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Background Checks and Portability

What is portability?

Portability is when a subject individual (SI) can use a previously approved background check for other positions or placements. 

  • An SI with Portability can use a previous background check approval for other positions and placements that require a background check under BCU's statutes and administrative rules.
  • With Portability, the SI can be hired or placed immediately after an agency enters a background check application into ORCHARDS and gets confirmation that the SI is already eligible.

Questions? Email bcu.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov


Who can get portability?

Specific providers and positions

  • Nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities
  • Assisted living facilities and residential care facilities
  • Adult foster homes licensed in Oregon for:
    • Seniors and individuals with physical disabilities through ODHS Aging and People with Disabilities
    • Adults with developmental disabilities through ODHS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services
    • Adults with behavioral health disorders through OHA Health Services Division, Behavioral Services
  • Homecare workers and personal support workers for seniors, developmental disabilities clients, and behavioral health clients
  • All developmental disability (DD) adult and child facilities, organizations and providers (with the exception of employees and volunteers at community DD programs and DD brokerages)

In-home care agency portability

There is a separate portability group for in-home care agencies that have a Medicaid contract to provide services to ODHS clients. In this group, if an SI is approved to work for one in-home care agency, they are immediately hirable for another in-home care agency.