Instructions for State and National Criminal History Record Checks

1. Fingerprint packets, including the card and waiver form, may be picked up from and should be returned to:

Lynn McMorris, Licensure Analyst

Office of Teacher Education and Student Services

The University of Iowa

N310 Lindquist Center

Iowa City, IA 52242

(319) 335-5358, lynn-mcmorris@uiowa.edu

2. Complete ALL information as requested. An incomplete fingerprint card or waiver form will delay licensure processing. Follow the instructions on the sample form. Please print legibly.

3. The completed waiver form must accompany each fingerprint card. Be sure to sign and date the waiver form and answer questions 1 thru 4. For any "Yes" response, attach a written explanation on a separate 8½ x 11" sheet with your name and social security number. Note the additional information on the back of the waiver form.
   More Background Check Information.

4. Fingerprinting may be done by any police department. Fingerprinting must be performed by an authorized fingerprinter: In the Iowa City area, it is preferred that licensure applicants be fingerprinted by The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety, 323 S. Madison Street. Hours for fingerprinting at the Department of Public Safety are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

· Be sure to use a card imprinted in red with the following: "Board of Educational Examiners", "NCPA/VCA-Employment" and "BOEE".

· Be sure the complete the boxes labeled: Residence (Address); Name (Last, First, Middle); Date of Birth (Month, Day, Year); Citizenship (Country); Sex; Race; HGT. (Height); WGT. (Weight); Eyes (Color); Hair (Color); Place of Birth (City, State); and Social Security Number.

5. Have fingerprints rolled carefully and legibly in the appropriate boxes. The Iowa Department of Education has experienced high rates of rejection of fingerprint cards, up to 50%. The national average is 30%. Following is a list of common reasons for rejection of fingerprint impressions:

· Fingers are not fully inked or rolled. The entire first joint of each finger must be rolled from side to side.

· The position of the first joint of each finger is not squarely in the finger block.

· Some impressions are smudged: possibly fingers not clean and dry.

· Unable to see clear ridge detail.

· Fingerprints are not in sequence in spaces indicated.

· Hands are reversed.

· Ink was unevenly distributed.

· The same hand was printed twice.

· Insufficient or too much ink.

· Incomplete descriptor information.

If difficulty is anticipated in fingerprinting, it is possible to submit 2 fingerprint cards; no more than 2 cards may be submitted.

6. DO NOT FOLD, STAPLE, BEND, TAPE or MODIFY the FBI fingerprint card.

7. Criminal check fee is $42. This should be included with your licensure fee as ONE money order made out to "Board of Educational Examiners" (typically in the amount of $92, consisting of $42 for the criminal record check, and $50 for initial licensure).

8. If an applicant is recommended by The University of Iowa, and the DCI (Iowa background check) is cleared but the Iowa Department of Education has not received a cleared FBI report, then the applicant will receive a “Temporary Permit”. That permit will state the areas of endorsement and will reflect a raised Board of Educational Examiners seal. When the Board office receives a cleared FBI report, an Initial License will be sent to the person at the address on the application form. If an applicant is recommended by The University of Iowa, and both the DCI and FBI reports are cleared, then the applicant will receive an Initial License.

9. If an applicant is recommended by The University of Iowa, and there is a question or concern regarding either the DCI or the FBI report, the individual may be contacted by the Iowa Department of Education for further information. Each situation will be reviewed individually and acted upon accordingly.