Field Service Office

Criminal Background Check Requirement

Before a teacher candidate can work in the public schools in extended practicums and clinical practice, a criminal background check must be completed.  The Utah State Board of Education policy requires teacher candidates to be cleared on fingerprints from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These agencies will search regional and national files for criminal convictions. In some cases, sealed records may be accessed to determine the teacher candidate's fitness for teaching.

Begining July 9, 2007 a new process will be implemented by the Utah State Office of Education for the Educator Background Checks (EBC). Their new web based application is designed to help facilitate the process of applying for and initiating the required background check process for both new and existing educators. To access EBC you (the educator) will need to go to: www.utah.gov/teachers to request live scan fingerprinting and pay your $69 fee online. Once you have answered all the questions, the system will generate the authorization letter and a receipt stating you have completed the process. You will need to take the authorization letter to any of the 17 live scan sites in the state of Utah and have your fingerprints scanned electronically. If you are attending SUU you can have your fingerprints scanned at the Public Safety office in the Sharwan Smith Center building ST 172. Please call or stop by their office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10am and 3pm to confirm someone will be there to assist in the scanning of your fingerprints.

The list of live scan sites in the state of Utah is found at: http://www.schools.utah.gov/cert/other/fingerprinting/LIVESCANSITESActive.pdf

You will only have a 60 day window to complete the live scan fingerprinting once the authorization letter has been generated. After that time you will be required to begin the process and pay the $69.00 fee all over again. Cleared fingerprints are only good for three years, after which time you will be required to submit another set of fingerprints if you have not completed program requirements to receive a teaching license within those three years.

If you have any questions please contact Sandy Ward (435) 586-1950.