FAQs for Social Work Compliance

Compliance requirements may include, but are not limited to, a background check, drug testing, submission of immunization records, TB testing, CPR certification, and other requirements.

These are requirements that the practicum placement agency requires you to complete before you may begin your placement. Compliance requirements vary by practicum placement site and students should NOT begin completing these requirements until instructed to do so by the Practicum Office. Some items may be completed and verified through UNC Charlotte and others may be completed and verified directly with the agency.

It is your (the student’s) responsibility to cover the cost of all compliance items required by the Affiliation Agreement. Time spent completing compliance requirements does not count towards practicum orientation or hours. 

You will receive an email from the Practicum Office that outlines the requirements you need to complete for verification by UNC Charlotte. Please review this email carefully for details on exactly which items to complete and for instructions on how to submit compliance documentation.

Practicum placement agency sites may have additional requirements that you will need to complete. If your placement agency requires you to complete additional items through their own process and vendors, they should communicate with you directly about this information.

Do not begin working on any compliance requirements until you receive an email from the Practicum Office with instructions. Starting the requirements early may result in needing to redo some requirements, as some compliance requirements are only valid for a certain amount of time. This email will also include a due date for compliance submission. It is very important to meet the deadline outlined in the email, as a late submission will jeopardize your placement.

Processing these documents takes several weeks. You will NOT be allowed to begin practicum until your compliance is cleared, missing your deadline may delay the start of your practicum placement. Delays in starting your practicum placement may impact your grade for the fall practicum course. Please contact the Practicum Office if additional time is needed.

Once you submit your compliance requirements, they will be reviewed by the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist, who is a staff member in the Dean’s Office. Processing these documents takes several weeks. After being reviewed, the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist will notify the Practicum Office that you have received compliance clearance and the Practicum Office will then notify you. The Practicum Office does not have access to view your compliance submissions or verify your submission. You will NOT be allowed to begin practicum until your compliance is cleared.

Most likely, you will still need to complete the compliance requirement sent by the Practicum Office, however, you may contact the Practicum Office to verify the compliance requirements.

BSW students should contact bsw-practicum@charlotte.edu and MSW students should contact msw-practicum@charlotte.edu.

In most cases, students in employment-based placements will not have to submit compliance requirements. There are a few exceptions, as some agencies will still require UNC Charlotte to verify that you have met the intern/compliance requirements of the agency, even though you are already an employee.

Yes, however, if you are returning to the same placement you may be able to resubmit some of the same materials, such as immunization records and the criminal background check results. Some compliance requirements, including but not limited to the TB test, the flu vaccine, and drug screening, must be updated annually when required.

Students should reach out to the Practicum Office regarding any concerns about compliance requirements. Additionally, students may be referred to discuss concerns with the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist, depending on the question or concern.

BSW students should contact bsw-practicum@charlotte.edu and MSW students should contact msw-practicum@charlotte.edu.

Possibly. Some agencies require copies of immunization records, background check results, etc. The Practicum Office is not allowed to release any records, so students will need to submit these documents themselves if requested by the agency.

Additionally, some agencies may utilize their own process/vendor for requirements such as a background check. If your placement agency requires you to complete additional items through their own process and vendors, they should communicate with you directly about this information.

The exact immunization requirements will vary by agency, however, you may be required to complete/provide documentation of some or all of the following immunizations:

• 3DPT/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) – series of three
• Tetanus – within the last 10 years
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – series of two
• Hepatitis B – series of three
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) – series of two
• Influenza (Flu) – annually, if required
• COVID-19 – one dose of J&J or two doses of Pfizer/Moderna
• COVID-19 Booster

Rarely, there may be additional immunizations required by the agency. 

If you do not have access to your records through your doctor’s office, you may consider reaching out to the health department in your hometown. Additionally, MSW students might consider reaching out to Student Health Services at their undergraduate institution to see if they have a copy of your immunization records. 

If you are not able to access to access your immunization records, you should request a titer test from your doctor. Only some immunization requirements have titer tests available.

A titer test is a blood test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in the blood. Essentially, these can be used to prove immunity to a disease. You should only obtain titer tests if you do not have access to your immunization records, or for varicella, if you are unvaccinated due to contracting varicella (chickenpox) in the past. 

You may be able to decline the Hepatitis B vaccination by requesting a waiver from chhs-compliance@charlotte.edu. For declination of other immunizations a special request must be made. The CHHS Student Compliance Specialist and/or Practicum Office will need to discuss this with the placement agency and it may or may not be allowed. Please reach out to the Practicum Office if you wish to decline any immunizations (other than Hepatitis B) for further discussion about the next steps.

BSW students should contact bsw-practicum@charlotte.edu and MSW students should contact msw-practicum@charlotte.edu.

No, you will need all of your doses. If you are unable to have all your doses by the practicum compliance deadline please contact the Practicum Office (BSW students should contact bsw-practicum@charlotte.edu and MSW students should contact msw-practicum@charlotte.edu) and the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist at chhs-compliance@charlotte.edu.​

No, you can just begin the next dose needed to complete the series.

Yes, if your second placement requires immunization records, you will have to resubmit them.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that affects the lungs. There are two types of tests for TB: the TB skin test and the TB blood test.

• The TB skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin on the lower part of the arm. After this, the patient must return within 48 to 72 hours to get the results. For a two-step test, the test is administered twice within one month.
• TB blood tests (specifically the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus) are also called interferon-gamma release assays or IGRAs. A health care provider will draw a patient’s blood and send it to a laboratory for analysis and results. The TB blood test (QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus) can meet the requirements for the one-step TB test and the two-step TB test.

A negative result means that latent TB infection or TB disease is not likely. A positive TB test means the person has been infected with TB bacteria and requires a chest x-ray and TB symptom check.

No, students cannot decline TB testing if it is required by the placement agency. Students who are not able to complete the TB skin test due to medical, religious, or personal reasons will be required to obtain the TB blood test (QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus).

Contact the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist at chhs-compliance@charlotte.edu for next steps.

SSN validation, Sex Offender Registry, State Criminal and Other Offenses, Federal Criminal and Other Offenses, OIG/GSA Excluded Parties, and International, if applicable.

Only the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist has access to your criminal background check results. The only information shared with the Practicum Office is whether you have submitted all compliance requirements and whether you have received compliance clearance or not. If your background check comes back with something on your record, see the next question to know how it will be shared.

If there is something on your criminal background check then the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist may notify the Practicum Office. Additionally, the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist will contact the potential agency to see if the results will affect the student’s placement at that agency. 

If the criminal background check was completed through UNC Charlotte’s partnership with Certiphi, you can use the same results but you must resubmit the results.

If you have “criminal background check” highlighted on your compliance form, you MUST complete your background check through UNC Charlotte’s partnership Certiphi unless otherwise noted. 

Once available, you can view and download your background check results in Certiphi/Application Station by accessing them through the link in the initial email sent from Certiphi/Application Station.

No, the Practicum Office is not allowed to release your records. If requested, you should submit a copy to the agency directly.

If you are required to complete a drug screening, it will most likely be a 12-Panel Drug Screening. A 12-panel screening includes the following drugs:

• AMP – Amphetamines
• BAR – Barbiturates
• BZO – Benzodiazepines
• COC – Cocaine
• MAMP – Methamphetamines
• MDMA – Ecstasy
• MTD – Methadone
• OPI – Opiates
• OXY – Oxycodone
• PCP – Phencyclidine
• PPX – Propoxyphene
• THC – Marijuana

All drug screenings must be completed using Certiphi, which is UNC Charlotte’s vendor partner. You will receive an email with instructions and will be able to choose a screening site from the list of options provided by Certiphi.

No, if an agency requires a drug screening, it must be completed annually. 

If you believe you may test positive due to a medication prescribed by a medical professional, you should include prescription information in the supporting documents upload section of Certiphi and upload a copy of the prescription information to Dropbox when submitting the rest of your compliance requirements. 

Once available, you can view and download drug screening results in Certiphi/Application Station by accessing them through the link in the initial email sent from Certiphi/Application Station.

No, the Practicum Office is not allowed to release your records. If requested, you should submit a copy to the agency directly.

The bloodborne pathogens training and test can be completed via Canvas. To obtain access to the Canvas course, visit the CHHS Bloodborne Pathogen Training site and click the link for “Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, APHCS” students.  Once you click on the link, log in and enroll in the course when asked.

Social Work students must score a 13 or higher to pass the test.

Submit a screenshot or clear photo of your results, including your name, score, and date. Only one page is needed.

Contact the CHHS Student Compliance Specialist at chhs-compliance@charlotte.edu. 

No, if BBP training is highlighted on your Agency Requirements Form, the BBP test has to be taken online through the UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services.

There are several options for students to access this training. For students already in the Charlotte, NC area, the School of Social Work recommends completing CPR certification through the Student Health Center. The Student Health Center offers certification through the American Heart Association and through the American Red Cross. For more information and registration, visit the Student Health Center Classes page.

Additionally, Innovative Solutions is a Charlotte-based organization that is an American Heart Association Training Center. 

If you are not located in Charlotte or are unable to attend training offered through the Student Health Center or Innovative Solutions, visit the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association for classes in your area. 

The CPR requirement is based on what your particular site requires – some are more lenient than others. Usually, an in-person component is required, but some agencies may allow a fully online course. You should inquire with your placement agency to determine what is allowed.

Only a few agencies require First Aid/BLSW certification. Like all other compliance requirements, please review your compliance email for exact instructions on which items you are required to complete. If it is required, you should inquire with your placement agency to determine what is allowed.

As long as your certification meets the agency requirements and will not expire before the end of your practicum placement, you may submit proof of your current certification. 

Most likely, you will likely still need to complete the CPR and/or First Aid certification. Compliance requirements are set by the agency, and they may have been determined by someone other than your Practicum Instructor or Task Supervisor, such as HR, a business office, or an internship program manager. If there is a discrepancy or you have questions, please contact the Practicum Office to confirm your compliance requirements.

BSW students should contact bsw-practicum@charlotte.edu and MSW students should contact msw-practicum@charlotte.edu.

No, UNC Charlotte has secured insurance and this is covered by student fees. This insurance only covers students in your SOWK Practicum coursework.

myClinicalExchange (mCE) is an online database used by Novant Health and CaroMont to track compliance items. Only students completing placement at Novant Health or CaroMont for placement are required to register with myClinical Exchange (mCE). You will be contacted via email with additional information regarding accessing mCE.

Please visit the Guest Access Portal & Instructions for details on how to set up FERPA Guest Access.

You should provide the information for your practicum instructor or task supervisor (person supervising you at your placement). You can also let them know that they may receive an email about this, but that no action from them is needed. You only need to provide access to the “Student Profile” section. You do not need to provide access to tax information, transcripts, financial aid, or other information.