Background Checks

Background Checks are now required before students can attend clinical. This is a mandate from the area hospitals and clinical facilities.

• The two background check agencies that are accepted are listed to the left. Students are responsible for completing the background application process.



• Each student is also responsible for ensuring that a copy is sent to the nursing program director by the background check company.



• Clinical facilities will determine what constitutes an unacceptable background check. If there is an incorrect result that can be resolved quickly, the student will need to work with the background check company to clear up the discrepancy. If there is a criminal history that cannot be cleared up prior to the start of clinical, the student will need to apply to their Board of Nurse Examiners at www.bne.state.tx.us, for a Declaratory Order (go to forms, then to Declaratory Order) and reapply to the Nursing program when this process is completed. The Board of Nursing excuses one Minor in Possession, (unless the student is still a minor) but all other misdemeanors and/or felonies must be investigated. The BNE will evaluate each candidate individually, which includes a fee, an FBI background check, and may take up to one year for results. The Board will make a determination on eligibility for licensure, but each clinical facility makes a decision regarding student placement and/or hire.

Please Note: Texas Department of Health is mandating that all health professions students complete the Hepatitis B immunization series prior to beginning direct patient care or show confirmation of immunity to Hepatitis B virus. Applicants to the nursing programs are urged to begin this series as soon as possible, as it takes six months to complete all of the immunizations. (1st immunization, 2nd one is one month later, 3rd is 6 months after the 1st). We ask students to have this completed before classes begin. If need be, the student can take the fast track series (1st immunization, 2nd one is one month later, 3rd is another month later after 2nd and 4th booster at one year from the first. Students begin their clinical rotations during the first week of the nursing program.