(1) The department determines a long-term care worker's date of hire according to the first day the long-term care worker is employed by any employer.

(2) The date of hire is specific to each long-term care worker. A long-term care worker, including an individual who has worked as a long-term care worker in the past, but who did not complete the training or certification that was required at the time, and a worker who is not currently certified or eligible to reactivate an expired credential, shall receive a new date of hire when beginning work with either a new employer or returning to a former employer after prior employment has ended.

(3) This section does not apply to background check requirements under this chapter.