This page explains the terms commonly used by DFPS when conducting background checks. The terms listed are the preferred terms, but each definition also includes a list of "also known as" (AKA) terms you may hear depending on the type of background check you need or which DFPS program is helping you. This page also includes information related to the process or results for each check type.

- click the term to read the definition -

Central Registry Check

Definition

A name-based search of the DFPS Central Registry in the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas (IMPACT) system. The DFPS Central Registry contains records of child abuse and neglect investigations in Texas, as required by Texas Family Code §261.002.

The Central Registry contains only investigations that meet both of the following criteria:

  1. Child Protective Investigations (which includes Child Care Investigations), or Health and Human Services Provider Investigations gathered the information during an investigation of child abuse or neglect.
  2. One of the following applies:
    • The person has a role of designated perpetrator or sustained perpetrator in a case with a disposition of Reason to Believe or Confirmed.
    • The person is listed as an alleged perpetrator in an open investigation of child abuse or neglect.

Note: While Adult Protective Services (APS) facility investigations involving child victims are included in the Central Registry, APS facility investigations involving adult victims are not included.

Process

A function in the IMPACT system processes the Central Registry check and generates a report with the results. The report will show one of the following outcomes:

  • The subject is not listed in the Central Registry (cleared).
  • The subject is listed as an alleged perpetrator in an open child abuse or neglect investigation. The results will include the name of the DFPS program conducting the investigation and the case ID.
  • The subject is listed as a designated perpetrator of child abuse or neglect in a case. The results will include the name of the DFPS program that conducted the investigation and the case ID.
  • The subject is listed as a sustained perpetrator of child abuse or neglect in a case. The results will include the name of the program that conducted the investigation and the case ID.

Also Known As (AKA)

  • DFPS Central Registry Check
  • Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Check
  • Central Registry History Check
  • DFPS Abuse or Neglect Registry
  • Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect Check
  • Texas Central Registry Check
  • Central Registry Findings
  • Child Protective Services (CPS) History Check
DFPS History Check

Definition

A name-based search in the DFPS Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas (IMPACT) system, of records of investigations of child or adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Texas. The search identifies all Child Protective Investigations, Adult Protective Services Investigations, Provider Investigations, and Child Care Licensing Investigations that mention the subject of the background check, regardless of the subject’s role or relationship in the case.

Process

A DFPS History Check is different from a review of a person's case history. A DFPS History Check is performed in the IMPACT system through:

  • A manual Person Search using the subject's name, or
  • A batch report that searches for multiple subjects by name.

IMPACT processes the DFPS History Check and provides a report that contains any investigation in which the subject is on the Person List and includes the case ID; case name; program; type of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; the subject's role; and whether the subject is a "Principal" or "Collateral".

Also Known As (AKA)

  • FPS History Check
  • IMPACT Check
  • DFPS History of Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation
  • IMPACT History
  • Abuse and Neglect Background Check
  • DFPS Records Check
  • DFPS Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation History
  • DFPS IMPACT History
  • Abuse and Neglect Records Check
FBI Exigent Check

Definition

A name-based criminal history search of the FBI’s national database. Results include arrests and dispositions (outcomes) obtained from fingerprint records, disposition reports, and other information submitted to the FBI by agencies with criminal justice responsibilities.

Note: This type of check is only used in emergency situations to help CPS staff quickly assess the safety of a family-initiated Parental Child Safety Placement, if the subject has lived outside of Texas within the past three years or currently lives in another state, and if the subject is an adult or emancipated minor. (See CPS Handbook Section 3212.2 Completing Background Checks for details.) After an exigent check is completed, the subject is still required to complete a full FBI Fingerprint Check within seven days.

Also Known As (AKA)

  • Expedited FBI Check
  • Expedited National Criminal History Check
  • Exigent Check
  • FBI Exigent Background Check
  • Purpose Code X Check
  • Emergency Background Check
  • Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
FBI Fingerprint Check

Definition

A fingerprint-based search of both the DPS database of crimes committed in Texas and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database of crimes committed within the United States. Results include arrests and dispositions (outcomes) obtained from fingerprint records, disposition reports, and other information submitted to the FBI by agencies with criminal justice responsibilities.

Process

A subject's fingerprint submission may sometimes be rejected. If so, the steps  below explain what to do next and the timeframes to complete each step:

  • If the first set of fingerprints is rejected, the person must submit a second set of fingerprints within one year of the first fingerprinting date.
  • If the second set of fingerprints is also rejected, an FBI Name Check (see details below) must be submitted within 90 days of the second rejection date.

Also Known As (AKA)

  • FBI Fingerprint-based Check
  • FBI Check
  • Fingerprint-based Criminal History Check
  • Fingerprint Check
  • Fingerprint-based Background Check
  • FBI Records Check
  • FBI Criminal History Check
  • Criminal Background Check (CBC) from FBI
  • Out-of-State Criminal History Check
  • FBI Findings
  • Adam Walsh Check
  • National Criminal Records Check
  • Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
FBI Name Check

Definition

A name-based criminal history search of the FBI’s national database. Results include arrests and dispositions (outcomes) obtained from fingerprint records, disposition reports, and other information submitted to the FBI by agencies with criminal justice responsibilities.

Note: This type of check is only available after two attempted FBI Fingerprint Checks have been rejected. The FBI Name Check request must be submitted within 90 days of the last rejection date.

Also Known As (AKA)

  • CJIS Name Search
  • FBI Name-based Search
  • Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
FBI RAP Back

Definition

A service that alerts DFPS when there are updates to a person’s criminal history after they have completed an FBI fingerprint-based check for DFPS. The term “RAP” stands for Record of Arrests and Prosecutions, which is the criminal history record used to track arrests and case outcomes.

When DFPS subscribes to a person’s criminal history record, the agency receives notifications, typically within 24 to 48 hours of qualifying events in Texas or nationwide.

Events that trigger FBI RAP Back notifications include:  

  • Arrests.
  • Updates to criminal record, such as dispositions (outcomes) or expungements.
  • Sex offender registry additions, modifications, or removals.
  • Death notifications.
Out-of-State Abuse and Neglect History Check

Definition

A name-based search of other states’ records of reported child abuse and neglect cases. The parameters of the search and the investigation standards of each state may vary, along with the terminology used. Checks for abuse and neglect history in other states may be required by DFPS for good cause, such as a reasonable belief that the subject of the check may have history.

Also Known As (AKA)

  • Out-of-State Central Registry Check
  • State Abuse and Neglect Registries
Reportable Conduct Check

Definition

A check completed by DFPS through the Search Engine for Multi-Agency Reportable Conduct (SEMARC). Reportable conduct is defined in Chapter 810 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and means a participating state agency ’s determination that an individual engaged in abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misconduct, and for which the agency has:

  • provided any required notice or opportunity to contest the determination; and
  • issued a final determination.

SEMARC combines information from the following state agencies:

  • Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) - A subset of investigative data from the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas (IMPACT) system.
  • Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) - Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR).
  • Texas Education Agency (TEA) - Do Not Hire Registry (DNHR).
  • Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) - A list of individuals who have had their certification revoked or been found ineligible to be certified to work or provide services in juvenile justice facilities or programs.

Note: Open investigation cases and names of designated perpetrators who are pending final determinations are not included in SEMARC results.

Reportable Conduct check results are used to determine an individual’s eligibility for employment, volunteer positions, certification, contracts or licensure in organizations such as childcare operations, school districts, long-term care facilities, and probation departments.

Process

DFPS Background Checks staff log into the SEMARC system through the My DFPS Application Portal (MyDAP) and start a search by entering:

  • First and Last Name
  • Date of Birth and Social Security Number


SEMARC searches for a Reportable Conduct match of the individual’s name on each of the agency’s registries. Once the search is completed, SEMARC provides one the following results:

  • Found: an agency identified an exact match.
  • Not Found: based on the information provided, no matches were identified in the registries.
  • Potential Match: one or more individuals matching the search criteria were found, and additional information may be needed to confirm the identity.
  • Pending: the agency requires additional time to process the request.
  • Error: there is an issue with either the SEMARC system or the agency data.

Also Known As (AKA)

  • SEMARC Check
  • Multi-Agency Search Engine Check
Texas Name-Based Criminal History Check

Definition

A Texas criminal history search requested through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) that uses a person’s name instead of fingerprints. Results include all Texas-based arrests and dispositions (outcomes), including convictions and cases with unknown dispositions. The search sometimes produces results on juvenile criminal history.

A fingerprint-based search of the DPS database is performed in circumstances where an FBI check is required. DPS processes the fingerprints for the FBI and conducts a search of Texas fingerprint records at the same time.

Process

DPS performs a criminal history search and sends the results to DFPS in one of two ways:

  • A clearance notice ("no hit"), indicating DPS did not find any criminal record for the person.
  • A rap sheet, containing the person's Record of Arrest and Prosecution (RAP), also called a "hit" or "match".

Also Known As (AKA)

  • Criminal Background Check (CBC)
  • Criminal History Check
  • Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
  • Criminal Records Check
  • DPS Check
  • DPS Criminal Background Check
  • DPS Criminal History Check
  • DPS Direct Checks
  • DPS Records Check
  • Name-based Background Check
  • Records Check
  • State Criminal Records Check