Criminal Background Checks

Texas State University – Medical Laboratory Science Program
Community Standard for Criminal Background Checks

Purpose

Community Standards for criminal background checks were developed in conjunction with the CLS Advisory Committee to meet clinical agency compliance with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards pertaining to human resource management. JCAHO requires verification of competency of all individuals who have direct contact with patients or employees; this includes students attending clinical rotations in the facility. Competency extends beyond technical skills to an individual's criminal history.

Implementation 

Criminal background checks for all currently enrolled and newly admitted MLS students will be implemented MLS students must successfully complete one criminal background checks in August before starting the program. Students will be given specific directions from the program about how to obtain the background check. A urine drug screen is required before starting clinical rotations in the January of the second year in the program. DO NOT complete a criminal background check or urine drug screen until requested by the MLS department. These tests must be completed using the PreCheck.

Please carefully and fully review the following form which you will be required to sign and submit if accepted to the Texas State University Medical Laboratory Science Program.

Click Here for Background Check Acknowledgement Form

Allocation of Cost 

Cost of the criminal background checks and urine drug test will be the responsibility for any students enrolled in the MLS Program.

When to complete the Criminal Background Check

If you are accepted into the MLS Program, you will receive an acceptance email or letter.  After accepting your admission into the MLS Program, you will receive information via email on steps to complete and pay for your background check. The background check information is normally sent in late July or early August.

Criminal Convictions and CLS/MLS Employment

The State of Texas does not have licensure for CLS/MLS professionals.  However, the following states do have licensure: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and West Virginia.  A criminal conviction may hinder an applicant's ability to get a license in these states.  In addition, employment in Texas in some hospitals labs and reference labs could be precluded due to certain criminal convictions in an applicant's background.