COLLEGE OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PREVIOUS FELONY CONVICTIONS
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Many of the health centers where Allied Health Professions’ students perform their clinical rotations
require initial background checks for misdemeanors/felony convictions before allowing a student to start
his/her practicum. In some cases background checks are also required when graduates join the
workforce as well as prior to taking professional licensing examinations.
This document describes the policy and procedures concerning mandatory background checks for all
students enrolled in the College of Allied Health Professions with the exception of those students
pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Students will be informed of these requirements at the time
of their application for enrollment in the College.
The background checks will be run on line, by CertifiedBackground.com, unless the health centers
where students will perform their clinical rotations require fingerprinting, in which the background
check will be run by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. More information about these two sources is
in included at the end of this document.
Procedures for Background Checks upon Admission to the Professional Component
A student applying for admission to a professional component of a program in the College of Allied
Health Professions will be asked to indicate in his/her application if he/she has had a previous felony
conviction. When a student is accepted for admission to the program, he/she will be informed that
his/her acceptance will be pending a negative background check as defined in section carried out by the
appropriate agency. Admissions will be withdrawn for students failing to authorize a background check.
After review by the program and consultation with the applicant, admission may be withdrawn based on
the findings of the background check.
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All costs associated with the background check will be the responsibility of the student.
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Background checks inquire about criminal records only. Information about a student’s credit
status, for example, will not be checked.
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Criminal background checks are conducted to identify pending cases, criminal records for the
past 7 years, and prior convictions.
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Included with the acceptance letter, students will be sent an authorization form for background
checks and information concerning how to proceed. Students must complete the authorization
form and mail it back by the deadline specified by each department.
The company performing background checks will notify the chair of the department when the results of
the check become available. The original reports will be stored in a locked cabinet in the office of the
Dean of the College of Allied Health Professions.
In the event of a finding on a background check, the department chairperson will meet with the applicant
or student to review the background check results and potential implications. The meeting will be
documented with a form to be signed by the applicant or students, which will be kept with the student’s
records (see attachment). Decisions about withdrawal of admission or dismissal from the program will
be made on an individual basis. The student will be notified that the program cannot predict the future
implications, both during clinical rotations and after graduation, of the background check results.
Before taking any adverse action, the student will be provided with a copy of the report. Students may
appeal any adverse decision by the Chairperson, within five business days, to the Dean of the College of
Allied Health Professions.
Disclaimers:
Students signing on-line to have their background checks run by CertifiedBackground.com will have to
sign the following disclaimer:
As an applicant and/or purchaser of a CertifiedBackground.com background check I have read,
understand and agree to the following disclaimer. I attest that I am requesting this background on myself
and have not falsified my identity to obtain a background check on anyone other than myself. The
information provided to CertifiedBackground.com (hereinafter, "The Company") is true to the best of
my knowledge and belief. I understand and agree that all information furnished in my application and all
attachments may be verified by The Company or its authorized representative. I hereby authorize all
individuals and organizations named or referred to in my application and any law enforcement
organization to give The Company all information relative to such verification and hereby release such
individuals, organizations, and The Company from any and all liability for any claim or damage
resulting therefrom. I hereby acknowledge that I have been informed by The Company that The
Company may seek to obtain a consumer report and/or investigative report that will include personal
information regarding me, including but not limited to, educational history, work references, driving
record, and criminal convictions or arrest records if allowed, in order to assist The Company in
completing a thorough background investigation. I further acknowledge notification by The Company
that reports may be provided to The Company by other firms subcontracted for that purpose. I, my heirs,
assigns and legal representatives, hereby release and fully discharge The Company, its parent and
affiliated companies and the respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents of each,
including subcontractors, from any and all claims, monetary or otherwise, that I may have against The
Company, it's parent, affiliates or subcontractors, arising out of the making, or use of, either a consumer
report and/or investigative report, including any errors or omissions contained or omitted from such
reports or investigations. The Applicant agrees to pay all attorneys' fees, litigation costs, court costs
and/or collection fees associated with the collection of delinquent accounts. No changes in these
conditions may be made except by consent in writing of an officer of Castle Branch, Inc.
CertifiedBackground.com is a division of Castle Branch, Inc. You may obtain a free copy of "A
Summary of Your Rights Under The Fair Credit Reporting Act" by visiting http://www.ftc.gov.
ADDENDA
Suggested agencies authorized to run background checks
Students in the departments of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Cardiorespiratory Care, Physical Therapy,
Physician Assistant Studies, Radiological Sciences and Speech Pathology and Audiology are required to
complete the background check information on-line, unless the health care facility where they will be
rotating requires fingerprinting. The on-line agency used for these checks is:
CertifiedBackground.com
Students who are considered “volunteers” instead of “students in training” who will be rotating at DHRlicensed facilities fall within the definitions indicated the Alabama Act 2000-775, which requires. In
this case students need to be fingerprinted and the background check will be run by the Alabama Bureau
of Investigation. Occupational Therapy students fall within this category. In this case the contact site is:
Alabama Bureau of Investigation
Identification Unit
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
University of South Alabama
College of Allied Health Professions
Date: ___________________
Applicant / Student name: ___________________________________
Student number: ________________________
Faculty advisor: _____________________________________
Faculty advisor signature: _______________________________________
I recognize that my criminal background check has revealed evidence of a previous charge or conviction
of a felony / misdemeanor (please circle) on my record. While the faculty cannot realistically determine
whether this will have any future impact on my ability to work in my profession, I do understand that the
following issues could arise during my time as a student or as a graduate of the program.
1.
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6.
Certain rotation sites could deny me access for a rotation.
Hospitals or other health care institutions could refuse to allow me access for
a clinical experience.
The above two issues could make it impossible for me to complete the clinical
portion of my education and therefore not graduate.
Upon graduation, a state licensing agency could refuse to grant me a license.
As a licensed professional, certain health care institutions could refuse to grant
me privileges.
There could be other, unforeseen, impacts of this incident on my ability to
practice as a professional.
Student signature: ____________________________________________
Date: ____________________