Background Checks - WATCH

HCAs contracted with the AAA or DSHS/ADSA who need to provisionally hire a LTC worker immediately (BEFORE getting the results from the WA State Name and Date of Birth check), have the option of doing a WATCH check.

The WATCH check provides initial screening of Washington state information on your prospective LTC worker. This database includes conviction information, arrests less than one year old with dispositions pending, and information regarding registered sex and kidnap offenders. The WSP criminal history file also contains additional information such as arrest records that is not open to the general public.

Important Things to Know

  • DSHS does not pay for a WATCH check.
  • A WATCH check is very limited in the information it can provide.
  • The WATCH check does NOT replace any of the fingerprint-based background check requirements for all LTC workers.
  • You must proceed with the Background Authorization immediately no matter what results you receive from the WATCH check.

WATCH Instructions

  • Complete the Background Authorization form with the LTC worker.  See the instructions for how to do this. 
  • Go to the WATCH website to complete the WATCH check.  Follow the instructions you find there for completing the WATCH check.

Understanding the  Results

The WATCH check will result in one of the following three results:

  1. A candidate list of records that match or closely match the search criteria used.
    WHAT THIS MEANS: A record(s) may have been found based on the information you used to run the WATCH check.  
    ACTION YOU TAKE: 
    • Verify that it is the correct person..
    • Share the results with the potential LTC worker.  Information is available on the WATCH website if the person disagrees with the results.
    • Review the list of records.
    • Determine if any of the records match crimes or negative actions as listed on the Secretary’s List of Crimes or Negative Actions.
      • If a record(s) matches those listed on the Secretary’s List - the LTC worker is likely disqualified and CANNOT be hired provisionally now.  Proceed with the WA State Name and Date of Birth and the fingerprint-based background check immediately. If AFTER getting the Interim Result letter you still determine the LTC worker is disqualified, document the results.  Do NOT proceed with the fingerprint portion of the background check or provisionally hire the LTC worker.
      • If a record(s) is NOT on the Secretary’s List – you must perform a character, competency, and suitability review.  Learn more about how to do this review.  
      • If you determine the LTC worker is:
        •  Qualified, you may provisionally hire the LTC worker pending the results from the WA State Name and Date of Birth and the fingerprint-based background check.  See the instructions for how to do this.
        • NOT qualified, do not provisionally hire the LTC worker. You MUST still proceed with the WA State Name and Date of Birth check immediately. See the instructions for how to do this.
           
  2. A NO RECORD or NO EXACT MATCH FOUND
    WHAT THIS MEANS: No records were found for that person. 
    ACTION YOU TAKE: You may provisionally hire the LTC worker. Proceed immediately with the WA State Name and Date of Birth and the fingerprint-based background check.
     
  3. A possible DUPLICATE MATCH
    WHAT THIS MEANS:  There may be two or more exact name and date of birth matches for the search criteria used.WSP cannot determine who the LTC worker is.
    ACTION YOU TAKE:  You cannot provisionally hire the LTC worker yet. Proceed immediately with the WA State Name and Date of Birth and the fingerprint-based background check. See the instructions.