Caregiver background check rules in District of Columbia

Yes. District of Columbia requires a criminal background check before a caregiver works with clients. Home care agencies must comply with the Health-Care Facility Unlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Act: unlicensed staff may not be employed until a criminal background check is done, through the Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Department of Justice, or a private agency. Convictions within the 7 years before the check for listed offenses (such as assault, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, and drug distribution) are disqualifying, and anyone on the Nurse Aide Abuse Registry may not be hired.

What does the check include?

What should you confirm with the state?

The license fee depends on annual patient census, and renewal timing is set in 22-B DCMR Chapter 31; confirm both with DC Health. The agency licensing rule lists 75 hours of aide training, but aides must be certified home health aides through the DC Board of Nursing, whose curriculum requires 125 hours. The law doesn't say whether background checks must be fingerprint-based, so confirm that with DC Health as well.

What other checks should you run?

Agencies that bill Medicaid or Medicare should also check the HHS Office of Inspector General exclusion list before hire and monthly, because payments for services by an excluded person can be recovered. If you use a background screening company, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires written disclosure and the applicant's authorization first.