Accessing the Background Check System (BCS)
DSHS Authorized Licensed Facilities, Contractors, Vendors and Providers
- Please copy the link below and paste into Google Chrome address bar https://secureaccess.wa.gov/dshs/bcs
- You will be directed to the BCS Welcome page. Click “Okay.”
- You will then be directed to the BCS User Agreement. Click "I Agree."
- 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
- Please copy the link below and paste into Google Chrome address bar https://bcs.dshs.wa.gov/
- You will be directed to the BCS Welcome page. Click “Okay.”
- You will then be directed to the BCS User Agreement. Click "I Agree."
- You should now have an active profile in BCS.
- 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
- Logging into BCS Using SecureAccess Washington (SAW) (10/2025) - Instructions on how to login to your account.
- Entity User Guide (12/2024) - Instructions on how to submit, review status, and retrieve background check results.
- Entity Admin User Guide (9/2024) - Instructions for the Primary Account Administrators (PAA) on managing account and users.
- Instructions on Submitting Fingerprint Hard Cards to BCCU (4/2025)
Applicant
- Online Background Check Authorization Form Guide (12/2020) - Instructions for applicants when completing the online Background Check Authorization form. Applicants do not need a SAW account to complete the online form.
Additional Guides and Resources
- BCS ALTSA/DDA Lookup Tool Guide (4/2020)
- BCS DOH LTC Lookup Tool Guide (7/2024)
- BCS Oversight Guide (4/2020)
-
BCS Training PowerPoint (4/2020)
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 March 9th 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.
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.
| Date | Issue Resolved (IR) or Enhancement (E) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2/24/2026 | User Management (IR) | Users will no longer see Nav Menu options if they are not signed in. |
| 2/24/2026 | Background 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. |
| 2/24/2026 | Result Letter (E) | The APS phone number on the cover page of result letters has been updated to their new number. |
| 10/28/2025 | User 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. |
| 10/28/2025 | Background Check Authorization Form (IR) | Confirmation numbers no longer appear on application PDFs when the application is entered by the entity. |
| 9/23/2025 | BCS User Access Request Form (IR) | The User Access Request Form PDF will now generate in full on mobile devices. |
| 8/26/2025 | Oversight Role (IR) | In the Oversight Home data grid, sorting by Submit Date now sorts chronologically. |
| 7/29/2025 | Oversight Role (IR) | When an entity oversight user assigns a PAA, the old PAA assignment will now expire. |
| 7/29/2025 | Admin Report (IR) | The Inquiry Type Group & Entity Account Report will no longer show deleted users or deleted admin roles as the Primary Account Administrator. |
| 7/29/2025 | AOC (E) | Cases with a Bail Forfeiture disposition will now show as pending. |
| 7/29/2025 | Result Letter (E) | The contact info for ALTSA RCPP has been updated on result letters. |
| 6/24/2025 | BCS Reports (IR) | The Entity Inquiry Report will now show your current account after you switch accounts. |
| 6/24/2025 | Background Check Authorization Form (E) | BCCU staff can now see if an application was entered by an applicant or the hiring entity. |
| 5/27/2025 | BCS Reports (IR) | The Entity Inquiry Report no longer shows in the menu for non-admin users. |
| 5/27/2025 | Emailed Results (IR) | When verifying date of birth to retrieve emailed results, we will only accept dates that are within the last 8-105 years. |
| 5/27/2025 | Emailed Results (IR) | If an emailed result link is expired due to too many failed attempts, the link will redirect to the expired link page. |
| 5/27/2025 | User Management (IR) | The Oversight Home search results count now match the number of records returned by the search. |
| 5/27/2025 | Result Letters (E) | Result letters will no longer show a "Shared Fingerprint" line if the ITG setting has "Allow FP Sharing" turned off. |
| 4/29/2025 | User Management (IR) | Oversight home now correctly displays results when there are multiple pages. |
| 3/27/2025 | Emailed Results (E) | BCCU now has the ability to resend applicant packets via email in the Background Check System. |
| 2/25/2025 | Additional Information (E) | Additional Information letters now contain a link to a YouTube tutorial to assist applicants in responding. |
| 2/25/2025 | Emailed Results (E) | The letter informing applicants they have emailed background check information now contains "Tips for Success." |
| 1/28/2025 | User Management (E) | An entity report was created to show fingerprint appointments and the status of fingerprint inquiries. |
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.