Georgia Criminal History Check System (GCHEXS)

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IMPORTANT NOTICE ON FINGERPRINT BACKGROUND CHECKS

Updated Rule Variance for Fingerprint Criminal Background Checks: Chapter 111-8-12.05(1)(e) - Effective through March 30, 2023  - Posted 12/21/22

Applicable to:

• Adult Day Centers
• Assisted Living Communities
• Home Health Agencies
• Hospices
• Intermediate Care Homes
• Nursing Homes
• Personal Care Homes
• Private Home Care Providers

COVID-19 Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Guidance

IMPORTANT: Effective October 1, 2019, prospective owners, administrators, directors, managers as well as job applicants who have direct access to clients will be required to have a criminal background check which includes a state and FBI fingerprint check. In addition, by January 1, 2022, all current owners and direct access employees will be required to complete a criminal background check. The following facility types will require a background check: 

• Adult Day
• Assisted Living 
• Home Health
• Hospice 
• Intermediate Care Homes
• Nursing Homes
• Personal Care Homes 
• Private Home Care 

In addition, please click here to see a list of licensed health care providers who are exempt from the state fingerprint background check requirements as long as the employer checks with the applicable licensing board to verify that the license is in good standing.  

This system may be accessed by clicking https://www.dch.gchexs.ga.gov. The mailbox for asking questions about the GCHEXS system is [email protected]. GCHEXS will allow certain facilities licensed by the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) more flexibility in conducting criminal background checks of prospective and current employees. GCHEXS will enable users to:​

• Easily check various registries, including the Certified Nurse Aide, Sex Offender and federal OIG Exclusions List;
• Determine the status of an applicant's background check; and
• Print the criminal background check fitness determination letter directly from the GCHEXS system.

GCHEXS will streamline applicant onboarding, background check processing, tracking and the notification process from beginning to end, increasing the efficiency with which providers and state staff can process and securely obtain Background Checks. 

Disqualifying Crimes

Please note, as of October 1, 2019, there is a list of disqualifying crimes that could prohibit employment and or licensure. Please see a list of those crimes here . 

Training Tutorials

• Lesson 1 - Account and User Management
• Lesson 2 - Reporting and Notifications
• Lesson 3 - New Applicant Workflow
• Lesson 4 - Managing Applications
• Lesson 5 - Managing Employees

Mandatory Long Term Care Background Check Program

• Chart of Professional Exemptions from the Background Check Requirements - Posted 9/27/19
• LTC Background Check Frequently Asked Questions - Updated 01/21/22
• Appeal Process - Long Term Background Check - Posted 02/15/22

Narcotic Treatment Program

• Narcotic Treatment Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  - Updated 12/7/17
• Acknowledgement of Applicant's Non-Criminal Justice Privacy Rights and Consent to be Included in the Caregiver Portal - Updated 08/30/21
• Toll-Free Number: 833-463-0020. Option #5 is the NTP - Posted 9/27/19

Electronic Fingerprinting Information

• 3M Cogent-GAPS Fingerprinting Locations - Updated 08/16/19
• GAPS Applicant Processing Service - Out of State fingerprint instructions - Updated 10/13/20

Forms

• Voluntary Background Check Participation Agreement - Updated 01/11/16
• Privacy Rights and Consent for Caregiver Portal - Updated 08/30/21
• Request for the GCHEXS Username and Password - Posted 9/27/19

Useful Links

• Rap Back Update Webinar - Posted 08/27/21
• Rap Back Update Presentation - Posted 08/27/21
• How to use GCHEXS and Q&A Webinar - Posted 10/18/19
• Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) Home Page - Updated 09/15/22
• Gemalto - GAPS Fingerprinting Locations - Posted 08/16/19
• Gemalto - GAPS Website - Posted 08/16/19
• DCH-PPT 2020 Background Checks Variance Update  - Posted 10/22/20

Contact Information

Office of Inspector General, Background Investigations Unit Main Toll Free number: (833) 463-0020 Local number: (404) 463-7154 Email: [email protected]