What are the steps in a Connecticut background search for a home care job?

Connecticut's long-term care background search combines a check of the state nurse aide registry with state and national criminal history checks based on fingerprints. Applicants are fingerprinted in person at a designated State Police location as part of that process.

Apply nowHome health aide jobs in Bridgeport

What the search actually checks

By state law, a background search for a long-term care facility means a review of the state registry of nurse aides, a check of state and national criminal history records, and a review of any other registry the Department of Public Health specifies.

This applies to home health care agencies, home health aide agencies, and hospice agencies, along with other long-term care facility types.

The fingerprinting step

Applicants take a Fingerprinting Authorization Form, generated through the state system, to one of the designated State Police troops or districts to be fingerprinted in person.

• Get a Fingerprinting Authorization Form from the hiring facility
• Go to a designated State Police location to be fingerprinted
• Wait for the state registry and criminal history results

If you already went through this

A facility does not have to run a new background search if you already completed one through the program within the prior three years and no disqualifying offense was found.

Keeping a copy of your results, or at least the date you were cleared, can save you a repeat trip to be fingerprinted again if you move between employers within that window.

More questions

Where does fingerprinting for the CT background search happen?

At a designated State Police troop or district location, using a Fingerprinting Authorization Form.

Does the search cover more than just criminal history?

Yes, it also includes a review of the state nurse aide registry and any other registry DPH specifies.

Can a search I already passed be reused for a new job?

Yes, if it was completed through the program within the prior three years with no disqualifying offense found.

Sources

1. Connecticut Long-Term Care Criminal History and Patient Abuse Background Search Program — Frequently Asked Questions (ABCMS FAQs), Connecticut Department of Public Health
2. Public Act No. 25-16 (Substitute House Bill No. 6771), Connecticut General Assembly

Checked against these sources on November 6, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the source before you rely on a detail. This page is general information, not legal advice.