To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence

2026–2027 Annual Fingerprinting and Do No Hire Registry Certification and Statement of Compliance

About This TAA

Date:
October 22, 2026
Subject:
2026–2027 Annual Fingerprinting and Do No Hire Registry Certification and Statement of Compliance
Category:
Governance
Division(s):
551- Complaints & Inquiries Division
Next Steps:
Sign, notarize, and submit your completed Annual Fingerprinting and DNHR Certification and Statement of Compliance via the Annual Certification form

Download PDF Version

2026-27-fp-dnhr-compliance-certification-blank-form.pdf

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The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is committed to student safety and to supporting educational entities in fulfilling their responsibilities under state law.

Fingerprinting and Do Not Hire Registry Requirements

Chapter 22A of the Texas Education Code (TEC) establishes fingerprinting and Do Not Hire Registry (DNHR) requirements for educational entities.

Educational entities must:

Conduct criminal history reviews for individuals subject to fingerprinting and background check requirements (TEC §22A.157); and
Access the DNHR and take any employment action required by law for individuals listed on the registry (TEC §22A.151).

For more information, including who is subject to review, visit TEA's Fingerprinting and Do Not Hire Registry Requirements webpage.

Annual Certification Requirement

Superintendents, chief operating officers, and directors of educational entities must annually certify compliance with the fingerprinting and Do Not Hire Registry requirements described above.

Please sign, notarize, and submit the completed 2026–2027 Annual Fingerprinting and Do Not Hire Registry Certification and Statement of Compliance through the Annual Certification form by Friday, November 20, 2026.

Failure to Certify

Districts and open-enrollment charter schools that fail to submit the required certification by the deadline may be subject to:

  • Inclusion in a public notice identifying districts and open-enrollment charter schools that failed to certify compliance with fingerprinting and Do Not Hire Registry requirements;
  • A special investigation under TEC §39.003 and §39.004; and
  • An investigation of the superintendent, chief operating officer, or director for failing to complete the certification as required by TEC §11.201(d)(13) or 19 Texas Administrative Code §249.15.

SBEC Sanctions for Hiring or Retaining Individuals Convicted of Certain Offenses

Pursuant to TEC §22A.157(e), the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) may impose sanctions on a certified educator who hires or retains an individual convicted of an offense identified in TEC §22A.157(a) if the conviction was identified, or reasonably should have been identified, through the required criminal history review process.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact us through the Fingerprinting and Registry Support Help Desk.