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The Health Care Authority’s mission is: We ensure that New Mexicans attain their highest level of health by providing whole-person, cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality health care and safety-net services.
Caregivers Criminal History Screening Program
The Caregivers Criminal History Screening Program (CCHSP) is a vital initiative of the New Mexico Health Care Authority designed to protect vulnerable populations by ensuring that caregivers meet high standards of trust and safety. Through comprehensive background checks, the program screens prospective caregivers, employees, and volunteers who work with individuals in licensed health care and community settings. By identifying disqualifying criminal histories and verifying eligibility, CCHSP helps safeguard the well-being of children, seniors, and people with disabilities, while also supporting providers in maintaining compliance with state and federal requirements. This program reflects New Mexico’s commitment to fostering safe, reliable, and compassionate care environments.
**Special Announcement**
The Caregiver Criminal History Screening Program is proud to announce:
The Applicant User Application
The Applicant Initiated site empowers the applicant to enter/maintain their personal information and begin their application. This streamlines the process reducing missing and inaccurate information as well as repeated communications between the applicant and providers, sometimes including communicating PII in non-secure formats. Additionally, this site offers applicants access to document management with the functionality to upload documents related to their applications along with the capability to view/download documents provided by the state eliminating the need to send letters by certified mail.
This system will Launch January 2, 2026.
Read more about the new system.
See below for application process instructions for Applicants and Providers:
Watch a video tutorial on how to enter applications HERE.
Why is this changing?
This is changing to allow for better communication with the
applicants. Currently 70% of our certified letters are being
returned. This is to improve the speed and accuracy of
communication with the applicants to allow them to have
immediate access to letters and documents from CCHSP as
well as another option to submit their own documents to
CCHSP
Why is background screening now required for a user when their primary account is under the agency they work for, and the agency itself is ultimately liable for their actions? Shouldn't the agency’s vetting and accountability extend to any users working under their organization?
This change and User Initiated Website are for applicants to
enter their application information and be able to see live
updates on their application. The process for users with
provider accounts has not changed. (NMAC 8.370.5/NMSA
29-17-5)
What is the provider code?
The provider code will be a unique code given to each
provider so that applicants can connect their account to the
provider and the application.
What if the applicant does not have an email address, is not tech savvy or does not speak English?
Most employers now hire through online applications and
most of those systems not only require more from the
applicant, but they also require email addresses. If your
applicant really has no email address, they will need to
create one.
Will this be available to do on a cell phone? A lot of people do not have access to laptops or a desktop computer.
The site can be used on mobile phones. The new site will not
require a lot of technical knowledge, the applicant will just
need to enter their requested information to begin the
process and ensure that we have good contact information
for the applicant, the provider will still be the one to submit
the application to CCHSP.
Why wouldn't the middle name be required if it is on their ID? Real ID requires what name is on their birth certificate.
CCHSP does not require a middle name as not everyone has
a middle name on their birth certificate or ID. The uploaded
ID will still have this information.
Is this mandatory for the employees to do this or can the company still do it? There are applicants like in our case caregivers who don't speak English and or don't have computer skills.
Facilities are still welcome to help their applicants in the
system however they will still need to provide their email
and will need to have access to their applicant sign-in.
Is this only for individuals who will be working in a nursing home or home care agency? Does this apply to COR registry check only? Do I need to go through this process with our new employees since we already go through CYFD background checks?
This change will apply if you run background checks through
CCHSP if you run checks through the CYFD background
check process with your applicants, there is no need to
submit a background check through CCHSP. Providers who
only run registry checks will not need to change their
process. This process only applies when an applicant needs
a criminal history background check. (NMAC 8.370.5/NMSA
29-17-5)
Will there be an instruction sheet for applicants?
An instruction sheet and FAQ have been created for
providers to give to applicants. The sheet will include a
space for the provider code.
What if the applicant does not complete their sign-up? Can providers remove applicants who don’t move forward with the application?
If the applicant does not create an account, they will be
unable to move forward with the process. Providers will not
have the application until the applicant has created their
account so they will have no additional steps in the portal.
Does the agency still have to do the scheduling for the applicants to get fingerprinted? Or does the applicant do that now?
Both the applicant and the provider will receive access to
the fingerprint form when the application is submitted. The
scheduling for the fingerprints can be done based on your
policies. You will need to let your applicants know what your
process is and how to move forward once the authorization
is available.
Many applicants don't have the ability or know-how to upload a file. Can the Provider do the application once the individual has created their account?
The provider is welcome to help the applicant with the
process. However, the applicant’s log in info should remain
private and available only to the applicant.
Can provider add an alias?
Providers will be able to add aliases and verify information
after the applicant finishes and before submitting it to
CCHSP
After the individual's application has been completed and they are ready for fingerprinting, do they receive their Fingerprint Authorization and instructions to be printed, or do we need to complete that on our end?
Both the applicant and the provider will receive access to
the fingerprint form when the application is submitted. The
scheduling for the fingerprints can be done based on your
policies. You will need to let your applicants know what your
process is and how to move forward once the authorization
is available.
When the applicants get the letters, will there be some kind of document explaining what the letters mean for the applicant? Such as what they need to do.
Applicants will now receive communications immediately
through the portal. The communications will still be the
same as they were, will just be delivered through the portal.
The letters the applicant receives from CCHSP will include
their next steps.
Out of state/hard copy process?
Providers can continue to have applicants who are out of
state or who need to submit fingerprint cards proceed
according to their own procedures.
How long will it take to issue an eligibility determination?
Most determinations are made within 24-48 hours of receipt
of the criminal history records. If further review is needed a
determination will be made within 10 to 15 business days or
a letter will be available on the portal with additional
instructions. While these are the timeframes most
determinations are made there can be delays in receiving
the criminal history record back from the Department of
Public Safety (DPS)
If an applicant was determined ineligible is that where they would upload like court docs etc.?
Yes, this user site will allow the applicants to submit those
documents to us directly through the portal.
**Special Announcement**
UE2 IDEMIA Upgrade
Identogo has undergone a new update to thier systems. Please see the following documentation for more information on how to process general registration using the Identogo/IDEMIA website.
**Special Announcement**
Governor Signs House Bill 131
New law strengthening caregiver accountability goes into effect Jul 1, 2025
SANTA FE – New Mexicans who depend on caregiving services will benefit from stronger safeguards starting July 1, after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 131 into law.
The new law enhances background check requirements for caregivers, expanding the list of disqualifying offenses to ensure those providing care meet stricter standards.
“This law reflects our commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of the New Mexicans who rely on caregiving services,” said Kari Armijo, secretary of the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “By strengthening background checks, we are creating safer environments for vulnerable individuals and providing families with greater peace of mind.”
House Bill 131 expands the list of disqualifying criminal offenses for caregivers to include:
- Animal cruelty
- Identity theft
- Human trafficking
- Assault of a peace officer
The New Mexico Health Care Authority will oversee enforcement to ensure full compliance and protect the integrity of caregiving services statewide.
Background Checks
Click the button below to find more information or process a background check:
Contact CCHSP
For General Inquiries:
Email us at:
General.CCHSP@HCA.nm.gov
Or call us at:
Phone: (505) 476-0801
Fax: (505) 424-7974
Mailing Address
ATTN: CCHSP
P.O. Box H Santa Fe, NM 87501
For Training and database questions contact us at:
or call the training unit at: (505) 423-4637
or
Michael Padilla, Bureau Chief – Michaelr.padilla@hca.nm.gov
Regulations
- NMAC 8.370.5 – Caregivers Criminal History Screening Requirements
- NMAC 8.370.8 – Employee Abuse Registry
- NMSA 29-17-(1-5) – Criminal History Screening Act
Forms and Publications
- Affidavit No Known Criminal History Form
- Employee Abuse Registry Removal Petition
- Applicant Initiated Process NM March 2024 Applicant Version
- Applicant Initiated Process NM March 2024 Provider Version
- Fingerprint background check services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- New Mexico Application Registration Process