Caregiver background check rules in Georgia

Yes. Georgia requires a criminal background check before a caregiver works with clients, using fingerprints. Licensed private home care providers are covered by the Georgia Long-Term Care Background Check Program, which uses fingerprint-based national criminal history checks submitted through GCIC plus registry checks. A conviction generally stops counting once ten years have passed after the sentence is completed, except for certain serious crimes listed in O.C.G.A. 42-8-60.

What does the check include?

What should you confirm with the state?

The license fee and renewal term aren't listed in the rules; confirm them with the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Health. Fingerprint-based checks for private home care providers are required under Chapter 111-8-12.

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.