Background Checks and Criminal Convictions

Applicants offered admission to a Baylor College of Medicine educational program may be required to complete a criminal background check as a condition of matriculation, enrollment, participation in clinical experiences, participation in educational activities, or continued enrollment. Applicants may be required to authorize the release of criminal background information and cooperate with any background check review process established by Baylor College of Medicine. All offers of admission are contingent upon satisfactory completion and review of any required criminal background check.

Applicants are required to disclose criminal history information as requested during the admissions process. Disclosures may include misdemeanor convictions, felony convictions, deferred adjudications, deferred judgments, and other criminal matters required by the applicable application process.

Failure to disclose required criminal history information, omission of material facts, falsification of information, or refusal to participate in a required background check process may result in denial of admission, rescission of an offer of admission, withdrawal of an acceptance offer, or dismissal from an educational program, if applicable.

Many Baylor College of Medicine educational programs lead to professions that require professional licensure, certification, registration, credentialing, or clinical privileges. Certain criminal convictions may affect eligibility for professional licensure, delay licensure review or approval, restrict access to clinical placements, affect graduation requirements, or limit employment opportunities in regulated professions. Applicants are encouraged to review the requirements of applicable licensing and credentialing authorities before enrolling in a program.

Current students are required to notify their School Dean or Designee of criminal arrests, criminal convictions, and other reportable criminal matters as required by Baylor College of Medicine policy. Notification must occur within five (5) business days of the arrest, conviction, adjudication, or other reportable event. This requirement applies regardless of whether the event occurred on or off campus, inside or outside Texas, or inside or outside the United States.

Reported criminal matters may be reviewed by Baylor College of Medicine and the applicable school to determine whether the matter affects patient safety, clinical placement eligibility, professionalism standards, program participation, continued enrollment, licensure eligibility, or other educational requirements. Students may be required to provide additional information or documentation as part of the review process.

Depending on the circumstances, review of a criminal matter may result in counseling, corrective action, educational remediation, restrictions on participation in educational activities, probation, suspension, dismissal, or other actions authorized by applicable institutional policies. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may itself result in disciplinary action.

Current students should understand that criminal convictions occurring before or during enrollment may affect eligibility for professional licensure, certification, registration, credentialing, clinical training opportunities, and employment in regulated professions. Licensure decisions are made by external licensing and credentialing authorities and not by Baylor College of Medicine.