Policy on Criminal Background Checks and Behavior that Might Impact on
Continued Status
at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) has a commitment to train
competent and caring physicians who behave in a professional and ethical manner.
Therefore, UPSOM has developed a policy regarding behavior that impacts on
professionalism of the candidates being considered and accepted for admission. Full and
prompt disclosure of all information about the applicant that may have bearing on the
ability to become a caring and compassionate professional is expected.
Training at UPSOM requires rotations through various hospitals and medical facilities
external to UPSOM, and such facilities may require a criminal background check, an Act
33/34/73 clearance, fingerprinting and in some institutions a drug screen to determine
whether the student is qualified to do a rotation or to be admitted at that facility.
Additionally, in order to become licensed, many states will inquire as to whether the
applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act
associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse.
Therefore, information is collected during the admissions process regarding unethical or
illegal behavior.
AMCAS application
The AMCAS application requires the applicant to indicate whether there has been any
institutional action regarding unprofessional behavior, and provide an explanation.
AMCAS performs Criminal Background Checks (CBC) on all AMCAS applicants who
indicate their application is to go to the UPSOM. CBC may be negative or positive for:
Dishonorable discharge from the military
Felony conviction
Misdemeanor
The secondary application
The secondary application contains a question asking each applicant to state whether he
or she has a felony conviction. This question appears in the secondary application as
below:
Medical Malpractice Act of 1985 (Act 112 of 1985)
Effective January 1, 1986
Section 22 provides that the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a
felony under the act of April 12, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64); known as the Controlled Substance,
Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction that, if
Approved by the Executive Committee of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine on 10/12/2010
committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under this act, unless certain qualifications
have been met. Additional information may be obtained from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
State Board of Medical Education and Licensure, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649.
Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Senate Resolution (House of Representatives Concurring) No. 84,
Session of 1985, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine requires all applicants for
admission to furnish the following information:
1. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No
2. Have you ever pled guilty to a felony charge? No
3. Have you ever admitted guilt to a felony charge? No
4. Do you have a record of prison service? No
5. If you have answered "yes" to any of the above questions, please explain in the space below.
At the time of submission of secondary application, each applicant will be asked to
indicate with a check mark that they agree to the below statement:
I certify that all of the information contained in this application is factually
correct, is honestly presented, and contains no significant omissions. If at a later
date, it becomes clear that this is not true, I agree that the University may revoke
any offer of admission it makes to me or dismiss me from the University.
Consideration for admission to UPSOM
Academic citations/infractions, institutional actions and positive CBC will be reviewed at
the time of decision regarding invitation to interview but will not automatically preclude
invitation to interview.
During interview with admissions personnel, further information will be gathered
regarding either positive CBC or academic misbehavior if this is deemed appropriate.
Additional information on outcomes of any adjudication may be requested in writing.
The UPSOM Admissions Committee, at the time of consideration of the candidate for
admission, will be made aware of institutional actions and positive CBC and all
information available concerning this matter. The UPSOM Admissions Committee
members then will rank the candidate taking into consideration all aspects of the
candidate’s application.
Withdrawal of admission offer
The admissions office must be informed promptly of any serious infraction including
academic or legal actions sustained between the period of secondary application
submission and matriculation. All accepted applicants are expected to notify the
UPSOM Admissions Office immediately if charged with a felony or misdemeanor in the
intervening period between acceptance and matriculation. Identification of inaccurate
Approved by the Executive Committee of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine on 10/12/2010
Approved by the Executive Committee of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine on 10/12/2010
information, misleading information, information reflecting poorly on the applicant’s
moral standards and/or omissions may also lead to reconsideration of the admissions
decision.
A subcommittee consisting of the Associate Dean of Admissions, Assistant Dean of
Admissions, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and a
student representative will decide on whether the admission should be rescinded. The
candidate will have the right to appeal to the decision of this committee. Such appeal
will be submitted to the Dean of the medical school who will make the final decision.
At matriculation
Any new information concerning felony, misdemeanors or unprofessional behavior
subsequent to the AMCAS application must be revealed at this time. If new information
concerning such activity comes to light, the admission may be revoked. This decision
will be made by the above designated sub-committee. At the time of matriculation each
matriculating student will be asked to sign the below statement.
I attest that since the time of my application to UPSOM no further information
has come to light which may influence the decision to admit me, including felony
charges or misdemeanors.
Matriculation to UPSOM does not preclude hospitals and facilities from applying
their own regulations toward students assigned to do rotations at such facilities.
The UPSOM does not have control over the policies of such hospitals and
medical facilities. Furthermore, I understand that a degree in medicine from
UPSOM does not ensure that I will be able to obtain a license to practice
medicine in any state where regulations might prohibit licensure
After matriculation
Any new information about felonies, misdemeanors, or use of illegal substances should
be reported to the Office of Student Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh as soon as
practical. This information would be reviewed by the Student Promotions Committee
which has the authority to dismiss a student for unprofessional behavior.