Start here if you’re stuck on the intake form

If you’re trying to choose between FDLE, FDLE Level 2, or FDLE Level 2 with AHCA, don’t guess. The “right” option is whatever the requesting employer, licensing board, or agency requires.

In some cases, the paperwork decides for you:

AHCA may also be signaled by statute references. Some instructions won’t say “AHCA” plainly, but may reference Florida statutes instead. Language like “Chapter 435, Florida Statutes” or “background screening pursuant to s. 435.04, F.S.” is a strong indicator that an AHCA-connected screening path is required.

The safest question to ask the requester is: “Do you need Florida-only results, Florida + FBI (national) results, or a Level 2 screening with AHCA for this role?”

ORI Numbers

What an ORI Actually Is (and what it is not)

An ORI (Originating Agency Identifier) is best thought of as a routing address. It tells the system which agency is requesting the background check and where the results must be delivered.

If someone walks in with “just an ORI,” the professional move is not to guess. It’s to ask the requester what scope they require: Florida-only or Florida + FBI, and whether AHCA is explicitly required.

The Terminology Trap

Why “Level 1” Online Explanations Make LiveScan Feel Like a Paradox

You’ll often see: “Level 1 is name-based and does not include fingerprinting.” That description exists in the world — but it collides with reality because many workflows still send people to LiveScan even when the requester only wants Florida results.

In other words: fingerprinting does not automatically mean FBI. The FBI piece is what turns a screening into “Level 2.”

That’s why a person can be fingerprinted and still be in a Florida-only workflow, depending on what the requester is actually requiring.

The AHCA Layer

AHCA Is About Access — Not the Job Title

AHCA screening is where confusion spikes, because people assume “healthcare” means “doctor or nurse.” In practice, AHCA-connected screening requirements usually follow the concept of access in regulated environments.

This is why roles like maintenance, housekeeping, dietary staff, administrative staff, and certain contractors can fall under the same umbrella, depending on where they work and what access they have.

If AHCA is required, your instructions will usually say it plainly (AHCA / Agency for Health Care Administration), or reference statute language (commonly Chapter 435 references). If it doesn’t, and you’re unsure, the correct step is to ask the requester.

The Clearinghouse

“Background Screening Clearinghouse” Does Not Automatically Mean “AHCA”

This is where many people get trapped: they see the words “Clearinghouse” and assume it automatically means “AHCA healthcare screening.” In reality, clearinghouse language can show up in multiple contexts.

If you have a Screening ID, treat that as a strong signal that you’re in a structured Level 2 workflow tied to that screening record. Whether it is specifically “AHCA” depends on what the requester’s instructions say.

Fees and Labels

Can the Fee Schedule Tell You What to Pick?

Sometimes fee labels (like a “national fee”) are visible when an ORI is entered. That can be a clue — but it is not a substitute for the requester’s instructions. The authority to define what is required does not come from the applicant’s best guess or the most cautious checkbox.

If the requester can’t tell you what level is required, ask them the scope question (Florida-only vs Florida + FBI) and whether AHCA is explicitly required. If they still can’t answer, they need to contact the agency that will receive and use the results.

Authority and Decision-Making

Why “Just Do Level 2 to Be Safe” Is Not the Right Approach

It’s understandable to think a “higher” screening is automatically acceptable. In practice, the result may be unusable if it doesn’t match the requester’s requirement, and it can create a costly redo for the applicant.

If you’re an employer filling out the form for a new hire, the best move is to confirm the scope with the agency that will be receiving and use the results. That’s how you avoid “we can’t accept this” after the fingerprints are already captured.

Copy/Paste Script

The One Message That Solves 90% of This

If you’re unsure, send this exact question to the employer, licensing board, or agency requesting the background check:

Once you have that answer, return to the intake form and select the matching option. If you don’t have that answer yet, pause and ask before proceeding.

The goal here is simple: no guessing, no re-dos, no surprises. If the requester can’t clearly tell you what they require, they need to contact the agency that will receive and use the results.