Process For Background Check

To ensure enough time for the results to be sent to ETSU College of Education, a background check must be completed at least FOUR WEEKS prior to:

• enrolling in a course requiring field experience, OR
  

• applying for admission to Teacher Education.

 Your Board Application WILL NOT be accepted if the background check information has not been received and clearance granted.  Background checks that are over a year old at the time of the board application deadline date will NOT be accepted.  Please note, effective Spring 2009, students must be cleared on the background check in order to register for a course that requires field experience.  See below for a partial list of courses requiring field experience.

You must follow the steps noted below or your background check WILL NOT be accepted.

1. Use the Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) Number TNCC90028 and Transaction Type DP when registering.
2. Register online at http://www.tennessee.cogentid.com or call 877-862-2425.  Once registered, you will receive a registration confirmation number.
3. The cost for the fingerprint background check is $48 and is the responsibility of the student applicant.  Prepay for your fingerprints at http://www.tnprints.com or by calling 1-800-964-7690.  You may also pay with a Money Order, made payable to Cogent Systems, the day of your fingerprinting.  Cash is NOT accepted.
4. Wait one day and go to an authorized fingerprint location. No appointment is necessary.  You must be registered and have prepaid or be prepared to pay by Money Order the day fingerprint services are offered.*
5. At the fingerprint service site, you will be required to provide valid State or Federal government issued identification.  For more information, go to http://www.tennessee.cogentid.com and select "What to Bring."
6. Fingerprints will be electronically sent to TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation), and the results will be provided to ETSU College of Education.

* For authorized fingerprint sites, go to http://www.tennessee.cogentid.com and select "Print Locations."  You MUST have your fingerprint services completed by an authorized place of service listed on the website or your background check WILL NOT be accepted.

Courses Requiring Field Experience

EDFN 2300 Foundations for Teaching

MEDA 5710 School Library Media Program Development and Management
MEDA 5720 Organization of Library Media
MEDA 5925 Practicum/Internship/Enhanced Student Teaching