Annual Certification of Compliance with Do Not Hire Registry Required

Educational entities are now required to annually certify compliance with the Do Not Hire Registry (DNHR).

In a recent To the Administrator Addressed correspondence, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) reviews the requirements for school systems, in accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 22A, Subchapter D, to access the DNHR and to discharge, refuse to hire, terminate, or refuse to accept services from a person listed on the DNHR.

In addition, educational entities are now required to annually certify compliance with TEC § 22A.151 by completing the  2025-2026 Annual Do Not Hire Registry Certification and Statement of Compliance and submitting the form via the Annual DNHR Certification Link by Friday, April 10, 2026.

Districts and charter schools that fail to certify and return the form by the deadline may be subject to:  

• Inclusion in a permanent public notice that lists all districts and open-enrollment charter schools that have failed to certify compliance with the Do Not Hire Registry background check requirements;
• A special investigation as defined under TEC §§ 39.003 and 39.004; and
• An investigation of the superintendent or director who has violated TEC, § 11.201(d)(13), or 19 Texas Administrative Code § 249.15 by failing to complete the certification as required.

School entities should create a system to periodically check current employees against the DNHR and address any issues that may arise with current employees.