Criminal History Evaluations

Before participating in any field or clinical experience, students will be required to undergo school district criminal history checks.

Prior to receiving educator certification in Texas, all applicants must undergo a criminal history background check as a requirement for certification. Information regarding requirements for fingerprinting may be found on the TEA website at: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Certification/Fingerprinting/

Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility

According to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §227.101(c), a person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board of Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person’s potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.

For more information about the Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation, go to the link:

https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Preliminary_Criminal_History_Evaluation-FAQs/