Prevention. Promotion. Protection.

Welcome to the
Alaska Background Check Program

Learn more:

About the Program

The Alaska Background Check Unit (BCU) provides centralized background check support for programs that provide for the health, safety, and welfare of persons who are served by the programs administered by the Department of Health and Social Services (DH&SS).  Programs subject to the licensing and certification authority of DH&SS or are eligible to receive payments, in whole or in part, from the department are subject to the statutory requirements of: AS 47.05.300–47.05.390.

The goals of the ABC are to:

  1. Extend the background checks and fitness determination to all staff serving vulnerable populations in programs that are required by statute or regulation to be licensed or certified by DH&SS or is eligible to receive payments, in whole or in part, from the department;
  2. Develop and implement a comprehensive set of measurements and reports across all DH&SS licensed and certified long term care programs; and
  3. Develop and implement electronic data interchange interfaces for submission and reporting background investigation requests.

Upgraded On-Line Background Check Application

The Alaska Background Check Unit (BCU) is pleased to announce a new addition to the online background check application — Alaska Background Check System (ABCS). In an effort to meet the needs of our providers, the BCU is excited to implement a secure log-in feature to our public interface of the ABCS effective the evening of July 30, 2008. This feature will provide each agency with the following enhancements:

  • Secure login
  • Ability to change application status
  • Ability to view application status of “barred”
  • Ability to change contact information
  • Ability to change your password

The user manual will guide each agency through the process, step by step, of setting up and maximizing the features.  The set up and use of these new features will be available after 9:00 p.m. on July 30, 2008.  Please do not hesitate to contact the BCU if you have any questions or issues accessing the secure log in. 

Your feedback is important.  Please send all feedback and suggestions to Teresa.narvaez@alaska.gov. The BCU is looking forward to working with all agencies to develop enhancements which will provide the tools and solutions each agency needs to best assist in the background check process.

Note: You will need a Facility Identification Number in order to submit a background check application.  If you do not have this information, contact the BCU office at (907) 334-4475.

To complete a background check application, the following information must be submitted to the BCU office:

  • On-line Background Check Application.  If necessary, contact the BCU office to coordinate the submission of hard copy applications.  Please be aware that you may experience a delay in the processing of paper applications.
  • Release of Information Authorization Form.  Prior to notification of results of a background check, including issuance of a provisional clearance, a signed Release of Information Authorization form must be received by the BCU.
  • One (1) complete fingerprint card within thirty (30) days of receipt of application
  • Certification for Positive Identification of Fingerprinting(PDF 112 KB).” This form must be completed by the individual fingerprint roller and submitted with the fingerprint cards.
  • Required fees (checks payable to State of Alaska) must be submitted within thirty (30) days of receipt of application

Additional Provider Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers are provided by the Background Check Unit (BCU). Updated: April 8, 2008.

Alaska Background Check Program Newsletter

Background Check Statute and Regulations

On February 9, 2007, the DH&SS, BCU began processing background checks under the statutory requirements of AS 47.05.300–47.05.390, federal requirements, and 7 AAC 10.900-7 AAC 10.990.

The following contains information which may assist the agency in making a determination of suitability for an individual’s association within an agency:

  • AS 47.05.300–47.05.390. The current statute governing the background checks system used by the Department of Health and Social Services.
  • 7 AAC 10.900-7 AAC 10.990. The current regulation which provides a common, consistent definition of barrier conditions for all programs.
  • Changes to Regulations 7 AAC 10 - Licensing, Certification, and Approvals. Emergency regulations dealing with barrier crimes, criminal history checks, and the centralized registry have been adopted as permanent and become effective February 13, 2008. 7 AAC 10 was changed to allow the department to grant a variance under certain circumstances for individuals convicted of a crime that would otherwise be a permanent barrier under the regulations. The changes to the regulations include submittal requirements, criteria that the department will consider, and a review process that will be followed before a variance may be granted.
  • Barrier Crime Matrix.  An easy to use barrier crime matrix developed using the barrier crimes identified in 7 AAC 10.900-7 AAC 10.990.

Please contact your oversight agency if you have any questions.

For more information,
please contact us at:

bcu@health.state.ak.us
(907) 334-4475, intra-state toll free (888) 362-4228
or fax (907) 269-3488, intra-state toll free fax (888) 364-3488