Background Check Information

Educator Preparation Background Check Requirements

All graduate and undergraduate students who participate in a field experience, internship, practicum, and/or Residency placement are required to complete a Background Check Package, which consists of fingerprinting and required paperwork. This Background Check Package will be housed in the Office of Educator Preparation and on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. 

An initial Background Check Package must be completed in EDFN 2400 OR upon entering an education program in Clemmer College of Education and Human Development. The required Background Check Package must be turned in to the Office of Educator Preparation, Warf-Pickel 305. Failure to comply with background check requirements could result in delay of placement.

Background Checks Packages are good for one calendar year. If students have completed a Background Check Package, an Affirmation of Background Check may be completed to extend the duration of the background check for the next year. An Affirmation of Background Check is a document that affirms the status of the background check from when it was originally completed. Please stop and email the Office of Educator Preparation at edprep@etsu.edu or call 423-439-7597. A new Background Check Package is required prior to beginning a residency or internship.

Required Background Check Package (fingerprinting + 3 forms)

If you have NOT completed a Background Check Package with the Office of Educator Preparation OR need to complete a new Background Check Package prior to beginning a residency or internship, please follow the steps below.   

• Step 1: Fingerprinting

  Fingerprinting Directions: Follow the steps outlined below to complete the fingerprinting process.

  1. Using your web browser, go to https://tn.state.identogo.com/workflow/28TY72 and click "Schedule a new Appointment."
  2. Enter Service Code 28TY72 (if applicable). Click Continue with Child-Related Worker Volunteer (Private) service code.
  3. Enter ORI number TNCC90028 and select go. Then click yes to confirm that East Tennessee State University is correct.
  4. You will have to read an acknowledgment/ release form. Check I agree and select go.
  5. Enter a zip code to determine the closest fingerprinting location.
  6. Click on the word "Schedule" across from the location you want, under the day you wish to be fingerprinted. If you want a date further in the future, select the Next Week>> link to display more dates.
  7. Once you select the location/date combination, select the time for your appointment and select "Go."
  8. Complete the demographic information page. Required fields are indicated by a red asterisk (*). When complete, select "Submit" Information.
  9. Confirm the information. Follow the on screen directions to make any necessary changes. Once you see the data is correct, select "Go."
  10. If you are required to pay for your own fingerprinting, then you will be presented with payment options. Complete your payment process and select "Go."
  11. Print your confirmation page.
  12. Bring approved identification documents with you to the appointment. These approved document options are identified on your confirmation page of your appointment.
  13. Arrive at the facility at your appointed date and time.
  14. The Enrollment Officer at the site will check your ID, verify your information, verify or collect payment, capture your fingerprints, and submit your data. 
•  Step 2: Documentation - 3 Forms

  After Completing Fingerprinting:

  1. Print out and complete all 3 authorization forms linked below. (Must have actual signature-no electronic signatures will be accepted.)

  • VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement Form - Authorizes Clemmer College of Education and Human Development access to fingerprinting results from anyone requiring a background check through the college.
  • Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights Form - Prevents Clemmer College of Education and Human Development from releasing background check history and/or information to any outside agencies.
  • ETSU Authorization for Background Check Entry Form - Enforces background check guidelines from Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

  2.  Email the 3 forms to the Office of Educator Preparation at edprep@etsu.edu

  • You may also place these forms in a sealed envelope to drop off the Office Educator Preparation located in Warf Pickel Hall, Room 305 or mail them to: 

  East Tennessee State University 

  Office of Educator Preparation

  PO Box 70685

  Johnson City, TN 37614

  If you are completing a Background Check Package for a course with a field experience placement (excluding residency), you will need to return to the Field Experience Placement webpage to complete Steps 3 and 4 of the Field Experience Placement Guidelines.

• Background Check Policy

  Clemmer College of Education and Human Development guarantees the privacy of the background check information.  Background information cannot be shared.  Upon graduation, copies of background checks will be disposed of as dictated by University policy.

  IdentoGO by MorphoTrust is the exclusive live scan fingerprinting provider for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and is a certified FBI Channeling Agent.

  All undergraduate and graduate students who participate in an internship or residency placement are required to complete a new Background Check Package, which consists of fingerprinting and required documentation. This Background Check Package will be housed in the Office of Educator Preparation (OEP) and on file with Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI). An Affirmation of Background Check will not be accepted. 

   

  Purpose

  
  Tennessee Code Annotated §49-5-5610 requires that any student wishing to enter an approved teacher education program must undergo a criminal history check and fingerprinting by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The law also requires the student to sign an authorization and release form authorizing a qualified Tennessee Licensed private investigation company to complete a criminal history records check.

  
  The State of Tennessee has enacted several statutes that require background checks. The Clemmer College of Education and Human Development will conduct background checks in compliance with state law; to demonstrate our commitment to protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and, thereby, help maintain our access to research, field, practicum, internship, and residency sites with children.

  
  Persons Affected

  All graduate and undergraduate students seeking an initial teaching license are required to be fingerprinted, complete required documentation and have a criminal records check.

  All graduate and undergraduate students seeking licensure in Counseling and Human Services are required to be fingerprinted and complete background check documentation as well.

  Non-education majors enrolled in classes, such as EDFN 2400, that visit schools or agencies where children are present are required to undergo fingerprinting, complete all required documentation, and have criminal records checked before they can participate. Instructors of these classes should alert their students at the beginning of each semester and should include a notice in the course syllabus.

  Class visits to schools should be delayed to allow time for completion of the criminal records check for all students enrolled in the course.

  For Residency Candidates, the background check required documentation should be printed and delivered to the Office of Field Experiences and Residency, Room 305, Warf Pickel after the residency application has been submitted during the months of May and June prior to beginning the Residency year.

  A background check will be completed in EDFN 2400 OR upon entering an education program. An Affirmation of Background Check form may be submitted each year after an initial background check and required documentation have been completed.  An additional background check must be completed prior to beginning residency, internship, or practicum. Any student arrested AFTER submitting a background check must notify the Office of Educator Preparation within 5 days or prior to entering a school setting. Failure to do so could result in dismissal from the program.

  Background Clearance Committee

  All background checks are received and reviewed by the Director of Field Experiences and Residency (Room 305).  Should findings be reported by TBI, the Background Clearance Committee will review findings on a case by case basis and determine whether or not clearance will be granted.

  Residency Candidates who have an offense which would preclude them from obtaining a license from the Tennessee Department of Education will be contacted immediately by the Director of Field Experiences and  Residency and be asked to meet with the Background Clearance Committee. Decisions made by the Background Clearance Committee are final. Clearance can be denied for the following reasons (but not limited to):
   

  Assault
  Sexual misconduct with a minor
  Repeated moving vehicle violations
  Theft
  Felony conviction
  Protective orders
  Domestic violence
  Drug trafficking
  Other illegal conduct unbecoming to a teacher
   

  In the event that a student is excluded from participating in the clinical experience or entry into a program as a result of the background check, the Background Clearance Committee will provide in writing to the student an initial determination, which will include the basis upon which the determination was made, and allow the student the opportunity to review and provide comment on any information contained in the background check. The notification of the initial determination will include a copy of the document “A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act,” which can be found at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf