Background check information for healthcare programs
The Florida Department of Health has a responsibility to protect the public. In carrying out this responsibility, the Department of Health reserves the right to deny licensure to anyone who has been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations. Pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, the State Board shall refuse to issue a license, certification or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been:
- Convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre (no contest) to a felony violation regardless of adjudication of chapters 409, 817 or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.
- Terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years).
- Terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years).
- Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.
Students applying for admission to a healthcare program are required to complete a drug and alcohol screening, a Level 2 (national) criminal background check, and an online background check including:
- Check of the Office of the Inspector General related to parties excluded from participation in Medicare/Medical and all federal healthcare programs.
- Search of U.S. General Services Administration of parties excluded from federal procurements and non-procurements programs.
- Search of the Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions List
- Nationwide Sex Offender Check
- Social Security Number verification
Admission into clinical/practicum is at the discretion of the clinical agencies. All students entering a healthcare program with a clinical/practicum component are required to complete a criminal background check. Students must be free of offenses which could potentially disqualify them from working in a healthcare environment (Florida Statutes 316.193, 435.04, and 456.0635). In addition to the Florida Statute list of offenses, the educational affiliation agreements indicate students will be disqualified from placement if the disposition indicates a conviction or any disposition than a finding of “not guilty” for one or more of the following offenses or their equivalents:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Carjacking
- Use of a weapon in the commission of a crime
- Assault
- Battery
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated battery
- Kidnapping
- False imprisonment
- Sexual battery/misconduct
- Domestic violence
- Prostitution
- Hate crimes
- Terrorism
- Escape or attempted escape from incarceration
- Lewd and lascivious behavior
- Arson, theft, robbery, and related crimes
- Theft (including, misdemeanor or felony but no limited to, theft by falsification of financial records or embezzlement)
- Passing worthless checks
- Credit card fraud/fraudulent use of a credit card
- Forgery
- Identity theft
- Burglary
- Home invasion
- Any stalking offense
- Rape
- Trespass for sexual purposes (e.g., peeping)
- Sale, delivery or trafficking in narcotics(drugs)
- Felony possession of a controlled substance
- Falsification of prescription records
- Abuse or neglect of a disabled adult or elderly person
- Exploitation of a disabled adult or elderly person
- Child abuse
- Child abandonment
- Child neglect
- Lewd and lascivious act upon a child
- Lewd act in the presence of a child
- Any other crime involving physical violence or a crime against a child
- Possession of child pornography
- Sale, delivery or trafficking in child pornography
- Resisting arrest with violence
- Felony driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Any other felony level offense involving violation of a drug abuse prevention and control law (including but not limited to felony level possession, sale, purchase, manufacture, or use of controlled substance in violation of applicable law)
All criminal offenses are reviewed based on the nature of the offense(s), criminal history (pattern/recidivism), remoteness in time of the offense, relevance of the offense to facility placement, age at the time of offense, and evidence of rehabilitation. Dropped, abandoned, dismissed, adjudication withheld, and nollo prosequi offenses may also be reviewed for clinical agency approval on a case-by-case basis. Some offenses may require additional documentation, fees, and time for review. Any additional fees will be incurred by the student. Additional review time may delay admission into the program and/or enrollment in the course(s) that include(s) clinical/practicum experiences. Students whose criminal background check requires additional review will be contacted by the department regarding additional requirements.
Clinical affiliation agreements may also have other student requirements (ex. physicals, immunizations, and CPR certification). Please see the respective program website or your advisor for additional information.
This information is subject to change without notification. Before requesting and paying for background check services, applicants with concerns should email the health professions career program advisor or call 407.404.6196.