who Needs an enhanced background check?

• Adoptive Parent Applicants
• Behavioral Health Community Crisis Centers
• Behavioral Health Programs
• Certified Family Homes
• Children’s Residential Care Facilities
• Children’s Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
• Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)
• Licensed Foster Care
• Licensed Day Care
• Mental Health Services
• Nonhospital, Medically-Monitored Detoxification/Mental Health Diversion Units

People working in the department programs; those who are licensed or certified by the department; and those who have direct contact with children or vulnerable adults may need a criminal history and background check.

Each program has set guidelines that are specific to their program to determine which participants are required to have a Department of Health and Welfare criminal history and background check.

Who needs a background check?

• Adoptive Parent Applicants
• Behavioral Health Community Crisis Centers
• Behavioral Health Programs
• Certified Family Homes
• Children’s Residential Care Facilities
• Children’s Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
• Contracted Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Providers
• Court Appointed Guardians and Conservators
• Designated Examiners and Designated Dispositioners
• Developmental Agencies
• Emergency Medical Services
• High Risk Providers of Medicaid
• Home and Community Based Services
• Home Health Agencies
• Idaho Behavioral Health Program
• Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)
• Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
• Licensed Foster Care
• Licensed Day Care
• Mental Health Services
• Non-hospital, Medically-Monitored Detoxification/Mental Health Diversion Units
• Personal Assistance Agencies
• Personal Care Service Providers
• Residential Care or Assisted Living Facilities in Idaho
• Service Coordinators and Paraprofessional Providers
• Skilled Nursing and Intermediate Care Facilities
• Support Brokers and Community Support Workers

Once the background check is complete, the applicant and agency associated with the application will be notified by an automated email. The results letter will be available to view and print from the website.

An individual who receives an unconditional denial is not available to provide services, have access to, or be licensed or certified by the department.

Why would i receive an unconditional denial?

• Conviction of a disqualifying crime
• A relevant record or negative finding on any state’s Child Protection Registry (applies to enhanced background checks only)
• A relevant record on the Nurse Aide Registry
• A relevant record on either the state or federal sex offender registries
• A relevant record on any state or federal Medicare/Medicaid Exclusion List
• Making a materially false statement knowingly in connection to the department’s criminal history and background check application (applies to enhanced background checks only)

Please refer to IDAPA 16.05.06 for a list of disqualifying items

Yes. An individual has twenty-eight (28) days from the date the unconditional denial is issued to challenge the department’s unconditional denial. If the unconditional denial is not challenged within thirty (30) days, the status remains and it becomes the final order of the department.

How do I challenge an unconditional denial?

The applicant must submit the challenge in writing and provide court records or other information which demonstrates the department’s unconditional denial is incorrect.

If the individual challenges the department’s unconditional denial, the department will review the court records, documents, and other information provided by the individual. The department will issue a decision within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the challenge.

Standard background check fee: $70.00

Enhanced background check fee: $70.00 plus additional fees if applicable. These fees are generated when an applicant lists that they have lived in a state whose child protection registry checks charge an additional fee. The fee for the background check is visible on the applicant’s account once the application has been submitted.

What type of payment is accepted?

We can accept check, cash, money order, credit/debit card (with an additional $1.00 plus a 2.5% processing fee), or an invoice letter from an authorized agency.

Yes. The Department of Health and Welfare is not authorized to retain fingerprints and is required to submit a new set of fingerprints for each background check conducted.