Background Check Program Resumes Pre-COVID-19 Fingerprint Requirement Effective August 1, 2021
New Applications
All new background check applications submitted on/after August 1, 2021 must include a fingerprint card. Incomplete applications will be pended until all required information, including fingerprint card, is received.
Currently, because NABCS is unavailable, applications are submitted via email, mail, fax, and in person. To expedite the processing of your application, please submit it along with all required materials, including fingerprint card, via mail or in person to DHCS Background Check Unit, 4601 Business Park Blvd., Bldg. K, Anchorage AK 99503. The processing of applications is significantly delayed when the application and required documents are submitted separately. New application submission instructions will be released when NABCS access is restored.
Existing Provisional Clearances
Information for individuals who currently have a provisional clearance, but have not submitted a fingerprint card, will be released soon.
Questions? Call 907.334.4475.
History
To reduce in-person contact and reduce administrative burdens as patient loads increased due to COVID-19, the Department of Health and Social Services suspended 7 AAC 10.910(a) and 7 AAC 10.910(b)(3), permitting the Background Check Program to issue provisional clearances without fingerprinting. With the expiration of the state disaster declaration, these regulatory suspensions also expire.
Background Check Program moves offline during cyberattack investigation
On May 18, 2021, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) website was the target of a cyberattack. DHSS took immediate action to protect its systems and prevent further disruption, including taking background checks offline while this incident is being investigated. The Background Check Program (BCP) will rely solely upon a manual process and review of APSIN, CourtView, Prober, OIG, JOMIS, Alaska Professional Licenses, and the National Sex Offender Registry to determine whether a provisional background clearance can be issued.
Until further notice, all new applications must be submitted using an interim BCP hard copy application. If you submitted an application on or prior to May 17th, and have NOT received an email confirmation of a provisional clearance, you must submit a new BCP hard copy application and proof of payment. If you HAVE received email confirmation of a provisional clearance, no additional action is necessary. Visit Interim Background Check Application Process for instructions on completing the new interim hard copy application. This process is subject to change. Any changes will be noticed here, the temporary Health Care Services page, Alaska Medicaid Health Enterprise, and on Alaska DHSS social media.
Third-Party Vendor Background Checks: On May 11, 2021, the department allowed providers to use third party background checks while CourtView was down due to the court system cyberattack. If you have been using a third-party vendor, you may continue to use that process for provisional approval through May 23rd. Effective May 24th, the Background Check Program will resume CourtView review of all applications.
DHSS Website Experiences Cyber Attack
The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) website was the target of a cyber-attack on May 17, 2021 (see DHSS press release). The DHSS website was taken offline while the investigation is being conducted and will be unavailable to the public until further details are known about the incident. In the interim, the Division of Health Care Services has published a temporary page to provide Alaskans with critical contact information about each of the HCS sections and programs. DHSS thanks you for your patience.
Visit DHSS Website Outage for department contacts and cyberattack updates.
State of Alaska’s Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency Expired 02/14/2021
As of February 14, 2021, the State of Alaska’s Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency (DD), which was in place to manage its response to COVID-19, expired. While certain authorities under the DD have expired, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is making every effort to minimize potential disruption to interactions between Alaskans and DHSS as we transition out of the DD.
Accordingly, until further instructed by the Governor or the Alaska Legislature:
- DHSS will continue to operate its COVID-19 response under the same guidance and direction that had previously been provided, which includes all prior waived or suspended statutes and regulations.
- DHSS will continue to manage its Medicaid program under the federal authorities outlined in the federal blanket waivers, the 1135 Waiver, and the Appendix K approvals, since those authorities are tied to the federal public health emergency and are not dependent on a state declaration.
- DHSS will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure a smooth transition for vaccinations, therapeutics, and other critical services that DHSS had been managing under the Declaration.
- All mitigation efforts for the health and safety of state employees will remain in effect.
The end of this disaster declaration does not mean the virus is gone and we can stop taking measures to keep ourselves and others healthy and safe. DHSS' primary concern remains the health and safety of all Alaskans, and we will continue to consider that paramount concern in our decisions as we navigate the next phase of the state’s response to COVID-19.
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
DHSS is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. Learn more about 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please check back frequently for new information and important updates.
Temporary Expansion of Telehealth Services
COVID-19 Messages
