Background check Overview

All caregivers, whether family or not, are required to take the fingerprint background check, which is a national background check conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI). If you have a criminal history and are worried that it might disqualify you from being paid as a family caregiver, then continue reading this page to learn whether you might still be eligible.

10 Year Exemption Information

SB 406 granted an exemption for what is considered a criminal record. The term “criminal record” shall not include an applicant or employee for which at least 10 years have elapsed from the date of his or her criminal background check since the completion of all the terms of his or her sentence. 

However, that such 10-year period or exemption shall never apply to any crime identified below: 

  1. A felony violation of trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude as prohibited by Code Section 16-5-46;

  2. A violation of neglecting disabled adults, elder persons, or residents as prohibited by Code Section 16-5-101; and,

  3. A violation of exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents as prohibited by Code Section 16-5-102. 

Disqualifying Crimes

Any criminal conviction or admission in a court of law, Composite State Board of Medical Examiners proceeding, criminal investigation, or administrative proceeding relating to the following list of offenses is considered disqualifying:

  1. A violation of neglecting disabled adults, elder persons, or residents as prohibited by Code Section 16-5-101; and, 

  2. Medicare, Medicaid/PeachCare for Kids, or other health insurance program fraud. 

  3. Neglect or abuse of a patient. 

  4. A violation relating to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a disabled adult or elder person. 

  5. A violation relating to murder. 

  6. A violation relating to involuntary manslaughter. 

  7. A violation relating to armed robbery with a firearm. 

  8. A violation relating to  sexual  assault  against detained persons detained or patients.

  9. A violation relating to aggravated sexual battery. 

  10. A violation relating to enticing a child for indecent purposes. 

  11. A violation relating to cruelty to children. 

  12. A violation relating to cruelty to a person 65 years of age or older. 

  13. A violation relating to rape. 

  14. A violation relating to child molestation.