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State Laws and Compliance Requirements for Hiring in Texas Schools

To protect students and ensure safe learning environments, Texas schools must follow specific laws and rules when hiring employees and contractors.  These requirements help ensure that only qualified, trustworthy individuals work in or around schools. 

Annual Compliance Certification

Every year, school districts and charter schools must confirm they are following all background check laws. This annual certification helps ensure that students are supported by safe, qualified adults.

Who submits the certification?

  • Superintendents of public school districts
  • Chief operating officers of open-enrollment charter schools

What must be confirmed?

  • All required background checks, including fingerprinting, have been completed
  • Contractors who work around students have been properly screened
  • No one with certain serious criminal convictions is employed or allowed on campus

How does the compliance process work?

Note:  Some schools may have completed background checks but failed to submit the required certification form.  Every year, TEA tracks and follows up on these cases to ensure full compliance. 

Applicable Laws and Rules 

  

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Parent Complaint Navigator

View Parent Complaint Navigator

Our Parent Complaint Navigator will ask you a short series of multiple-choice questions and, based on your responses, provide you with the information and resources you need to address your specific question or concern.

Contact Information

Phone: (512) 936-8400
Phone Options:
Option 2-Educator Preparation and Certification 
Option 3-Fingerprinting
Option 6-Investigations
Testing questions: (512) 463-9039

Help Desk for account access assistance.