BCS Login and Guides

For our background check system users. This page offers guidance and login information on accessing the background check system. It houses user manuals, information on trainings, and helpful tips and guidance for navigating the system.

Accessing the Background Check System (BCS)

DSHS Authorized Licensed Facilities, Contractors, Vendors and Providers

  1. Please copy the link below and paste into Google Chrome address bar https://secureaccess.wa.gov/dshs/bcs
  2. You will be directed to the BCS Welcome page. Click “Okay.”
  3. You will then be directed to the BCS User Agreement. Click "I Agree."
  4. Please refer to our training materials below if you do not have a SAW account or contact BCCU with questions.

Active Directory (email@agency.wa.gov) Employees

  1. Please copy the link below and paste into Google Chrome address bar https://bcs.dshs.wa.gov/
  2. You will be directed to the BCS Welcome page. Click “Okay.”
  3. You will then be directed to the BCS User Agreement. Click "I Agree."
  4. You should now have an active profile in BCS.
  5. Please refer to our training materials below or contact BCCU with questions.

BCS User Guides and Training

User Guides and Training Materials

The Background Check System works best in GOOGLE CHROME internet browser.

Entity

Applicant

Additional Guides and Resources

BCS Training Sign-Ups

BCS User Training- this training will cover how to submit, review, and retrieve background check results as well as commonly asked questions about the background check process. Click HERE to register.

2026 Training Dates:

  • Monday November 16th 1-3pm (Virtual)

Newsletter Archive

BCCU launched a quarterly newsletter in 2022. Our newsletter keeps our users informed about Background Check System (BCS) updates and topics. You can subscribe to our ListServ to receive the newsletter.

Subscribe to BCCU ListServ

You will find past editions of The BCCU Buzz below:

2026 Editions

2025 Editions

Enhancements

The Background Check System (BCS) went live in June of 2018. The Background Check Central Unit (BCCU) is committed to continuously improving BCS for its customers. Below you will find recent enhancements and issues resolved in BCS that impact our customers.

Background Check System
DateIssue Resolved (IR) or Enhancement (E)Description
5/26/2026Fingerprint Appointment Form (E)Part of ongoing State efforts to create an inclusive environment, the Fingerprint Appointment Form has been simplified to remove the section, formerly section two, that asked the applicant for demographic information, including sex or gender, and is not necessary for scheduling a fingerprint appointment.
04/28/2026User Management (E)The DOH Long-Term Care Inquiry Lookup Home now has a Export To Excel button that will produce a report of all LTC inquiries from the past 36 months.
03/24/2026User Management (E)We now show who archived or unarchived an inquiry on the Background Check Summary from the Entity Home page.
2/24/2026User Management (IR)Users will no longer see Nav Menu options if they are not signed in.
2/24/2026Background Check Authorization Form (IR)When viewing the Background Check Authorization Form on archived inquiries, you can now see and use the Print and Go Back buttons.
2/24/2026Result Letter (E)The APS phone number on the cover page of result letters has been updated to their new number.
10/28/2025User Management (IR)The Users page will now allow entity account administrators with multiple accounts to add users without first logging in to a particular entity account.
10/28/2025Background Check Authorization Form (IR)Confirmation numbers no longer appear on application PDFs when the application is entered by the entity.
9/23/2025BCS User Access Request Form (IR)The User Access Request Form PDF will now generate in full on mobile devices.

If you have any questions regarding BCS, please email us at bccuinquiry@dshs.wa.gov.

Policy Questions

If you have any of the questions listed below, then you will need to reach out to your Program’s Policy Contact.

  • What type of background check to submit
  • What your renewal schedule is
  • How to complete a Character, Competency, or Suitability Review
  • What documentation your licensor requires you to keep on file

BCCU cannot keep track of all the different policies for all our oversight programs, but your Program Policy Contact will have the information that you need.

If you do not know who your Program Policy Contact is, then please contact us at BCCUinquiry@dshs.wa.gov and we would be happy to locate their contact information for you.

Making a Change?

  • Change of Ownership (CHOW)
  • Change of Location
  • Change of Business Structure

When you go through a license change, your old background check account closes and a new one is opened under the new license. Additional guidance on this process can be found in the fact sheet below.

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