Licensure
Ohio Department of Education begins implementation of H.B. 79 with mandatory background checks
To comply with Amended House Bill 79, effective March 29, 2007, the Ohio Department of Education will require applicants for any license or permit it issues to complete an Ohio criminal background check, conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII). The requirement includes applicants seeking to transition, renew or advance their licenses as well as applicants seeking new and renewal adult education and pupil activity permits. The BCII fingerprint results must be submitted to ODE electronically through WebCheck. (For information about WebCheck and a listing of locations across the state, visit http://www.webcheck.ag.state.oh.us.)
Any applicant who has not lived in Ohio continuously for the past five years also must complete a federal criminal background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Results of both state and federal background checks are valid for one year.
ODE will communicate background check requirements in H.B. 79 for individuals holding eight-year, non-tax and permanent certificates as guidelines and timelines are developed. For questions or more information, please contact the Office of Educator Licensure at (614) 466-3593.