Teaching applicants undergo strict background checks

All prospective teachers in Utah must have a fingerprint-based criminal background check, both through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and the FBI. Utah colleges and universities fingerprint students before they can become student teacher apprentices.

The process:

• Applicant goes to a police station or other designated location for fingerprinting. If clean, moved forward.

• If not, record forwarded to the Utah State Office of Education's professional practices office.

• Applicant and, if applicable, university the applicant is attending notified of "hits" on the background check. Applicant required to provide complete documents, such as a court docket and police reports, and a letter explaining the charges or outcome.

• If the candidate refuses, licensing stops there.

• Those who submit documentation: Documents examined by the professional practices office for approval or denial. Expunged records also may be examined.

Hiring

• Most school districts conduct an additional background check.

• Applicants also must state in writing whether they have been arrested, denied a license or had their teaching license investigated

Source: Carol Lear, director of school law and legislation, Utah State Office of Education