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Welcome to the brand new My Homecare Companion! • ¡Bienvenido al nuevo My Homecare Companion!
Background Checks for Oregon Care Providers
Oregon care providers must complete a background check as part of becoming approved to work. The office or program that begins the process depends on whether you are applying as a Homecare Worker (HCW), Personal Support Worker (PSW), or Personal Care Attendant (PCA).
Background checks are processed through the state’s Background Check Unit (BCU). MHC does not process background checks or determine whether an applicant is approved.
Important 2026 Change
Oregon changed the length of many provider background-check approvals from two years to three years beginning June 5, 2026.
✓ If your background-check approval was completed before June 5, 2026, it keeps its existing two-year expiration date.
✓ If your approval was completed on or after June 5, 2026, it is generally valid for three years.
✓ An existing two-year approval does not automatically receive an additional year.
Always use the expiration date shown on your background-check clearance letter. If you are uncertain about your renewal date, contact the office, program, brokerage, or employer responsible for your provider enrollment.
Where Does Each Provider Type Start?
The organization responsible for beginning your background check depends on your provider type. You generally cannot initiate the official background check in ORCHARDS yourself. The appropriate office, program, brokerage, or employer submits the request.
🏠 Homecare Worker (HCW)
Homecare Workers generally complete their background-check process through the local Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) or Area Agency on Aging (AAA) office handling their provider enrollment.
Contact that office if:
• You need to begin your provider enrollment or background check
• You have not received the expected ORCHARDS email
• You need to confirm which office is responsible for your renewal
• You have questions about your clearance letter or expiration date
💜 Personal Support Worker (PSW)
Personal Support Workers generally complete their background-check process through the Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP), Support Services Brokerage, or other qualified entity responsible for their provider records.
A Qualified Entity Designee (QED) submits the background-check request through ORCHARDS. Contact the CDDP, brokerage, or program connected to the person you support if you need to begin or renew your background check.
The linked ODHS resource includes PSW background-check information and a Provider Enrollment Agreement used later in the process. It is not the initial application to become a PSW.
🤝 Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
Personal Care Attendants serving eligible behavioral-health participants complete their background-check process through the Oregon Health Authority Behavioral Health Division or the organization responsible for their enrollment.
Contact the program or enrollment representative working with you if:
• You need to begin the background-check process
• You do not know which organization should submit your request
• You have not received the expected ORCHARDS email
• You need help confirming your renewal date
Important for All Provider Types
After the appropriate organization submits the request, watch for an email from:
bcu.orchards@orchards.odhsoregon.gov
Follow the instructions and respond by the stated deadlines. You may be asked to:
• Complete the Authorization and Disclosure questions
• Provide the cities and dates where you lived during the previous five years
• Present acceptable photo identification
• Complete fingerprinting if required
• Provide additional information requested by the Background Check Unit
Keep a copy of your final clearance letter. It contains the expiration date you should use when determining when your next background check is due.
Renewing Your Provider Enrollment
Your background-check expiration date and your provider-enrollment renewal date may not be the same. The 2026 change to three-year background checks does not automatically extend every other provider requirement.
Watch your email and mail for renewal notices and begin the process before the listed deadline. Depending on your provider type, renewal may require an updated Provider Enrollment Application and Agreement, background-check authorization, identification, training documentation, or other requested forms.
Where to Get Renewal Help
• HCWs: Contact the local ODHS or Area Agency on Aging office responsible for your provider enrollment.
• PSWs: Contact the CDDP, Support Services Brokerage, CIIS program, or other Case Management Entity responsible for your provider record.
• PCAs: Contact the OHA behavioral-health program or enrollment organization responsible for your provider record.
Do not wait until your provider number or enrollment becomes inactive. An inactive or expired provider enrollment may prevent you from performing authorized work or receiving payment.
Continuing Education Reminder
Continuing Education requirements remain on a two-year cycle until additional official guidance is issued. Do not assume that the three-year background-check period changes your Continuing Education deadline.
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