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What Is a FACIS Level 3 Check?

A FACIS Level 3 check is a search of FACIS, a healthcare sanctions database owned by a private credentialing company. It looks for exclusions, debarments, sanctions and disciplinary actions against a person, including actions by licensing boards in all 56 U.S. jurisdictions. It is not a criminal record search. This guide explains what FACIS is, how Level 3 differs from Level 1M, and how it relates to the federal OIG and SAM exclusion lists.

Updated October 16, 2026 · Checked against the official sources listed at the end

What FACIS is

FACIS stands for Fraud and Abuse Control Information System. The company that owns it describes it as its own database of healthcare sanctions, exclusions, disciplinary actions and debarments, gathered from federal, state and regulatory primary sources.

That company names OIG, GSA-SAM and the FBI among its federal sources and says FACIS draws on over 3,500 primary sources. It says FACIS is updated as those sources publish, with data updated and confirmed at least every 30 days.

Level 1M vs Level 3

The owner's FACIS page compares two search levels:

Level 1M: federal sources, state Medicaid sanctions, and additional state exclusion and debarment sources. The owner says it supports screening of entities, non-licensed employees, contractors and vendors.
Level 3: everything in Level 1M, plus sanctioning boards across all 56 U.S. jurisdictions and provider types. The owner calls it the most comprehensive FACIS search and says it gives the coverage needed to screen licensed healthcare professionals.

How it relates to the OIG exclusion list (LEIE)

The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) can exclude people and companies from federally funded health care programs under section 1128 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7). Some exclusions are required by law, such as for convictions for Medicare or Medicaid fraud, patient abuse or neglect, and certain felony health care fraud and controlled substance offenses. Others are up to OIG, such as for a license suspended or revoked for reasons tied to professional competence.

OIG keeps a list of everyone currently excluded, the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). An excluded person can receive no payment from federal health care programs for items or services they furnish, order or prescribe. OIG also says anyone who hires a person on the LEIE may face civil monetary penalties, and that health care entities should routinely check the list for new hires and current employees.

The LEIE is free to search on OIG's website. A FACIS search includes OIG among its federal sources and adds many other sources, such as state boards at Level 3. See our OIG exclusion screening guide for how agencies check the LEIE.

How it relates to SAM

SAM, the System for Award Management, is run by the General Services Administration (GSA). Its exclusion records list parties the federal government has excluded from federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain federal assistance and benefits. These records used to be in the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), which moved into SAM in July 2012.

FACIS's owner lists GSA-SAM as a FACIS source.

What FACIS does not include

FACIS's owner says FACIS screening is separate from a traditional criminal background check. It focuses on healthcare sanctions, exclusions and debarments. A FACIS search alone won't tell you about criminal convictions.

That is why Pact's Premium background check pairs FACIS Level 3 with criminal searches. Premium includes an SSN trace, a national criminal search, a sex offender registry search, a global watchlist search, a county criminal search covering the last 7 years, and FACIS Level 3.

Who runs FACIS checks

OIG says health care entities should routinely check the LEIE for new hires and current employees. Checkr describes a healthcare sanctions check as one healthcare employers use to confirm candidates are in good standing. Which search a job needs depends on the employer, the facility contract and the role. If an employer or program tells you what it needs, order the package that covers it, and confirm with them before you order.

Common questions

What does FACIS stand for?

Fraud and Abuse Control Information System. It is a healthcare sanctions database owned by a private credentialing company.

Is FACIS Level 3 the same as an OIG exclusion check?

No. OIG's LEIE is one federal list. FACIS includes OIG among its federal sources and adds others, such as SAM and, at Level 3, sanctioning boards across all 56 U.S. jurisdictions.

Does a FACIS check show criminal records?

No. FACIS's owner says FACIS screening is separate from a traditional criminal background check. Criminal history comes from criminal searches, like the national and county searches in Pact's Premium check.

What is the difference between FACIS Level 1M and Level 3?

Level 1M covers federal sources, state Medicaid sanctions and other state exclusion and debarment sources. Level 3 adds sanctioning boards across all 56 U.S. jurisdictions and provider types.

Can I search the OIG list myself?

Yes. OIG offers the LEIE as a free online search and as downloadable files on oig.hhs.gov.

How do I order a FACIS Level 3 check from Pact?

It is part of Pact's $70 Premium background check, run through Checkr. The person being checked gets an email link to enter their details and give consent before anything runs. Orders are taken now and start when Pact's Checkr account opens; Checkr then emails the person.