VECHS Program - Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the VECHS program based on a legislative act?


• What is the difference between the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) and the Volunteers for Children Act?


• Who can obtain criminal history record checks under the NCPA and Florida statute?


• If my entity is currently required by law to obtain state and national (LEVEL 2) criminal history record checks on any of my current/prospective employees, volunteers, can we screen these individuals under the VECHS program?


• Are summer camps and after school care programs covered under VECHS?

• How can my organization become a qualified entity?


• What happens once I submit my Qualified Entity Application, User Agreement, and CWCS Registration Form?


• If my organization is approved to participate in the VECHS program, will my organization be required to obtain criminal history record checks on my current or prospective employees and volunteers?

• What do I need to do to start submitting electronically?


• What does the law mean when it says fingerprints must be submitted electronically?


• Where can I get fingerprinted on a live scan device to submit electronically and how do I start submitting electronically?


• What will I receive when I submit requests (and appropriate payment) for criminal history record checks?


• How long will it take for me to get the results?


• Is there a fee for state and national criminal history checks?


• Can I contact a local law enforcement agency to do these checks and not pay the associated fees?


• How do I receive and view the criminal history results after submitting electronically?


• How should my organization use the results of our requests for criminal history record checks?


• How long is the criminal history record check valid?


• Is juvenile criminal history released as part of a criminal history check?


• What if there is no court disposition in the criminal history record?


• Does FDLE maintain records of all arrests, including Notices to Appear and Direct Files?


• Does FDLE maintain a record of all criminal history records in the nation or just for the state of Florida?


• If I deny a person the opportunity to volunteer with or be employed by the qualified entity, may I give a copy of the FDLE and FBI criminal history record check to the applicant? What if the applicant indicates the record is incorrect?


• How often will VECHS audits be performed?


• Can I share results I receive on individuals with other VECHS entities?

Under provisions of Section 1002.421 of the Florida Statutes, The Florida Department of Education (DOE) Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice or your attorney will be able to confirm who is required to be fingerprinted in order to have state and national criminal history record checks. They will also be able to confirm when these must be submitted.

• What is meant by "retention of applicant fingerprints" and "arrest hit notifications"?


• May I retain volunteer fingerprints?


• Are private school owners under the same requirements as private school employees and contracted personnel?

• Criminal History Record Check


• Level 1 and Level 2 Criminal History Record Checks


• Civil Workflow Control System (CWCS)


• Qualified Entity


• Child


• Elderly Person


• Disabled Person


• Care