The purpose of conducting background checks is to determine whether a person has any criminal, abuse and neglect, or reportable conduct  history that may pose a risk to the health and safety of children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. There are different types of background checks that DFPS is authorized to perform:

  • FBI Fingerprint Check: A fingerprint-based criminal history 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 consist of US- based arrests and dispositions obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports, and other information submitted by agencies with criminal justice responsibilities.
  • Texas Named-Based Criminal History Check (DPS Check):  A  history search of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) database of crimes committed in Texas that uses a person’s name instead of fingerprints.
  • Central Registry Check:  A name-based search of the DFPS Texas Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. 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 check identifies persons who have been found by the Child Protective Investigations division of DFPS or the Provider Investigation Program of the Health and Human Services Commission's Regulatory Services Department to have abused or neglected a child. In addition, the Central Registry identifies persons currently listed as alleged perpetrators of child abuse or neglect in an active DFPS investigation.
  • Reportable Conduct Check: Checks completed by DFPS through the Search Engine for Multi-Agency Reportable Conduct (SEMARC) program. 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:
    1. provided any required notice or opportunity to contest the determination; and
    2. issued a final determination.
  • DFPS History Check: A search of DFPS records of investigations of child or adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Texas, and any services that may have been provided because of those investigations. The search identifies all Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Child Care Licensing case investigations that mention the person’s name, regardless of the person’s role or relationship in the case. This check type is also referred to as FPS History Check.
  • Out-of-State Abuse and Neglect History Check: A search of other states’ records of investigations and cases of reported child abuse and neglect. 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.
  • Out-of-State Criminal History Check: A search of another state database of crimes committed in the other state or territory and dispositions. Checks for criminal 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.