Background Checks

In which category do you fit?

Every new hire, whether licensed/certified or not, must have a background check that is not more than one year old.

If this is your initial License through the Ohio Department of Education, you must have a BCI and FBI background check which is not more than one year old.

If you are renewing your certificate through Ohio Department of Education, an FBI background check is only required every 5 years if you resided in Ohio for the entire time. A new BCI and FBI background check is required if you lived out of Ohio for any length of time during the past five years.

If you are maintaining a Permanent or Non-tax certificate through Ohio Department of Education, an FBI background check is only required every 5 years if you resided in Ohio for the entire time. A new BCI and FBI background check is required if you lived out of Ohio for any length of time during the past five years

Substitutes are required to have a BCI and FBI not more than 1 year old at the time of application. An FBI background check is only required every 5 years if you resided in Ohio for the entire time. A new BCI and FBI background check is required if you lived out of Ohio for any length of time during the past five years
 

Where should the report be sent?

Licensed positions should send the report to the Ohio Department of Education.
Non-licensed positions should send the report to the Safe Environment Program.
 

What if I’m moving from a job within Ohio where I’ve already been fingerprinted?

Neither Ohio Department of Education nor the Office of Catholic Schools will accept hard copies of a background check from an individual. Those who have completed a BCI check within the last 12 months may submit a Request to Release Form rather than being fingerprinted again. Submission of the form requires an $8 cashier’s check or money order payable to “Treasurer, State of Ohio”. Note: This does not apply to FBI, nor does it apply to background checks that were completed in another state.
 

How can I contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)?

The phone number for BCI is 740-845-2000 and the address is PO Box 365, London, Ohio 43140.
 

Where can I go to be fingerprinted?

Your local Educational Service Center is often the most economical site for fingerprinting. The cost for a BCI check alone is $27 and the cost for the FBI check alone is $24. The charge is $51 to have both done. Although checks are not accepted, the Educational Service Center does accept Visa, Master Card, debit cards, and cash. You might find FastFingerprints more convenient, however their pricing is higher. The cost for a BCI check alone is $40 and the cost for the FBI check alone is $50. The charge is $70 to have both done.