The Background Check Center (BCC) was established through legislation passed in April of 2012. As a result, use of the BCC is required of all employers who provide long term care in licensed facilities and agencies within the state.  The licensed facilities have the oversight of two Delaware Health and Social Service (DHSS) entities, the Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ) and The Office of Health Facilities Licensing and Certification of the Division of Public Health. At this time, a total of 374 providers have been identified to participate in the BCC. The providers are made up of: skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes); assisted living communities; ICFs/DD; group homes; neighborhood homes; family care homes; rest residential facilities; home health care agencies; hospice care agencies; and, care provided by agencies in the individual’s residence. In addition, employers who provide temporary staffing in the above settings, and educational programs that provide clinical experience in any of the above settings, are also required to use the BCC for screening all individuals placed in these settings. Given the large number of employers involved, three groups have been created to address the unique needs and mission of each.


You may contact the BCC by phone (302)421-7405 or email DHSS_DLTCRP_BCC@delaware.gov. 

As of June 2018 the Criminal History Reports (fingerprints) are valid for 6 months from the last fingerprint date

The BCC will act as the hub of a spoked wheel (as seen in our logo) drawing information from nine different data sources of background information. Employers will be able to access all of this information from one source, the BCC, when screening applicants for any type of position in the designated long term care settings. The nine data sources include the following:

1.      Adult Abuse Registry

2.      Certified Nursing Assistant Registry

3.      Sex Offender Registry

4.      Office of the Inspector General Registry

5.      Child ProtectionRegistry

6.      Division of Professional Regulation Registry

7.      State and Federal Criminal background Checks

8.      Drug Screening

9.      Service Letters from prior employers

Before the BCC, employers accessed the above elements individually. This required a great deal of time, numerous paper reports, handling, and risk of exposing sensitive and personal information pertaining to applicants. It is expected that the BCC will greatly improve the process of screening job applicants and over time save money for employers. The BCC will also streamline the review process and reduce the amount of tracking of paper documents that currently exists.

The BCC has a feature known as the “Quick Background Check.” At the beginning of the screening process, and before any cost is incurred, the employer can access public registries 1 through 4 above to determine if any disqualifiers are on record which may influence the decision to hire.

A unique aspect of the BCC is the “Rap-back” process. The Rap-back will alert investigative staff of convictions and potential disqualifiers of employees in the BCC system going forward. In order for the Rap-back to include those “Grandfathered” employees hired prior to the original statute (July 1, 2001 for Home Care, March 31, 1999 for all other providers), they will be fingerprinted to obtain the SBI number. However, no criminal background check will be completed.

Use of the BCC is mandatory as of March/April 2013. After September 30, 2013, there will be a user fee for employers using the system. Funds received will cover the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the system.