Background Checks & Immunization

Background Checks by Program

Many professions require background checks.  Bellevue College requires students in its health and education programs to obtain national background checks at specific points in the course of the program. Depending on the program you are in, these policies are slightly different.  The information below provides a general summary. Contact the individual program you are interested in for more information.

Health Sciences programs

• Includes: Associate Degree Nursing, Certified Nurse Aide, Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy Technology, Diagnostic Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine Technology
  Acceptance into these programs is contingent on a national background check, and one or more additional checks will be done in the course of the program. 

Early Learning and Teacher Education programs

• Includes: Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Infant and Toddler Care
  Courses with a clinical-practicum component require a background check.  These courses note that fact in the syllabus and the Bellevue College course catalog.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling program

• Licensure by the Washington State Department of Health as a Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee (CDPT) is required prior to placement in a clinical site. Washington State Department of Health completes background checks on applicants for the CDPT license.

Immunizations

Health Sciences

Health sciences programs also require that the following immunizations, skin tests and/or titers must be documented prior to entering the program:

• Tetanus Diphtheria
• Initial series as a child
• booster within last 5 years
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Born in 1956 or earlier considered immune - no immunization required
• Born in 1957 or later - immunization or positive titer
• Hepatitis B (2 of 3 doses or signed declination)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Personal verbal history verified by family member OR
• Positive varicella titer OR
• Immunization
• TB Skin Test
• 2 step method
• Chest x-ray results if positive PPD

Early Learning and Teacher Education programs

In the Early Learning and Teacher Education programs, those courses in which students work directly with children require a TB skin test.