Pre-Employment Screening and Background Checking Procedures

Introduction

In March 2005, pre-employment screening polices were implemented by the Arizona Board of Regents to create a safe and secure workplace and to ensure that employees at the three Arizona state Universities are qualified for the positions for which they are hired. As a result, pre-employment screening is now required of every finalist, which includes verification of academic credentials, work history and licenses. From March 2005 to June 2006, name-based criminal background checks were conducted on finalists in security- or safety-sensitive positions.

Effective August 1, 2006, The University of Arizona Pre-employment Screening Policy 103.1 was amended to comply with Arizona Revised Statute 15-1649, which requires finalists hired into security- or safety-sensitive positions to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check. All other finalist in non-security- or safety-sensitive positions must undergo a name-based criminal background check. Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) checks are conducted in conjunction with both criminal background checks.

Beginning August 1, 2006, criminal background and DMV checks will be coordinated by Human Resources. The hiring department will be responsible for the $58.00 cost associated with this service. The finalist for a security- or safety-sensitive position will be required to pay between $5.00 to $12.00 to have their fingerprints rolled by the University of Arizona Police Department or other law enforcement agency or private vendor. Departments may continue to conduct their own standard pre-employment screening (academic credentials, employment history and licensure) or they may elect to use the services of the university vendor.