October 28th, 2026
SEMARC Potential Match Return Guidance
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) partners, providers, and staff who are required to use the Search Engine for Multi-Agency Reportable Conduct (SEMARC) may receive a “Potential Match” return from a search query. A “Potential Match” indicates that one or more individuals have been found in a Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS), Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), Texas Education Agency (TEA), or HHSC registry that may match the search criteria.
In the information below from HHSC, they are referred to as “employers.”
“When employers receive “Potential Match” results in SEMARC, employers should complete the following actions:
1. Review the hiring candidate’s or employee’s form of identification:
a. Verify that information is entered correctly into system; and
b. Request the candidate or employee verify that the information is correct.
2. Compare the identifying information available with the match information provided by the agency.
a. Compare available identifiers with potential match return:
i. First Name
ii. Last name
iii. Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
iv. Last 4 digits of the SSN (if available)
v. Driver’s License state and number (if available)
b. Review “View Details” Section with candidate or employee:
i. Determination
ii. Reporting Agency
iii. Reportable Conduct Type
iv. Reportable Conduct Date
v. Final Determination Date
c. Obtain additional identifying information from the candidate or employee, if possible, and re-run the SEMARC search:
i. First Name
ii. Last Name
iii. DOB
iv. SSN
v. Recommended to obtain an overall better search:
1. Middle name
2. Alias name, such as a nickname, AKA, or maiden name
3. If the employer is unsure whether the candidate or employee is on the HHSC registry, the employer should check the EMR website: https://tulip.hhs.texas.gov/TULIP/s/login/. The employer should print out the search record to include in their records.
4. If the employer is still unsure whether the candidate or employee is on the returning agency registry, the employer may reach out to the agency returning the potential match result to request additional information.”
HHSC cannot provide additional information for DFPS, TEA, or TJJD search results. These agencies cannot provide any more information than what is available in SEMARC. However, if SEMARC users received a “Potential Match Return” for HHSC and completed the steps above HHSC may be able to provide additional information. Please send an email and questions to SEMARC-EMR@hhs.texas.gov.
