Enacted on March 8, 2022 the new South Dakota law mandates that criminal background checks are required for:

• ambulatory service employees;
• emergency medical technicians; and
• advanced life support personnel.

South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1122 (H.B. 1122) requires that each applicant for certification/licensure for any of the aforementioned positions must submit to a state and federal criminal background check, to be conducted via fingerprint collection. The applicant's fingerprints are to be submitted to the Division of Criminal Investigation (Division) to conduct a criminal background check by both the Division and the FBI. Applicants will be required to sign a release of information to the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners (Board) and pay any fees associated with the fingerprint collection and/or background check process.

Once the check is completed, results will be delivered to the Board. The Board will then utilize this information to make a determination regarding the applicant's certification/licensure status. Licenses and/or certifications may not be issued to an applicant prior to the Board reviewing the applicant's criminal record history and rendering a decision.

Employers are encouraged to review the details involved with H.B. 1122 and ensure that internal background checks processes are adjusted accordingly. For Certiphi clients that have questions or concerns regarding the terms of this new bill, please contact client services or your account management team.

Posted: March 28, 2022