Background, Reference and Education Verification

Overview of Background Investigations

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center conducts a pre-employment background check for all staff, faculty and friends working at the University. All new hires to the University must be willing to submit to a background investigation and reference check.

Our background investigations are used to determine if an applicant may be unqualified for a position due to a record of criminal conviction, motor vehicle violations, poor credit history, or misrepresentation regarding education or work history.

Our employment checks generally involve requesting verification documentation of a candidate's current and previous employment, volunteer work, or internship.  

Verification of Education

According to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center policies, certain official records are required to be maintained on all employees permanently. The Human Resources Records Office is responsible for collecting and authenticating educational records.

Applicants must submit official transcripts from accredited schools or universities demonstrating your highest level of education completed prior to your start date. If your transcript does not specify that a degree was conferred, you must also provide an official degree certificate.

Our office will make a conditional offer of employment on the basis of hand-delivered transcripts received in an institutionally sealed envelope that carries an official stamp, seal and/or authorizing signature of the issuing institution. To clear the condition and begin official employment, we must receive an official transcript mailed directly from the issuing institution.

The Office of Human Resources will submit any suspect documents to the issuing institution for verification. Applicants, who have submitted falsified documentation or who have failed to declare their complete academic history, will be disqualified from further employment consideration. Transcripts, certificates and other formal academic credentials not in English must also be translated by a certified translator and included with the original document.

Verification of Foreign Education Credentials

Education received in foreign colleges or universities will be considered if the applicant submits an evaluation of the coursework from an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education  which shows the coursework is equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university.

Or, the applicant submits an evaluation of the coursework to a University Approved Foreign Credentialing Evaluation Agency  that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. The official evaluation must be mailed directly to our office from the evaluating agency.

Our mailing address is:

University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Human Resources
910 Madison Avenue, Suite WP012, 1st Floor
Memphis, TN 38163