School of Education

As schools continue to review their policies for criminal history checks, students in field experiences and student teaching will be required, at minimum, to provide a criminal history check to their placement school that is updated annually. For student teaching, please check with your placement school to verify their requirements. Certified Background is a service being provided to students to allow them to purchase the required background checks for MCCSC (nationwide and multiple county level) and other placement school corporations. The results are posted to a secure site by Certified Background that can be accessed by students and the organization.  If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.  If you have a criminal history you will need to submit a letter to your placement school requesting that the schools still consider you for placement.  Some schools will not allow anyone with a criminal offense or arrest (other than a traffic ticket) to work in their school buildings and some will require additional criminal background checks.  We will do our best to assist you, however, we cannot be responsible for disruptions in your program due to the decisions of schools regarding your placement.

How to obtain the required nationwide sex and violent offender check and multi-county criminal check for student teaching or field experience:

1. Go to www.CertifiedBackground.com
2. In the Package Code box, enter package code: NI57 or NI57R if this is an annual recheck
3. Select a method of payment: Visa, MasterCard or money order. (The check will cost $30.00 and a re-check is $25)

Once your order is submitted, you need to return to the site in 3 to 5 days to view and print the results of your background check. Print the results and deliver them to your placement site on your first visit unless you have a criminal history.  If you do not receive a confirmation email or have any issues with your order, please contact Certified Background at 888-914-7279 or via email studentservices@certifiedprofile.com. If you have a record contact our office to discuss how to deal with your placement request and delivering the results along with a letter of explanation 812-856-8502 or fieldexp@indiana.edu.

For those of you who completed a criminal history check for last semester--you can return to the site and use your password to print a new copy for the next semester--since you can use a check that has been run within the past year for your field experience.
Criminal History Check procedures continue to evolve for the state and school systems. You should expect to be required to purchase criminal history checks for employment and throughout your teaching career. Criminal records may have an adverse effect on your ability to obtain employment and the state will hold a hearing to permanently revoke the license of individuals who have specific convictions--see Indiana Code 20-28-5-8.