Training for Provider Agencies or Branches regulated by ODHS or OHA
The administrative rules require that most staff and provider contacts who process background check information must successfully complete training to become a Qualified Entity Designee (QED). The training materials are available by contacting the BCU training coordinator at (503) 378-5470 or toll-free at (888) 272-5545. You may also e-mail
bcu.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov and indicate that you would like the current training materials.
In order to stay up to date on QED requirements and rule changes,
eSubscribe to the Background Check website.
Materials for Clearinghouse Agencies
Effective 1/5/2016. The Clearinghouse has moved from the Oregon State Police to the BCU.
Clearinghouse agencies must have at least one Clearinghouse Authorized Designee.
Other tools and resources
- The Background Check Unit runs all background checks through
Oregon Criminal History and Abuse Records Data System (ORCHARDS)
- Definitions of crimes in Oregon are located in the
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS). Most of them are in the following chapters:
- For subject individuals and other providers licensed, certified or otherwise regulated by the Oregon Department of Human Services or the Oregon Health Authority, there ARE 5-year, 10-year, and permanent review conviction tiers; convictions are considered potentially disqualifying according to when they occurred in relation to the date the background check was submitted to BCU.
- BCU also checks abuse registries which hold records of reported perpetrators of abuse against children and vulnerable individuals Depending on the position your background check is for, BCU may checks all types of abuse regardless of how long ago it occurred, or limited types of abuse since 2010.
- Flyers of the potentially disqualifying convictions or conditions (PDQs):
- If a subject individual has one or more PDQs, BCU staff must conduct a weighing test. See this
weighing test flyer (revised 12/17/2021) to understand what BCU considers and plan materials to provide BCU in a background check request. Any details and additional documents you provide for the weighing test help BCU make an informed fitness determination.
- ORS 443.004 impacts paid positions under the Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities programs and Developmental Disabilities programs, and the Oregon Health Authority, Addictions and Mental Health Division.
- In collaboration with Child Welfare Licensing, the Office of Continuous Improvement and child caring agency stakeholders, BCU is presenting these
Frequently Asked Questions for child caring agencies. This document provides child caring agencies answers to many questions which are specific to their background check processes.
- Oregon State Archives Division
Records Retention Schedule (Revised 03/2011)for background check documents. [Although this document has not been updated, it may still be used as a guideline for retaining background check records.]