Violation

California Code § 87411(g)(1)Background Check Clearances

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what operators do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type A, seriousAffects rcfe34 facilities cited in the last 90 days

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to residents. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer

Regulation text

What California Code § 87411(g)(1) actually says

California Code § 87411(g)(1)

Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by law or Department regulations or

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

LPAs will request your staff roster during any inspection and immediately check clearance status. If even one staff member lacks a valid California clearance or exemption, your facility receives a Type A citation. Keep a secure, updated clearance log to avoid this immediate risk.

By the numbers

34^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
12^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady; Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

34 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other operators do

Common practices to stay clear of Background Check Clearances

Common practices shared by operators. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Obtain a California criminal record clearance for all staff.
Secure a valid exemption if a criminal record exists.
Verify clearances are current and approved by the Department.
Maintain records of all employee clearances on site.

What to avoid

Allowing staff to work before clearance is officially granted.
Failing to track exemption renewal dates.
Incomplete criminal record submissions to CDSS.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.

Regional citations for Background Check Clearances, last 90 days
County	Citations
Sacramento	6
Alameda	5
Los Angeles	4
Riverside	3
Contra Costa	3
Orange	2
Santa Barbara	2
San Bernardino	2
Butte	1
San Mateo	1

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-07-13Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is a background check clearance violation?

A violation under Title 22, Section 87411(g)(1) happens when an RCFE employs someone without a valid California criminal record clearance or exemption. The rule exists to keep residents safe from individuals with disqualifying criminal histories. Facilities must verify every employee is fully cleared before they begin working.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

According to public CCLD inspection records, 31 California RCFEs were cited for this issue. It is classified as a Type A violation because unauthorized or uncleared staff pose an immediate risk to resident safety. This means inspectors treat missing clearances as a serious failure.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for missing clearances?

A Type A citation is issued, requiring immediate correction. The facility must remove the uncleared staff member from direct contact with residents right away. Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B citations. The operator must also submit a plan of correction to the local CCLD office.

How do I fix or prevent a clearance violation?

Verify the status of every employee through the California Department of Social Services before their first day of work. Keep a dedicated binder or secure digital log of all clearance letters and exemptions. Check this log regularly to spot expiring documents and ensure no one falls through the cracks.

Does a clearance violation affect my RCFE license?

Yes, repeated failures to obtain California clearances can trigger increased inspections and licensing review. The Community Care Licensing Division views unapproved staff as a direct threat to resident safety. If left uncorrected, it can lead to probation, conditions on your license, or even revocation.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

Every California assisted living facility's citation record is free to read. Browse facilities by county or look one up by name.

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