Online Student Background Screening

The University of Texas – Pan American (UTPA) Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP) rule 6.7.6 requires that student criminal background checks be conducted. This HOP Policy specifies that students within the College of Education who will be assigned to pursue learning and or practica-related activities in an educational institution or other sites where it is deemed necessary to protect individuals undergo a criminal background check prior to obtaining final admission.

Undergraduate or graduate students seeking to obtain a teaching or professional certificate must submit to a criminal history check as one of the admission criteria as they interact directly with minors. Thus, all undergraduate students seeking admission into a teacher preparation program as well as graduate students seeking admission into the Guidance and Counseling, School Psychology, Educational Diagnostician, Masters of Educational Administration, Principal or Superintendent programs will need to have a criminal background check.

UTPA College of Education has contracted with a third party, FC Background, to conduct student criminal background screening services. You will not pay UTPA for this service but rather electronically to FC Background when accessing their website.

In order to complete your student criminal background check, you will need to leave the College of Education website and click on the link below to FC Background.

Online Background Screening Application