Educator Certification

Effective August 28, 2003

Fee Increases for Background and Fingerprint Checks

 Beginning in August, due to new or increased fees for services through the Highway Patrol and the FBI, the Department must collect fees from applicants and/or school districts and forward the proper amounts to the Highway Patrol on a monthly basis:

• The fee for fingerprint checks submitted to the FBI will be $38.    The previous fee was $22.  An FBI fingerprint check is mandatory for the following persons:

1.      All applicants for initial certification.

2.      Any teacher who holds a certificate from another state who is seeking an initial Missouri certificate.

3.      Candidates who graduated from non-Missouri colleges who are seeking an initial Missouri certificate.

4.      All candidates for the Temporary Authorization Certificate.

The individual requesting the certificate attaches a money order made payable to Treasurer, State of Missouri, with the application.

• The fee for an “open records” check will be $5 per individual.  The previous fee was zero.  An open-records check is conducted by the Missouri Highway Patrol; it reviews open criminal records only within the State of Missouri.  An open-records background check is mandatory for:

1.      Every applicant for a substitute teaching certificate.  Applications for substitute certificates must be submitted by school districts on behalf of the candidates. 

2.      School districts may request an open records background check for any job applicant or for any current employee.

Districts must submit names and basic key information on the appropriate form to the Department to obtain this background check.  The $5 fee will apply to EACH name submitted.  The district must submit a check, for the total number of applicants, made payable to Treasurer, State of Missouri, and sent to the Educator Certification Section, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

This change will take effect on all applications received on and after August 28, 2003.