Criminal Background Check Information

Effective December 5, 2005 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science will conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all applicants admitted to the medical school prior to matriculation. Criminal background checks protects the safety of students, faculty, staff, and patients, and is required by Illinois state law.

The criminal background check is not a component of the application, interview, or decision-making process for the school. It is, however, a mandatory component of the post-acceptance matriculation process.

When will the background check be conducted?
Our offer of acceptance is contingent upon passing the mandatory criminal background check.  You will be able to complete your entire CBC process online.  You will receive an email from Certiphi approximately 60 days prior to your program start date with instructions on how to proceed.

Your CBC will remain confidential, and your permanent student record will only indicate that you successfully completed this matriculation requirement.  All students who have not had their criminal background check completed by matriculation will be considered "provisionally matriculated" until their criminal background results are reviewed by Rosalind Franklin University.

Why are criminal background checks being conducted?
Criminal background checks:

• Protect the safety of Rosalind Franklin University students, staff, faculty, and patients and employees of our clinical partners.
• Are required by law.  The State of Illinois passed the Medical School Matriculant Criminal History Records Check Act (Public Act 094-0709) requires applicants admitted to a medical school located in Illinois must submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history records check before they may be approved for matriculation. 

What will happen if a criminal record is revealed in by criminal background check?
The Criminal Background Check Review Committee will make a decision on your eligibility for matriculation. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Will I get to see what my criminal background check reports to the University?
If an adverse decision is made because of information obtained from the consumer report agency, you have the right to a copy of the report (FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).  If you are denied matriculation or continued enrollment due to information obtained in the criminal background check, you will receive a letter from the University and a copy of the report used in making the decision.