This resource is for applicants who are required to obtain an Idaho Department of Health & Welfare background check or clearance for services provided to department clients through their agencies, as employees, or as required by state statute.
After you submit a background check application, you can be fingerprinted.
* When sending an email, please include a detailed description of your request. Please do not include passwords or other sensitive information (such as Social Security Numbers or Alien Registration Numbers).
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Background Check Unit
1720 Westgate Drive, Suite B
Boise, ID 83704
A criminal history and background check is a fingerprint-based check of an individual’s criminal record and other relevant records. All persons who are required to have a Department criminal history and background check must complete an application on this website and be fingerprinted.
An enhanced clearance is a clearance issued by the Department that includes a search of child protection registries in states or jurisdictions in which an applicant has resided during the preceding five years. Only certain individuals are subject to an enhanced background check.
People working in the Department Programs; those who are licensed or certified by the Department; and those who have direct contact with children or vulnerable adults may need a criminal history and background check.
Each program has set guidelines that are specific to their program to determine which participants are required to have a Department of Health and Welfare criminal history and background check.
Once the background check is complete, the applicant and agency associated with the application will be notified by an automated email. The results letter will be available to view and print from the website.
An individual who receives an unconditional denial is not available to provide services, have access to, or be licensed or certified by the Department.
Please refer to IDAPA 16.05.06 for a list of disqualifying items
Yes. An individual has twenty-eight (28) days from the date the unconditional denial is issued to challenge the Department’s unconditional denial. If the unconditional denial is not challenged within thirty (30) days, the status remains and it becomes the final order of the Department.
The applicant must submit the challenge in writing and provide court records or other information which demonstrates the Department’s unconditional denial is incorrect.
If the individual challenges the Department’s unconditional denial, the Department will review the court records, documents, and other information provided by the individual. The Department will issue a decision within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the challenge.
Standard background check fee: $65.00
Enhanced background check fee: $65.00 plus additional fees if applicable. These fees are generated when an applicant lists that they have lived in a state whose child protection registry checks charge an additional fee. The fee for the background check is visible on the applicant’s account once the application has been submitted.
We can accept check, cash, money order, credit/debit card (with an additional $1.00 plus a 3% processing fee), or an invoice letter from an authorized agency.
Yes. The Department of Health and Welfare is not authorized to retain fingerprints and is required to submit a new set of fingerprints for each background check conducted.