4.1 Criminal Background Check

Instructions

One of the requirements to attend the University of Washington is submitting your criminal background ​check (CBC). The original CBC should have been completed within two weeks of acceptance to the UWSOM and the Request for Criminal History Information, Consent, Self-Disclosure and Release of Information form should have been submitted as well. 

The CBC must be repeated in January of Second year, January of Fourth year, and, if students have an expanded curriculum, every two years thereafter in order to remain in compliance. All students, including those on a leave of absence and those​ in a concurrent degree program, are required to maintain compliance. If you have any questions about the status of your CBC compliance, please contact SOMcompl@uw.edu. ​

Criminal background check for incoming first-year students

​​​Accepted applicants are required to initiate the criminal background check (CBC) administered through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Washington state law requires that all individuals who have access to children under 16 years of age, developmentally disabled people, and other vulnerable persons, disclose background information concerning crimes and offenses against these populations. A nationwide criminal background search is mandatory for all accepted applicants. The accepted student must initiate the search within two weeks of receiving the acceptance notification email.

Upon acceptance, you will receive an email notification from Certiphi Screening Inc., requesting that you log in to their website and complete the criminal background check. If you have already completed the CBC for other schools you have been accepted to, the report will automatically be released to the UWSOM (please note this only applies to schools that are participating in AMCAS).  

To complete the Request for Criminal History Information, Consent, Self-Disclosure and Release of Information form, please see instructions emailed from UWSOM compliance staff and also review your “pre-matriculation checklist” located on the Admissions application portal. The Admissions application portal uses a web-based vendor called AMP. 

Non-Washington Residents - Washington State Patrol CBC

All incoming students are required by Washington state law to complete a background check through the Washington State Patrol.  If you are not a Washington state resident, you will receive an email from UWSOM compliance staff requesting that you complete this additional CBC and also find instructions on your “pre-matriculation checklist” located on the Admissions application portal.

Criminal background check for returning students

Please email somcompl@uw.edu for instructions on placing an order to renew your criminal background check. 

Note: MS2 students should not order another background check until January of their second year, to satisfy the second year CBC requirement. MS2 students who complete a CBC earlier due to clerkship site compliance requirements will be considered “off cycle” from the main cohort and might be required to complete two background checks as an MS4 student. UWSOM policy states that graduating MS4 students need to complete a CBC in January of their fourth year, regardless of the date of their previous CBC.

Completion frequency: 

A criminal background check must be completed every two years - at matriculation, in January prior to the Patient Care Phase, and in January of the Explore and Focus Phase. If a student extends their training beyond four years, they will be required to complete additional background checks.

How to access your criminal background check on Evalue:

  1. Log in to eValue with your UW Net ID at the eValue launch page.
  2. Select the "School of Medicine" program
  3. Select "Home" and then in the sub-menu select "Other tasks"
  4. Select "Manage Personal Records"