Compliance
Caregiver Background Check Requirements: A Guide for Agencies
Most states require a criminal check before client contact, many fingerprint-based through the FBI. Five states' rules, FCRA steps, exclusion lists and rechecks.
What background checks do caregivers need in each state?
Whether a check is required, whether it uses fingerprints, and which registries the rule names. Pick a state for the details and the governing rule.
Last reviewed October 17, 2026
| State | Check required | Fingerprints |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes | Not specified |
| Arkansas | Yes | Not specified |
| California | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | No |
| Connecticut | Yes | No |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Not specified |
| Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes |
| Hawaii | Yes | Not specified |
| Idaho | Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | No |
| Iowa | Yes | No |
| Kansas | Yes | Not specified |
| Kentucky | Yes | Not specified |
| Louisiana | Yes | No |
| Maine | Yes | Not specified |
| Maryland | Yes | No |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Not specified |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes |
| Missouri | Yes | No |
| Nebraska | Yes | Not specified |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Not specified |
| New Jersey | Yes | Not specified |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes |
| New York | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | Yes | Not specified |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Not specified |
| Oregon | Yes | No |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Not specified |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | Yes | Not specified |
| South Dakota | No | Not specified |
| Tennessee | Yes | Not specified |
| Texas | Yes | Not specified |
| Utah | Yes | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes | Not specified |
| Washington | Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Yes | No |
How Caregiver Scheduling handles this
Caregiver Scheduling is a HIPAA-compliant tool, and location is captured only at check-in and check-out, so clients and families get verified visits without caregivers being tracked all day. See HIPAA and compliance.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
If you bill Medicaid or Medicare, yes in practice: payments for services furnished by an excluded person can be recovered, so agencies check the OIG list before hire and monthly.
Yes, but the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires a standalone written disclosure and the applicant’s written authorization before you order the report, and notices before and after any adverse decision.
It depends on the state. Some allow supervised work while a fingerprint check is pending; others do not. See your state page.
Related guides
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How Do You Hire Caregivers in a Week Without Skipping Checks?
A seven-day caregiver hiring process: same-day reply, 24-hour phone screen, interview by day 3, conditional offer, background check and I-9 on time, shadow shift by day 7.
Recruiting
What Should a Caregiver Onboarding Checklist Include?
Three stages: paperwork, screening and training before the first shift, a supported first shift, and check-ins through day 90. Federal deadlines included.
These free tools are made by the team behind Caregiver Scheduling, caregiver scheduling software for home care agencies.
Simple pricing
From $199 /month
Up to 10 caregivers on Starter, 50 on Growth.
More than 50 caregivers? We'll put together a custom Scale plan for your agency.