Background Screening FAQs

Refers to a state and national fingerprint-based check and consideration of disqualifying offenses and applies to those employees designated by law as holding positions of responsibility or trust. Section 435.04, Florida Statutes mandates Level 2 security background investigations be conducted on employees, defined as individuals required by law to be fingerprinted pursuant to Chapter 435, Florida Statutes.

When scheduling an appointment with your chosen Livescan provider, you may be required to select the reason for screening. Make sure to select the Florida Department of Health/Division of Medical Quality Assurance.

You can check the status of your screening with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) by entering your Transaction Control Number (TCN) here:

https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/tcnlookup?3

If you are unable to view the status, please confirm with the Livescan provider that they have submitted your fingerprints to FDLE and that your TCN is correct. You may search for screenings completed within the last 6 months. We cannot research the status of your screening until it shows as ‘Complete’ on the TCN lookup site.

Make sure to confirm the following information with the Livescan provider BEFORE you visit the location or set up your appointment.

1. Are they able to submit your fingerprints electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement?
2. Are they able to submit a photograph electronically with your fingerprint submission?
3. Confirm that they are not using Livescan machines with Windows XP*.
• a. If the service provider does not know, they should reach out to their vendor from whom they purchased/leased their machine.

*Windows XP is not compatible with the Florida Clearinghouse system, therefore if you use a provider that is running Windows XP, you will NOT be entered into the Clearinghouse for our agency to view your results. This may result in having to complete a new screening.

Effective July 1, 2025, applicants for all professions (Emergency medical technicians, paramedics, pharmacy interns, registered pharmacy technicians, and radiologic technicians are exempt unless applying through the military active-duty spouse licensure pathway. Fingerprint retention requirements do not apply to these professions.) are required to obtain a Level 2 background screening.

• If applying for initial licensure, you must complete the new background screening as part of your application.
• If renewing your license, be prepared to complete the screening requirements ahead of your next renewal date.

The renewal period begins approximately 90-120 days before your license expires. Visit the “Florida Boards” tab at www.FLHealthSource.gov, select your board, click on renewals, and choose your profession for more details about the renewal process.

Please refer to the list of Screened and Non-Screened professions on this site, under the Screening Requirements tab.

Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) is a single data source used to retain and allow sharing of the results among participating agencies when a person has applied to volunteer, be employed, be licensed, or enters into a contract that requires a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history check under Section 435.12, Florida Statutes.

Please refer to the Fingerprint Retention Requirements tab for additional information on the Clearinghouse.

The Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) system is a website in Florida that allows individuals to manage their fingerprint retention requirements. The CHAI system is used for background screenings that involve criminal history checks.

CHAI is used for the following:

• Initiating a new screening.
• Retaining fingerprints per FBI/FDLE requirements.
• Scheduling an appointment with a LiveScan provider to obtain a screening (in Florida only).

Per Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and FBI requirements, an individual submitting a set of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a search for any Florida and national criminal history records must read documents regarding sharing, retention, privacy and right to challenge incorrect criminal history records and a “Privacy Statement” from the FBI. Once they have read the documents, they must sign and date an acknowledgement form.

Per FDLE and FBI requirements, in order for the Department of Health to have access to your background screening information, you must read and sign your Privacy Policy Affirmation statement.

To complete the privacy statement, you will need to log into Versa Online, navigate to “Manage my License”, and complete the Submit Privacy Policy For BGS application.

DOH can access that background screening if you complete the required privacy statement. To complete the privacy statement, you will need to log into your MQA Online Services Account, navigate to “Manage my License”, and complete the Submit Privacy Policy For BGS application.

In the traditional method of fingerprinting, ink is applied to each of your fingers which are then rolled across a fingerprint card to obtain your prints. With electronic fingerprinting, there is no ink or card. Your fingerprints are rolled across a glass plate and scanned. It is faster and cleaner than the traditional method. Electronic fingerprinting reduces the likelihood of illegible fingerprints and will reduce the overall application processing time. Please see below for the steps to completing the fingerprinting process:

1. Register with the CHAI system (refer to the User Guide if you experience issues).
2. Choose 'Initiate New Screening' in CHAI and Create your Profile.
3. Schedule an Appointment with a Livescan provider (you can do this in CHAI or simply refer to our 'Locate a Provider' tab).
4. Bring your ORI Number and complete your fingerprinting appointment. The Livescan provider will submit your fingerprints and a photograph electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and give you a Transaction Control Number (TCN) – save this number.
5. FDLE will conduct a Level II background check and send the results to the Agency for Health Care Administration's (AHCA's) Clearinghouse.
6. The Department of Health will view your screening results in the AHCA Clearinghouse to determine your eligibility for licensure.

We can only view previous results if they were submitted by a FDLE approved and Clearinghouse compliant Livescan service provider and entered or retained in the Clearinghouse system within the last five years by one of the specified agencies defined in s. 435.02(5), Florida Statutes. If these conditions apply and your previous screening meets the current screening standards required by the Department of Health, then it is possible that you may not need to submit a new background check. If you are still not sure if your last screening meets this criteria, please contact the Background Screening Unit at mqa.backgroundscreen@flhealth.gov to verify that they are able to view your results.

Note: If you are applying for a Multi-State Upgrade or an Employment Exemption, your screening must be completed within 90 days of the submission of your application (or any time after the submission of your application). This means that even if you have valid results in the Clearinghouse, you may be required to complete a new screening if those results are more than 90 days older than your application received date.

The application is valid for one year after submission. If you get your fingerprints done by a FDLE approved and Clearinghouse compliant Livescan service provider or vendor, and your prints are entered into the Clearinghouse as is required, then your prints will be retained for five years. If you choose to submit your application before your fingerprints, you may receive a deficiency letter since they cannot process the application without the results, which could cause delay.

Effective July 1, 2025, if you were not screened through a state and federal (Level 2 background screening) review, and you’re a screened profession, you must comply with the background screening requirements established in section 456.0135, F.S., by your next licensure renewal.

The renewal period begins approximately 90-120 days before your license expires. Visit the “Florida Boards” tab at www.FLHealthSource.gov, select your board, click on renewals, and choose your profession for more details about the renewal process.

Log into the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) Website www.CHAI.FLClearinghouse.com using a one-time use code sent to your email to create your account. CHAI assists with identifying the Originating Agency Identification (ORI) Number for your profession and scheduling a screening appointment with a Livescan provider. Each health care profession has a specific ORI number that ensures fingerprint results are available for your application review. The ORI will be populated on your appointment form.

If you are renewing your license, the system will automatically check if the window to retain your prints is opened (renewal opens 60 days before your Retained Prints Expiration Date). If eligible, you will be directed to the “Check Renewal Availability” screen.

Additionally, you can use the 'Locate a Provider' tab on https://flhealthsource.gov/background-screening/bgs-providers/ website. Before initiating a screening, we encourage you to register and create a profile through CHAI first, even if you locate a provider with the list on this website. **

The Department of Health accepts fingerprints electronically submitted through a service provider approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and who is photo capable and in compliance with the requirements of Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse pursuant to section 435.04(1)(e), Florida Statutes. This means you must choose a provider from one of the sources listed above.

** It has been noted that there is a greater likelihood of the results automatically loading to your application file without delay when you create a profile through CHAI first.

Provide the following to the LiveScan service provider:

1. All applicants will be required to bring two (2) forms of identification to the electronic fingerprinting site on the day of fingerprinting. One of the two types of identification must bear your picture and signature such as a driver's license, state identification card or passport.
2. If you are an applicant seeking a license for any profession regulated by the Department of Health which requires a criminal background search as a condition of licensure, you must provide accurate demographic information at the time your fingerprints are taken, including your Social Security number. If you are unable to legally obtain a social security number, you must provide an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Please be sure to provide your profession's ORI number and other demographic information.
3. You must provide the correct ORI number. If you apply online, there is a form that you can print out that will have your ORI number prepopulated. In the paper application, you can locate your ORI number in the instructions. A complete list of ORI numbers can also be found on this site under "Screened Professions" on the Screening Requirements tab.
4. In addition to compliance with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement transmission requirements, the Livescan Service Providers will need the following information in order for the Department to receive the results appropriately. Failure to submit this information may result in the Department's inability to obtain screening results:
   1. Full Name
   2. Address (the individual's address is needed for the Agency to make contact if necessary)
   3. Social Security Number (or Tax ID Number. Section 435.04(1)(e), Florida Statutes)
   4. Date of Birth
   5. Race
   6. Sex
   7. Weight
   8. Height
   9. Weight
   10. Hair Color
   11. Eye Color
   12. Place of Birth
   13. Employer Name
   14. Employer Address
   15. Screening ORI Number

5. Note: Although the ITIN will be sufficient to complete the background screening requirement, you will still need a social security number to be licensed by our agency. A social security number is a statutory requirement for licensure. You will not be granted a license until you are able to provide the Department with a valid social security number. If this information needs updating, you will need to mail a copy of your social security card to the appropriate board office for update.

If you apply online, there is a form that you can print out which will have your ORI number prepopulated. In the paper application, you can locate your ORI number in the instructions. A complete list of ORI numbers can also be found on this site under Screened Professions on the Screening Requirements tab.

Obtain your receipt showing payment date, TCN (Transaction Control Number) and other pertinent information in case you need to go back to them for assistance.

Note: You can check the status of this transaction with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement by entering your TCN here:
https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/tcnlookup?3

On average, 24 to 72 hours. You can check the status of your screening with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement by entering your TCN here: https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/tcnlookup?3

Note: Your results should auto-load to your file within 24-72 hours; however, it may take longer for your application status to show the background screening as complete. Board staff must manually verify your results before they remove that as a deficient item. If you're not sure if we received your results, please email your file number and TCN to mqa.backgroundscreen@flhealth.gov.

The total fee charged by each service provider varies. Please contact them to obtain this information. You can view the service provider options and contact information on the Locate a Provider tab by clicking on the county you are interested in.

Livescan is a term relating to the scanners used to directly capture fingerprints through a scanning function. Persons being screened place their hands directly on the scanner for reading. Their fingerprints are rolled, individually, across a glass plate. Fingerprint scanning using a Livescan device provides faster results, and generally costs less than hard card scanning as there is less handling involved. Livescan capture also produces a higher quality print, so there is a lower rejection rate of illegible prints (no ink smudging, etc.) and will reduce the overall application processing time.

Hard card scanning is a method of submitting a traditional fingerprint card where fingerprints are "rolled," in ink onto an FBI fingerprint card. Cards are then converted to "electronic," by using a machine that scans the cards. There is typically a fee associated with "rolling the prints," as a high degree of skill is required to achieve the necessary quality and another fee for the conversion of the prints to an electronic format.

It is statutorily required for you to have a photograph taken at the time of fingerprinting to be entered into the Clearinghouse. Without it, your screening can NOT be shared among state agencies. For a screening to be Clearinghouse-compliant and thus shareable, you must have:

• Retained fingerprints
• Photograph
• Signed privacy policy

Note: If you must complete the screening without a photograph (sometimes necessary with the hard card process) then your results may be entered in the Clearinghouse; however, they will not be shareable. For example, if you use an AHCA ORI number and do not have a photograph taken, the Department of Health cannot view or use the results of that screening for your application/license.

Please refer to the list of FDLE approved and Clearinghouse compliant Livescan service providers located on this site under the Livescan Service Provider tab. You can search for your local sheriff's office on that list. If you choose to use your local sheriff's office, please be aware that payment must be processed through the Civilian Applicant Payment System (CAPS) by credit card within 30 days of being printed. Applicants will not have the option of paying at the sheriff's office. CAPS payment can be completed at https://caps.fdle.state.fl.us/caps/app/start.

Yes. Applicants outside of Florida have two options for completing the Livescan fingerprinting:

Livescan

The most straightforward way to complete this process out of state is to locate a provider with LiveScan locations near you who have their equipment registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). You can locate this type of provider by viewing our out of state list and referring to the far right column. If that column states 'Livescan' then they have machines that can submit your fingerprints directly to Florida.

Hard Card Scanning

If you are unable to find an actual Livescan location near you, you can follow the outline below to complete this requirement using fingerprint hard cards.

1. Obtain fingerprint hard cards. You can check to see if the local police or fingerprinting facility have FD-258 hard cards available, or you can work with one of the Livescan providers from the list to have them send you the cards.
2. Take the hard cards to a local fingerprinting facility or police station to have your fingerprints captured on them.
3. Mail the completed hard cards to one of the providers on our Out of State list: /out-of-state-providers.
   1. Please be sure to contact a few of the providers to inquire about their process, availability, and fees.
   2. The provider will need the correct ORI number for your profession. This can be found on our background screening website under "Screened Professions.”
4. The provider will convert the hard card to an electronic format and submit it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for you.

All criminal history checks for screened professions must be initiated through the Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse where they will be retained for a period of 5 years. To meet the requirements of the Clearinghouse, AHCA has verified if an applicant is unable to legally obtain a social security number, they must provide an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Please visit the website for the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service to apply for one of these required government issued numbers.

Exception: If you are applying by exam for the Board of Nursing or for a temporary Medical license from the Board of Medicine, then you may complete a screening without providing a Social Security Number. This screening will not be entered into the Clearinghouse but will be accessible to us as long as you use a Department of Health ORI number. If you must complete the screening without a SSN, please email us at mqa.backgroundscreen@flhealth.gov with your TCN number so we can manually request and upload your results to your application file.

Note: You will still need a social security number to be licensed by our agency. A social security number is a statutory requirement for licensure, and having your results retained in the Clearinghouse is a statutory requirement for licensure. You will not be granted a license until you are able to provide the Department with a valid social security number. Remember to send a copy of your Social Security Card to our team and to your board office once you have obtained one. We will verify that your fingerprint results have been added to the Clearinghouse and the board office will make sure our licensure system is updated.

There are several reasons you might receive a deficiency letter. Some of the common reasons and associated actions you should take include:

• Your fingerprints were not received prior to the letter being mailed. In this case you will need to contact your Livescan service provider to determine if they have submitted the prints to FDLE for processing. You can check the status of this transaction with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement by entering your TCN here: https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/tcnlookup?3
• You did not get fingerprinted by a FDLE approved and Clearinghouse compliant Livescan service provider or vendor. Check the list on this website under the Locate a Provider tab to see if your service provider is on it. If not, you will need to choose another provider from this list.
• Your fingerprints were not accepted by the Clearinghouse because of missing information, such as the required social security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) or other important information. If this is the case, you will need to contact the Agency for Health Care Administration at BGScreen@ahca.myflorida.com or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at ApplicantChecks@fdle.state.fl.us to determine the exact cause for the delay and how you should proceed.*

This is often resolved by submitting your TCN, a copy of your Social Security Card, and a photo ID to AHCA at BGScreen@ahca.myflorida.com. They will add the missing information to your screening and make it viewable to DOH.

If it is determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that your prints were not legible, the Department will send you a letter asking you to return to the same service provider who did your initial prints and schedule a re-roll of your prints.

You will be required to bring the Department's notification letter with you as information such as the TCN (Transaction Control Number) and TCR (Transaction Control Reference) must be identified and used at the time of the resubmission. After your first rejection, you have 180 days to get them redone without being charged the FBI fee. After this time, you will be responsible for any costs associated with the re-roll of your fingerprints.

There is no further action to be taken by you or the Department. Unfortunately, this is an FBI process, and it can take up to 8 weeks.

The Department of Health does not regulate Livescan Service Providers. As an applicant, you have the choice to select any provider on the Livescan Service Provider list and will be fully responsible for following up with your provider to ensure that they timely submit your prints, electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. We suggest that you ask the service provider for a receipt showing payment date, TCN, TCR and other pertinent information in case you need to go back to them for assistance .

Please review the following information from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) regarding Criminal History Record Information Sharing: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records/Record-Check (Scroll to Criminal History Record Information Sharing).

Note: You can request a copy of your criminal history record directly from FDLE and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Pursuant to 28 CFR 16.34, if, after reviewing your record, you believe that it is incorrect or incomplete in any respect and wish to make changes, corrections or update the alleged deficiency, you should make application directly to the agency which contributed the questioned information (the arresting agency and/or the appropriate judicial system).

You may also direct your challenge as to the accuracy or completeness of any entry on the record to the FBI, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, ATTN: SCU, Mod. D-2, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306. The FBI will then forward the challenge to the agency which submitted the data requesting that agency to verify or correct the challenged entry. Upon the receipt of an official communication directly from the agency which contributed the original information, the FBI CJIS Division will make any changes necessary in accordance with the information supplied by that agency.

The link below will take you to FDLE’s process for handling challenges to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the criminal history record. This process can take up to 6-8 weeks.

http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records/Personal-Review.aspx

Once your prints have been entered into the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, they will be retained for 5 years.

We can only view previous results if they were submitted by a FDLE approved and Clearinghouse compliant Livescan Service Provider and entered into the Clearinghouse within the last five years by one of the specified agencies defined in s. 435.02(5), Florida Statutes. If these conditions apply and your previous screening meets the current screening standards required by the Department of Health, then it is possible that you may not need to submit a new background check.

If you are still not sure if your last screening meets this criteria, please contact the Background Screening Unit at mqa.backgroundscreen@flhealth.gov to verify that they are able to view your results.

If it is determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that your prints were not legible, the Department will send you a letter asking you to return to the same service provider who did your initial prints and schedule a re-roll of your prints.

You will be required to bring the Department's notification letter with you as information such as the TCN (Transaction Control Number) and TCR (Transaction Control Reference) must be identified and used at the time of the resubmission. After your first rejection, you have 180 days to get them redone without being charged the FBI fee. After this time, you will be responsible for any costs associated with the re-roll of your fingerprints.

There is no further action to be taken by you or the Department. Unfortunately, this is an FBI process, and it can take up to 8 weeks.

You will need to report all criminal history except for minor traffic offenses. DUI/DWI and reckless driving are not considered minor traffic offenses for this purpose.

Yes, you will need to report those charges.

Yes, you will need to report those charges. Professions licensed by the Department of Health are required to disclose sealed charges.

Please refer to the FDLE Website: Sealed & Expunged Records for additional information.

If you failed to disclose a criminal conviction on your application for licensure, you will be required to submit all supporting documentation pertaining to the conviction. Once your file has been deemed complete, the Board will contact you if they need additional information.

The application will remain incomplete until it expires.

No, documents do not need to be certified; however, you will need to submit:

• Self-Explanation – a letter written in your own words that describe the circumstances surrounding each offense, including date, city, state, charges, and final outcome.
• Court Dispositions – Actual documentation from the County Clerk of Courts in the jurisdiction (state/county) in which the offense(s) occurred, including disposition/final outcome. You may be able to obtain this online through the clerk of court website. NOTE: Have all alias/maiden names included in the search.
• Arrest Report(s) – a copy of the arrest report for each offense. If you are unable to obtain a copy from the Clerk of Court, you can request a copy from the arresting agency.
• Probation/Parole or PTI Letters (If applicable) – proof that you completed all court-ordered probation/parole or PTI (Pre-trial intervention). This documentation must be issued by the probation office and must include the start date and termination date of your probation or supervised release.
• Receipt of Payment (If applicable) – proof that all fines, restitution, or other court costs have been paid in full for each offense. This documentation can be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county in which the offense occurred and must include the date on which the payment/completion of the sanction was satisfied.

Note: You can upload documentation along with your initial, renewal or exemption application. Additionally, you can send criminal history documents to MQA.BackgroundScreen@flhealth.gov, or by fax (850) 617-6290 or mail:

If there are no documents, you must obtain a letter from the clerk of courts stating that there was no documentation for that specific incident.

All criminal history checks for our screened professions must be initiated through the Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse where they will be retained for a period of 5 years. To meet the requirements of the Clearinghouse, AHCA has verified if an applicant is unable to legally obtain a social security number, they must provide an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Please visit the website for the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service to apply for one of these required government issued numbers.

Note: Although the ITIN will be sufficient to complete the background screening requirement, you will still need a social security number to be licensed by our agency. A social security number is a statutory requirement for licensure. You will not be granted a license until you are able to provide the Department with a valid social security number. If this information needs updating, you will need to mail a copy of your social security card to the appropriate board office for update.

Pursuant to Section 456.039(3), Florida Statutes, you must notify the Department in writing within 45 days after the occurrence of the event.

Your license may be disciplined for failure to report the offense and for being convicted or having adjudication withheld for a crime relating to the practice.

If the result of the background report shows arrests and offenses, or incomplete dispositions, you will receive a notice from your profession’s Board office requesting additional information. Depending on the types and seriousness of the offenses, your file may go before the Board for further review. If the Board denies your file, you will receive an official Intent to Deny Order and will have right of appeal.

We cannot make determinations in advance, as laws and rules do change over time. However, you can review Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes to view a list of automatic disqualifying offenses prior to applying. You should also review Chapter 435 and Section 408.809, Florida Statutes for disqualifying offenses related to employment.

If you are being denied licensure, you will receive an Intent to Deny Order. On that order, there will be specifics regarding your right to appeal or other options you might have.

If you would like to obtain a copy of your background report to review it for accuracy or completeness, you may submit a request in writing to the Background Screening Unit identifying the reason for the request and providing satisfactory proof of identity (full name & date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security Number, and your license or file number with the Department).

The Florida Department of Health reviews applications and makes decisions for Licensed and certified health care professionals, as long as the person is working in the scope of his or her license or certification (for example: CNA, LPN, RN).

If you are unsure if you require an exemption, please contact AHCA at 850-412-4503 to verify that you have been disqualified from employment.

AHCA reviews applications and makes decisions on Exemptions for:

• Unlicensed personnel working for a health care provider.
• Facility owners, administrators, or Chief Financial Officers
• Medicaid Provider Enrollment
• Medicaid Managed Care Health Plan

This may include licensed personnel not working within the scope of their license (for example: a CNA working as an HHA).

For more information regarding the exemption process with AHCA, visit https://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Central_Services/Background_Screening/exemption.shtml, or call 850-412-4503.

Please complete an employment exemption application and return to Background Screening Unit via:

• By email: MQA.BackgroundScreen@flhealth.gov
• By fax: (850) 617-6290
• By mail:
  Background Screening Unit Florida Department of Health 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin BSU-01 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3260

There is no application fee for an Employment Exemption Application.

No. Proof of court ordered Pre-Trial Intervention, probation or parole completion must be submitted before an exemption can be considered.

No. All court-ordered fee, fine, fund, lien, civil judgement, application, cost of prosecution, trust, or restitution as part of the judgement and sentence for any disqualifying felony or misdemeanor offense must be paid in full.

No. A final disposition of the case must be submitted before an exemption can be considered.

For all disqualifying felonies, at least 2 years must have elapsed since the completion of probation, or confinement, supervision or nonmonetary conditions imposed by the court has been completed.

No. The Department of Health (DOH) can only issue an exemption on individuals licensed by DOH. If you are not licensed by the DOH, please contact the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

Processing times for employment exemption applications vary by licensing board. You may contact your licensing board for more information.

No. The board office will notify AHCA on your behalf.

No.

For example: If you hold a Nursing and Massage Therapist license you will have to request an exemption for each license.

Your LiveScan results must have been completed within the last 90 days from receiving the exemption application.

If you have already completed a Level II screening with AHCA within the last 90 days, you are not required to complete LiveScan fingerprints.

Note: In the event we cannot verify your screening with AHCA, you may be required to complete the LiveScan fingerprint requirement again.

A resubmission is like a new screening, but the applicant does not have to go to a LiveScan vendor to have their prints taken. The resubmission uses the person’s retained prints and resubmits them to obtain a new, up-to-date criminal history report. This provides a cost savings for applicants in the Clearinghouse that have had a lapse in employment greater than 90 days.

Resubmissions are initiated through AHCA’s Background Screening website by an AHCA, Medicaid, or Managed Care provider.

Please send this request with your license number and full name via email to mqa.backgroundscreen@flhealth.gov. Allow 24-48 business hours for a response.

No. Documents do not need to be certified; however, you will need to submit the following documentation:

• AHCA’s letter of Disqualification – You must submit your letter of disqualification from AHCA.
• Court Sentencing/Disposition(s) – Actual documentation from the County Clerk of Courts in the jurisdiction (state/county) in which the offense(s) occurred, including disposition/final outcome. You may be able to obtain this online through the Clerk of Court website. Note: Have all alias/maiden names included in the search.
• Arrest Report(s) – A copy of the arrest report for each offense. If you are unable to obtain a copy from the Clerk of Court, you can request a copy from the arresting agency.
• Probation/Parole or PTI Letter(s) – You must submit proof of completion of all court ordered probation/parole or PTI (Pre-trial Intervention). This documentation must be issued by the probation office and must include the start date and termination date of your probation or supervised release.
• Receipt of Payment – Proof that all fee, fine, funds, lien, civil judgment, application, cost of prosecution, trust, or restitution as part of the judgment and sentence for any disqualifying felony or misdemeanor are paid in full.
• Proof of Rehabilitation – You must submit proof of rehabilitation which may include letters from employer’s records of successful participation in a rehabilitation program(s), further education or training, special awards or recognition, or documentation that indicates you are not a danger to the safety or well-being of others.
• Recommendation Letters – You must submit three (3) current (written within the last year) letters of professional recommendation on official letterhead from employers, nursing program administrators, nursing instructors, health professionals, professional counselors, support group sponsors, parole or probation officers, or other individuals in positions of authority who are familiar with your past and present character.

Depending on how long it has been since you were initially licensed, your documents may no longer be on file. Please submit all documents requested as part of the exemption application to eliminate your application from being deficient.

You can upload documentation along with your initial, renewal or exemption application. Additionally, you can send criminal history documents to MQA.BackgroundScreen@flhealth.gov, or by fax (850) 617-6290 or mail:

You must make an attempt to obtain this documentation from the Clerk of Courts office, probation office or arresting agency. Documentation from the Clerk of Court, Department of Corrections and/or the arresting agency must be provided on their letterhead indicating the document(s) are no longer available.

Rehabilitation includes successful completion of court-ordered treatment, counseling program, education, and training certificates; proof of participation in community activities; and special recognition or awards received. Rehabilitation can also be demonstrated by voluntary participation, as well.

One reference letter must be from a current or most recent employer on the employer’s letterhead. Other letters must be from individuals you have known for at least two years through contact at the workplace, community activities, education or training centers. Individuals providing a Letter of Recommendation should include their name, address and telephone number for verification or possible interview. In addition, each letter of recommendation must be signed and dated within 6 months of your application submission.

Employment exemptions are reviewed by the licensing board.

Each application is unique and requires individual review by your respective board. Please contact your licensing board for more information.

No. You must report convictions after licensure to your licensing board prior to applying for an exemption.

Each agency makes their own decisions regarding exemptions. If you have received an exemption from another state agency you may submit a copy with your application.

Retained prints are the fingerprints stored by Florida Department of Law Enforcement that are submitted by a Livescan provider for a background screening. The retained prints are maintained for 5 years. Please view the Screened Professions for a complete list of professions which require fingerprint screening and retention.

You are required to retain your fingerprints every 5 years. The window to retain fingerprints opens 75 days prior to the expiration date and closes 15 days prior to expiration, allowing 60 days to complete retention.

If you retain during the available window, before your expiration date, it costs $43.25. If you are trying to retain after your expiration date, the cost of a new screening is almost double the retention cost and set by the LiveScan Provider.

You are required to complete a new screening. The Department cannot extend your retention window. The cost of a new screening is almost double the retention cost and set by the LiveScan Provider.

The Department cannot extend your retention window because of the confidential and sensitive nature of the information. This protocol is set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and adhered to by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Retaining your fingerprints runs new national and state background checks so that the results stored in the Clearinghouse are current and valid. If fingerprints are not retained, the data is purged, and a new screening must be completed.

Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) is a single data source used to retain and allow sharing of the results among participating agencies when a person has applied to volunteer, be employed, be licensed, or enters into a contract that requires a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history check under Section 435.12, Florida Statutes.

To support you in this requirement, the Agency for Health Care Administration has launched a new online website referred to as the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) Website. The CHAI system is a website in Florida that allows individuals to manage their fingerprint retention requirements. The system is used for initiating background screenings that involve criminal history checks.

You may access CHAI system (refer to the User Guide if you experience issues), at any time to see if it is time to retain your fingerprints. Florida Department of Health will provide reminders of upcoming fingerprint expiration by email and mail so review your contact information periodically through your MQA Online account .

Effective July 1, 2025, applicants for all professions (excluding Dental Laboratories, Electrolysis Facilities, Office Surgery Registration, Pain Management Clinics, Optician Establishment, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Interns, Radiological Technicians, Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedics) are required to obtain a Level 2 background screening.

• If applying for initial licensure, you must complete the new background screening as part of your application.
• If renewing your license, be prepared to complete the screening requirements ahead of your next renewal date.

The renewal period begins approximately 90-120 days before your license expires. Visit the “Florida Boards” tab at www.FLHealthSource.gov, select your board, click on renewals, and choose your profession for more details about the renewal process.

Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance

Phone: (850) 488-0595

Email: mqa.backgroundscreen@flhealth.gov

ELI (Enforcement – Licensure – Information) is MQA’s new artificial intelligence system that will be transforming the customer service MQA provides by enabling the workforce to deliver exceptional service to our customers through online chat.

ELI is designed to answer common questions in a variety of different areas. Some areas include: licensure requirements, renewal requirements, fees, contact information, background screening, public records, and more.

If ELI cannot answer your question, he will ask you if you would like to be transferred to a live agent within the department. The live agent will be able to see the entire chat with ELI and help continue the conversation to help resolve your question quickly.

ELI will continue to learn from each question that gets sent to a live agent so in the future, he will be able to answer those questions.

ELI is available 24/7/365. ELI is here to help during and after traditional business hours. Many of our customers work long shifts and still need to contact the department, ELI is here to help during any time of the day.

ELI is designed to answer commonly asked questions from our customers. ELI has studied the website, past calls, and past emails to determine which questions customers frequently ask.

ELI will transfer you to a live agent within the department, unless after core business hours of 8-6pm est. ELI will then learn from your questions so in the future, he will be able to answer them and not have to transfer you to a live agent.

Not yet, the department is currently onboarding ELI for each board website. Please check back later to see if ELI is your new employee.

Please ask ELI, he will help you find the correct contact information for your issue.