The MSDH Comprehensive Background Check unit processes background checks for all Mississippi licensed Health Care and Child Care facilities. All background checks are processed through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and are transmitted through the Mississippi Criminal Information Center and Federal Bureau of Investigation databases to complete the requirements for state and national background checks.
Portals for Child Care and Health Care Facilities
Facility Portal
Check applicant status or facility account balancePayment Portal
Online payment is now required to ensure timely fingerprint card processing. Background check ($50), replacement or extra background check reports ($15), or replacement or extra copies of a suitability letter ($10).
Requesting Background Checks
Child Care Background Checks
- Understanding Child Care Comprehensive Background Checks PDF
- Out of State Fingerprint Check Affidavit
Please complete this additional form if you lived outside of Mississippi within the last 5 years.
The child care facility you are applying to will have already created a background check application for you and paid any fees.
- Schedule a LiveScan fingerprint at a county Health Department near you.
Schedule a LiveScan appointment now →If a LiveScan location is unavailable near you, complete ALL areas on a fingerprint card and mail to:
Mississippi State Department of Health
Criminal History Fingerprint Unit
143B LeFleur's Square
Jackson, MS 39211(If a fingerprint card is needed, please contact 601‑364‑1102 or email CHRCUnit@msdh.ms.gov.)
- Complete the Mississippi Child Abuse and Neglect Registry online form.
Once fingerprints are received, they are processed through the sex offender registry and the FBI. Both provider and applicant will be notified of the results by e-mail.
- Background Checks for Applicants Living in Another State
If you live in another state and are requesting a Mississippi Background check for child care facility employment. For additional information regarding interstate background checks, please contact Brittany Orr at 601‑364‑5062, or e-mail CHRCUnit@msdh.ms.gov
Health Care Employment Background Checks
Mississippi state law requires a background check for:
- Every new employee of a licensed entity who provides direct patient care or services and who is employed on or after July 1, 2003, and
- Every employee of a licensed entity employed before July 1, 2003, who has a documented disciplinary action by his or her present employer.
The cost to process a background check is $50.00 per applicant. Extra cards and reprints on the same applicant do not require additional payment.
If you live and work in Mississippi, follow the instructions below to request a comprehensive background check for work in a Mississippi licensed health care facility.
Submit your application forms and payment through the SAFER portal:
Mississippi State Department of Health
Criminal History Record Check Unit
143B LeFleur’s Square
Jackson, MS 39211
Professional Licensure Background Checks
For professionals licensed by MSDH that require a background check, follow the steps outlined below using the SAFER system (administered by the Mississippi Department of Health’s Criminal History Record Check Unit).
Using SAFER, below, you will upload:
- Fingerprint Authorization Form
- Privacy Rights Statement
Note: in SAFER, enter the facility name as Professional Licensure Background Check and use the facility code HC1310447.
Submit the application fee of $50.00 (please note that on the credit card checkout page, the “Customer Info” address should match the billing address associated with the credit card).
Once submitted, be sure to record your determination number. This number is required to schedule your fingerprinting appointment.
After your application has been reviewed and approved (typically within a few days), you may schedule your fingerprinting appointment by selecting a location from the list of county health departments.
A $25 fee is payable to the local health department at the time of fingerprinting.
If you do not reside in Mississippi:
- Complete the SAFER application above.
- Once payment is complete, visit a local sheriff’s office, police station, or other entity to request fingerprinting on a fingerprint card. (If a fingerprint card is needed, please contact 601‑364‑1102 or email CHRCUnit@msdh.ms.gov.)
- Mail the completed fingerprint card to the mailing address below:
Mississippi State Department of Health
Criminal History Record Check Unit
143B LeFleur’s Square
Jackson, MS 39211
Live Scan Fingerprinting
Schedule a live scan fingerprint appointment at a Mississippi county health department with our online form below.
Please make sure that you have submitted an application in SAFER for your applicant before scheduling. If the applicant is not in SAFER at the time of their appointment they will have to reschedule. Please contact the fingerprint unit for any questions you may have at 601‑364‑1102.
For questions surrounding background checks for licensed health care or child care facilities, please contact the Comprehensive Background Check Division at 601‑364‑1102, fax: 601‑364‑5056, or e-mail CHRCUnit@msdh.ms.gov.
Location
143B LeFleur's Square
Jackson, MS 39211
