(3) if so licensed, the number and date of such

        (4) references and dates and places of previous

    Prior to employing, assigning, or referring a nurse, the agency shall contact the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to determine whether the nurse’s license is valid and in good standing. Written verification shall be sent by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation within 20 working days. At least biennially thereafter, the nurse agency shall contact the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to verify this information in writing. The nurse agency shall review the disciplinary report published by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on a monthly basis to determine whether the nurse’s license is valid and in good standing.
     (b) Every nurse agency shall cause each applicant for employment, assignment, or referral, as a certified nurse aide to complete an application form including the following information:
         (1) name and address of the applicant;
         (2) whether or not the nurse aide is registered as

        (3) references and dates and places of previous

    Prior to employing, assigning, or referring a certified nurse aide, the agency shall review the information provided on the Health Care Worker Registry to verify that the certification is valid. Prior to employing, assigning, or referring a certified nurse aide to a position at a health care employer or long-term facility as defined in the Health Care Worker Background Check Act, the nurse agency shall review the information provided on the Health Care Worker Registry to verify that the certified nurse aide is not ineligible for the position pursuant to Section 25 of the Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
     (c) Every nurse agency shall check at least 2 recent references and the dates of employment provided by the applicant, unless the applicant has not had 2 previous employers.
     (d) Knowingly employing, assigning, or referring to a health care facility a nurse or certified nurse aide with an illegally or fraudulently obtained or issued diploma, registration, license, certificate, or background study constitutes negligent hiring by a nurse agency and is a violation of this Act.
     (e) Nurses or certified nurses aides employed, assigned, or referred to a health care facility by a nurse agency shall be deemed to be employees of the nurse agency while working for the nurse agency or on nurse agency employment, assignment, or referral and may only be terminated by the nurse agency for cause.