CPP Facility Staff

Background Check Process
The California Health and Safety Code requires a background check of all applicants, licensees, adult residents, volunteers under certain conditions and employees of community care facilities who have contact with clients. If the California Department of Social Services finds that an individual has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, the individual cannot work or be present in any community care facility unless they receive a criminal record exemption from the Community Care Licensing Division, Caregiver Background Check Bureau (CBCB). Simply defined, an exemption is a Department authorized written document that "exempts" the individual from the requirement of having a criminal record clearance. CBCB also examines arrest records to determine if there is a possible danger to clients (Health & Safety Code sections 1522, 1568.08, 1569.17, and 1596.871).

• How the Background Check is Conducted When an individual submits fingerprints, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) conducts a background check. If the individual has no criminal history, DOJ will forward a clearance notice to the applicant or licensee and to CBCB. If the individual has a criminal history, DOJ will send a criminal record transcript to CBCB. The transcript will show arrests and convictions. CBCB staff will review the transcript and if the convictions are for crimes that may be exempted, CBCB will send an exemption notification letter to the applicant or licensee and to the individual. The letter explains how to request an exemption and lists the documents/information that must be submitted to request an exemption. The individual may not be present in the facility until an exemption is granted by CBCB.
• CRIMINAL RECORD CLEARANCE When an individual receives a criminal record clearance, he/she may work, reside or volunteer in a licensed facility. The clearance will remain active as long as the individual is associated to a licensed facility. If an individual is disassociated from a facility, he/she must be associated to another facility (or the same facility if rehired) within 3 years or he/she will become inactive. If an individual becomes inactive, he/she must be printed and cleared again before working, residing or volunteering in a licensed facility. A newly printed individual's clearance will be listed on the California Background Clearance Listing for 30 days. A licensee may verify clearances older than 30 days by calling their local CCLD Regional Office.