Pennsylvania adopts electronic fingerprinting for LTC workers

Beginning on June 4, manual background check requests will no longer be accepted by Pennsylvania’s Department of Aging. The department will begin using a fingerprinting process to screen applicants to LTC facilities and home health care agencies.

“In addition to enhancing protections provided to our older adults, electronic fingerprinting will help us to more quickly process background checks,” said Secretary of Aging Brian Duke.

Applicants to and employees of LTC facilities and other agencies are required to undergo criminal background checks, in addition to obtaining criminal history record reports through the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). If an applicant has not been a Pennsylvania resident for two years, he or she must obtain a criminal history report from both the FBI and the PSP.

This move to electronic fingerprinting aims to improve the efficiency and compatibility with law enforcement and other screening procedures.