FINGERPRINTING REQUIREMENTS

Fingerprint clearance is required for certificated employment; for temporary teaching certificates; and for first-time applicants for credentials, certificates, or permits.

bullet point CERTIFICATED EMPLOYMENT
California State Education Code prohibits the employment of a certificated employee, who has been convicted of a serious or violent felony. To ensure compliance with law, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and COE/school district/employers request employment background clearances (including criminal history information) about applicants for certificated employment from the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

Each background clearance is reviewed prior to issuance of a credential, permit, or certificate by the CCTC and render of service to the school district/employer.

bullet point APPLICANTS FOR TEMPORARY TEACHING CERTIFICATES
A person who meets the requirements for a teaching credential and has submitted an application packet for the credential through the County Office of Education may apply for a Temporary County Certificate. The Certificate enables the person to teach while the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) processes the application.

Education Code 44332 prohibits a county office to issue a temporary teaching certificate until a criminal history has been obtained and processed and DOJ verifies a clear record of serious/violent felony conviction. Therefore, a County Office of Education is required to obtain a criminal record summary about the applicant from the Department of Justice and shall not issue a temporary certificate in the applicant has been convicted of a violent or serious felony.

bullet point FIRST TIME APPLICANTS FOR CREDENTIALS, CERTIFICATES, OR PERMITS
First time applicants for a credential, certificate, or permit, in the State of California, are also required to submit fingerprint images to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) in addition to previously submitted fingerprints for school district employment and/or receipt of a Temporary County Certificate.

Fingerprinting for both CCTC credential applications and school employment is available through the SCCOE Fingerprint Live Scan Services Unit.

Each fingerprint clearance requires the applicant to obtain a Request for Live Scan Services form. The Credentials Services Unit provides credential applicants with the form for CCTC fingerprint clearance.

Certificated employment applicants who are also applying to the CCTC for the appropriate credential, permit, or certificate may be required to obtain two (2) Request for Live Scan Services (one for employment and one for the CCTC).

The Live Scan form for certificated employment will be provided by the hiring school district/employer, if the hiring school district/employer requires fingerprinting for employment.

Live Scan fingerprinting is provided by appointment only. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A FINGERPRINT APPOINTMENT or call (408) 453-4305 or (408) 453-6828.

 

Date last updated: May 1, 2007


Call (408) 453-4305 to schedule a fingerprint appointment. You can also make an appointment online.
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