Pre-Employment Checks

ABOUT

The Office of Mental Health requires service providers to conduct Pre-Employment Checks on people applying to work or volunteer with vulnerable populations.

Additionally, we conduct the same Pre-Employment Checks on owners of "for-profit" businesses that operate OMH-licensed programs.

The three Checks are:

• Staff Exclusion List (SEL) via the Justice Center’s Vulnerable Persons Central Register
• Criminal Background Check (CBC) via the Justice Center’s CBC system
• Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) via OCFS’s Online Clearance System

RESOURCES

• NYCRR – Part 550 Criminal History Record Checks
• Mental Hygiene Law - MHY § 31.35
• Social Services Law - SOS § 424-a

OMH GUIDANCE

Quick Reference Guide
Provides basic guidance, links, emails, and forms involved in pre-employment checks.

OMH vs DOH Pre-Employment Check Requirements Q+A
Clarifies Department of Health Pre-Employment Check requirements for certain program types designated by the Office of Mental Health.

Provider Compliance Report Guidance
Provides instructions for maintaining applicant records and resolving Issues in the Justice Center’s CBC System.

CONTACT

Email cbc@omh.ny.gov to:

• Request guidance materials
• Get information on exempt program types
• Submit comments or questions about the information on this page