Frequently Asked Questions for Licensure Programs

How do I apply for a licensure program?

We invite you to research the options the College offers by visiting the Health Care programs web page. When you apply to become a student at Tri-C, you will need to select the program you are interested in from the drop-down menu on Tri-C's Getting Started web page. This starts the communication process between you and the prospective program director. Please check your Tri-C email regularly.

The request for information is a new part of the Health Careers enrollment process. You will receive an email acknowledging your interest in the program from the program staff. They will be able to answer your questions and provide you with a checklist to track your progress.

For any questions about prerequisite courses or your academic progress, connect with an academic counselor or the program staff directly.

Visit the Academic Counseling web page for more information or to schedule an appointment.

How old do I have to be to participate in a Health Careers program?

All clinical education partners require that students be at least 18 years old while participating in the clinical education experience and providing direct patient care.

To be eligible to apply for licensure in any Health Careers program, you must complete a predetermined number of clinical education experience hours monitored by the program's accrediting agency. If the minimum age requirement is not met by the time your clinical experiences are completed, you will not be able to complete all the program requirements to qualify to sit for licensure.

What if I need help with paying for courses?

Financial aid helps students and their families pay for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books and supplies. Tri-C offers three types of financial aid: scholarships, work-study and loans. For more information, visit Tri-C's Paying for College web page.

If you are interested in the STNA or Community Health Worker programs, you can apply for a Workforce Training Scholarship.

Will I need an FBI/BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) report?

Yes, all students participating in Health Careers programs must complete a background check to be cleared for onsite clinical/practicum rotations. These reports are not shared with the program staff. They are only shared with designated staff at the clinical site if there is a discrepancy. They are housed in a password-protected database (ADB/Complio) that student subscribers can access.

Are there health requirements to participate in licensure programs?

Yes, there are health care requirements (including immunizations) for all Health Careers programs. The College follows the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for health care professionals. Clinical sites may have their own requirements, which overlap and complement the College's standards.

Learn more in Tri-C's School of Nursing and Health Professions Requirements Guide.

A cost is associated with these requirements. Once you identify a program of interest, check with the program staff to understand these requirements. You will want to get these completed as soon as possible, as delays will impact your participation at clinical sites and progress in the program. All sites have health requirements (such as immunizations) for patient-facing staff and, in some cases, even for those who are not. If you have health or religious concerns about some immunizations, other options must be approved by the clinical/practicum site — not the College.

* Remember to check with your chosen program before you begin any activities as there is a cost involved.

As you begin your chosen program, you will need to participate in several specific activities that have an associated cost as you prepare to attend your clinical. Each of these activities is explained below. They include a background check, certain health requirements and a drug screening, depending on the clinical site you are attending.

* Remember to check with your chosen program before you begin any activities as there is a cost involved.

Mandatory Onboarding Session

The first step in this process is to register for and attend a mandatory onboarding session with the Clinical Compliance staff. Visit Tri-C's Clinical Compliance web page and click on the "Register for a Clinical Compliance Training Session" link.

FBI/BCI

What is a background check?

The background check is a report generated by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at the Ohio Attorney General's Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is a requirement for all licensing agencies according to the Ohio Revised Code (*ORC) associated with the program you are registered for. A background check consists of two parts: the BCI for the state of Ohio and the FBI for a nationwide search. It is ordered through our third-party administrator, ADB/Complio.

Many public and private clinical/practicum sites require background checks for placement purposes and will certainly require them when you obtain employment as part of the hiring process.

How much does the FBI/BCI background check cost?

The cost of a background check varies. The BCI/FBI background check is currently priced at $130 and covers the following items:

• OH BCI and FBI fingerprinting through Fast Fingerprints
• Nationwide Criminal Database Search (includes sex offender information and health care exclusion lists)
• Social Security alert
• Residency history
• Immunization/compliance tracking up to three years, up to 15 requirements and ADB review

There are several a la carte options available at different price points. Do not initiate the background check until you are advised to do so. If you execute a background check prematurely, you may have to repeat the process at your expense. Costs are subject to change at any time.

What form of payment is accepted for the FBI/BCI background check?

Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, debit, an electronic check and money orders.

When should I complete my FBI/BCI background check?

The BCI must be completed, reviewed and cleared before clinical participation. The results typically take seven to 10 business days to process. They are uploaded to your ADB/Complio account to maintain privacy. Each program will let you know when this process must be completed. Please do not order this service until you are instructed by the program to do so.

Who looks at my FBI/BCI report?

The College adheres to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) guidelines regarding how this private information is shared. Access to the documents is limited to the clinical sites that determine your eligibility for the clinical/practicum experience and the staff who manage the clinical compliance process as part of the Program Accreditation and Healthcare Initiatives Office.

How is my FBI/BCI report managed?

The results of the background check are sent directly to ADB/Complio's secure database for review as needed after the report is received from the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the FBI by the third-party administrator, ADB/Complio. If there is a discrepancy in the report, the information is shared securely with your assigned clinical site to determine if you can still participate.

This information is shared on a secured portal that allows the department to control access to the documents. It is not shared broadly with program staff at the College, and access is limited to the staff who work in the Clinical Compliance office, which is part of the Program Accreditation and Healthcare Initiatives office.

Will I ever have to repeat the FBI/BCI background check?

Although we make every attempt to only require the FBI/BCI background check once while you are a student in your respective Health Careers program, there may be instances where you will have to repeat the background check. These include but are not limited to:

• Readmission following a withdrawal or interruption in program progression
• Self-disclosure of an offense after the original background check has been completed
• Notification of an offense by a legal entity or clinical affiliate to the school after the original background check has been completed
• If required by the clinical site

How are barring offenses addressed? What are automatic bars?

Automatic bars are offenses that would automatically prevent you from obtaining certification/licensure and/or entering a clinical, practicum or internship facility. The automatic bars vary from program to program and facility to facility. You may review the guidelines used to evaluate background checks as designated by the Ohio Revised Code by following the individual program links.

What offenses potentially disqualify me from acquiring licensure, in the state of Ohio?

For a list of disqualifying offenses, visit Ohio's Official Online Publication of State Laws and Regulations web page.

Please note that these limitations may vary and many licensing boards have their own ethics committee that will decide on licensure on a case-by-case basis.

My FBI/BCI report was flagged. What does this mean?

A report may be flagged for one of several reasons: a court record may have been found, or the FBI may have reported information as the result of a fingerprint search. If this is your situation, please see the "How is my FBI/BCI report managed?" section.

What can I do if I disagree with the information reported on my flagged background report?

As a third-party consumer reporting agency, American DataBank reports information it has received from the FBI, which conducts the national search, and the Ohio Attorney General's Office, which conducts the state search. If you believe any of the reported information is inaccurate, you may dispute it by calling 800-200-0853.

Please note: While this is being disputed, there may be an adverse impact on your ability to progress in your clinical experience. This is at the discretion of the clinical site not the College.

What if I have completed all my prerequisite activities, but my FBI/BCI report has a discrepancy that may result in clinical participation limitations?

If an offense on your background check appears on the potentially disqualifying offenses list for the licensing agency you are pursuing, the compliance specialist may refer you to the College's legal department for further guidance on options for expungement or a Certification of Qualification for Employment (if applicable). Participation in and/or completion of a program at Tri-C in no way guarantees that you will receive licensure or be permitted to practice and/or obtain future employment.

Health Requirements/Immunizations

What are the health requirements for the program?

The health requirements for our programs vary depending on the specific program and its associated clinical placements. All health requirement standards are current and updated with the CDC Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals in addition to the highest level of requirements for program-specific clinical sites that house students for their clinical/practicum hours. Please note that these requirements are subject to change at any time. Please refer to Tri-C's School of Nursing and Health Professions Requirements Guide.

Are there vaccination accommodations for students?

Vaccine accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with both the program's requirements and clinical placement policies. While we generally require students to meet specific vaccination standards for health and safety reasons, we understand that there may be medical or religious grounds for seeking an exemption. If you are requesting an accommodation, you will need to provide appropriate documentation from a health care provider or other relevant authority. Please note that any accommodation must be approved in advance and may impact your eligibility for certain clinical placements.

Do I need health insurance?

Yes, health insurance is required to participate in our Health Careers programs. Given the nature of the clinical placements and hands-on training involved, you must have valid health insurance coverage throughout the program. This ensures that you are protected in the event of illness or injury during clinical activities. If you do not already have personal health insurance, you will need to secure coverage before beginning your program. You can visit the Health Careers and Nursing Health Requirement Resources to explore various options.

Which CPR certification do I need for the program?

Many programs may require CPR certification. The American Heart Association's Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals is the only certification accepted at this time. You can sign up for courses in the Tri-C Catalog.

Drug Screening

Cuyahoga Community College used the 13-panel drug screen for clinical compliance.

Will I need to complete a drug screen?

Some clinical sites may require students to complete a drug screen before attending clinicals at their facilities. You should not obtain a drug screen unless instructed by the program staff, and you should not complete one outside of the ADB system. If a drug screen is required, the program will reach out to you with instructions on how to add a drug screen to your existing ADB/Complio account.

How much does the drug screen cost?

The current cost of a drug screen is $39.95 within the ADB/Complio platform.

When will I need to repeat a drug screen?

You may find the need to repeat a drug screen for the following reasons:

• A negative dilute result
• A positive result
• A new clinical placement site requiring an updated drug screen due to the age of the current drug screen on file

Clinical Tracking or Onboarding Software Costs

Depending on your program, there may be a cost for the software used to track your clinical hours and house your evaluations:

Trajecsys: $150
HESI: $500 (Nursing Exit Exam)
HESI: $130 (Nursing Entrance Exam)
ACE-MAPP: $50 (OTAT, PTAT, Nursing)

What if I incur a new criminal charge after my background check is already complete?

Any new offenses that occurred during your course of studies or while on a break or leave must be disclosed to the Clinical Compliance office within 30 days of the conviction. To protect your privacy, do not report any new offenses to your program manager/director. Notify the Clinical Compliance office via the ADB/Complio messaging center or by calling the Compliance Hotline at 216-987-3475 to request a confidential consultation.

What type of information is collected by the programs, and how is my information used?

The program collects information that is only used to ensure we meet the accreditation agencies' standards and is only shared with these entities as necessary as part of site visits or other required reporting. When this information is shared, access is limited and honors your privacy and the applicable FERPA and HIPAA laws. If you ever have any concerns about how your information is shared or questions about procedures within a program, please contact the Program Accreditation Student Hotline at 216-987-3475.

What happens if I want to transfer to another program?

If you wish to transfer to a different program, you can transfer your health tracker account for a nominal fee. However, please be aware that your background check from the previous program will not automatically transfer with the health tracker. As a result, you may be required to submit a new background check. Be sure to check with the program coordinator for specific transfer procedures and any additional requirements.

What resources are available to me to assist with financial needs?

• Apply for Scholarships
• Cuyahoga Community College Foundation Scholarship Opportunities Handbook
• International Students Resources
• International Students Frequently Asked Questions

What if I plan to move out of Ohio?

Each state has its own set of licensure regulations. Please consult the Tri-C Student Consumer Information web page for information on your program and other regulations that you need to be aware of as a consumer.

How do I register for and complete my licensure/registry testing?

Be sure to check your licensing board's website for the cost of your license and the deadlines to register for the certification exam. There are often limited seats available during peak times, so planning is important.

Information on your program licensure agency should be found on your program website.