Board of Educational Examiners

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Background Checks

		Question: When did background checks begin?
			Answer: October 1, 2000
		Question: Why did the Board find it necessary to require background checks?
			Answer: Iowa was one of only five states remaining that did not conduct background checks. The Board received phone calls from prospective applicants inquiring if Iowa conducted background checks.
		Question: Who will be required to have background checks?
			Answer: All initial applicants; teachers, coaches, administrators, paraeducators, anyone from out-of-state, substitutes, and behind-the-wheel authorizations
		Question: Will the background checks be completed on the current staff?
			Answer: No, only those persons who have never held an Iowa teaching license, coaching authorization, paraeducator certificate, or behind-the-wheel authorization
		Question: What exactly is a background check?
			Answer: A person signs a waiver allowing the Iowa State Division of Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations to conduct a background check. An FBI fingerprint card is also submitted and sent to the FBI lab. The results of both the state and national criminal background checks are sent to the Board of Educational Examiners for review.
		Question: If someone had an Iowa license, let it expire, and then decided to re-activate or renew the license, will a background check be required?
			Answer: No. At this time, background checks are conducted on new Iowa applicants only.
		Question: How much does it cost?
			Answer: The total cost is $52 (as of August 1, 2005). These fees are in addition to the regular license and evaluation fees.
		Question: Will the Iowa background check include the Iowa sex offender registry?
			Answer: Yes.
		Question: Will the Iowa background check include the Iowa child abuse registry?
			Answer: Yes
		Question: Can the information found on either the DCI or the FBI be shared with a local school district?
			Answer: No. The State of Iowa law prohibits the Board, or any authorized agency, to share this information with a third party.
		Question: Should local school districts conduct their own background checks?
			Answer: Yes. The Board of Educational Examiners conducts background checks for licensure only. Federal law allows school districts to conduct background checks, for example, for hiring purposes.
		Question: Is it true that the results from the FBI fingerprints may take four to eight weeks?
			Answer: Yes. In some instances, it may take longer.
		Question: How will that affect the licensure application?
			Answer: The DCI check is completed within a few days. However, the FBI results take longer. The Board has created and implemented a document called a "Temporary Permit". This one-page document allows a person to seek employment, interview, sign a contract, accept a position, and begin teaching or adminstering. The "Temporary Permit" will list the endorsements earned and expiration date. This permit will be good for 90 days. Upon successful review of the FBI results, the applicant will be issued a license/authorization/certificate.
		Question: In what circumstances would a second Temporary Permit be issued by the Board?
			Answer: It would be very unusual for the Board to issue a second Temporary Permit. However, a second Temporary Permit may be issued if 1) the FBI results take longer than 90 days, 2) the FBI cannot read the fingerprints and request a second set of fingerprint cards, 3) a person's fingerprints are essentially unreadable by the FBI and other measures may be implemented, or 4) other extenuating circumstances that need to be considered.
		Question: When will the license be issued?
			Answer: When all information has been processed except for the FBI background check, the Board will issue at Temporary Permit, which is good for 90 days. This Temporary Permit has the same authorization as a license. A person can present this Temporary Permit to a school district for employment or it can be used to verify Iowa licensure. When the Board receives clearance from the FBI of an individual's national criminal history, a regular license will automatically be issued to the individual.
		Question: Who reviews the criminal history records?
			Answer: The Board's investigator, Executive Director, and the Board's legal counsel, who is an Assistant Attorney General, review them.
		Question: What is the process for reviewing an applicant's criminal conviction history?
			Answer: The Board looks for felonies, misdemeanors, and founded child abuse reports. As required in Iowa Code 272.2.14, the Board must consider the following: 1) the nature and seriousness of the founded abuse or crime in relation to the position sought, 2) the time elapsed since the founded abuse or crime was committed, 3) the degree of rehabilitation which has taken place since the incidence of founded abuse or commission of the crime, 4) the likelihood that the person will commit the same abuse or crime again, and 5) the number of founded abuses committed or criminal convictions by the person involved.
		Question: Does an individual need to divulge criminal activity if it occurred when he/she was a minor?
			Answer: It depends. If a minor is accused of criminal conduct and found guilty by a juvenile courth, the finding is referred to as an "adjudication" rather than a "conviction". Technically, a juvenile adjudication is outside the Board's inquiry. In some circumstances, jurisdiction is transferred by the juvenile court and minors are charged and convicted as adults. In those cases, a "conviction" occurs, which must be disclosed. Whether an individual needs to divulge criminal activity when he/she was a minor depends upon whether the matter was considered by the juvenile or adult system. If juvenile court adjudication - no, if conviction in district court - yes.
		Question: Does the Board review the answers to the criminal history questions provided by the applicant for possible fraud?
			Answer: Yes. The Board examines the application to determine if the person answered the questions truthfully. If the applicant checked "yes" to any of the questions, the Board reviews the information provided by the applicant against the actual criminal history record. If the applicant checked "no" to any of the questions but was found to have a conviction, the application may be considered fraudulent.
		Question: Why would an applicant be denied a license, an authorization, or a certificate?
			Answer: - The applicant failed to tell the truth - The applicant's criminal history was serious enough to warrant a denial - The applicant failed to provide the Board with additional information required by the Board - The applicant provided a fraudulent license, transcript, or other official document - The applicant's license, certification, or authorization from another state is suspended or revoked
		Question: Is there an appeal process if the application is denied?
			Answer: Yes. Iowa Code 272.7 states that the Executive Director may grant or deny license applications. The decision may be appealed by the practitioner to the Board.