Essential 3 (E3)

Teacher with group of children at zooAdult Requirements

All clergy and parish, school and archdiocesan employees, as well as all volunteers who have either regular or unsupervised interaction with minors, must complete the Essential 3 (E3) requirements:

  • Background Check
  • Code of Conduct
  • Safe Environment Training

To ensure completion of the requirements before working or volunteering, or to confirm your status, contact the Safe Environment Coordinator at your parish or Catholic school.

Further Explanation of the Essential 3 (E3) for new employees and volunteers:

  • Background Check – The background check is run by an archdiocese-approved agency and provides a criminal history. This is an important step to screen out individuals who might present a danger to children and youth.
  • Code of Conduct – A person must acknowledge that he or she understands and agrees to the principles and standards outlined in the code of conduct appropriate to his or her employment or ministry. A Code of Conduct training video by Tim O’Malley, Director of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment (below) is available for public reference.
  • Safe Environment TrainingVIRTUS Online Protecting God’s Children and Saint Paul-Minneapolis Reporting Suspected Child Abuse is a 75-minute online awareness training that provides information on the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Specific training is included on how to report suspected abuse in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

E3 Re-credentialing is required every three years, and consists of:

  • Background Check – Submitting to a re-check
  • Code of Conduct – Signing a new copy
  • Safe Environment Training – Completing a re-training module, including specific training on how to report suspected abuse in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

For information regarding requirements for adults who volunteer with vulnerable adults, please see Protecting Vulnerable Adults.