PURPOSE: This rule outlines the procedure for a potential candidate for Missouri certificate of license to teach with a criminal history to petition the State Board of Education for background clearance.

1. (1) Potential candidates for a Missouri certificate of license to teach who are currently enrolled in professional education courses in conjunction with state-approved teacher preparation programs may petition the State Board of Education for clearance of their background, enabling possible issuance of a Missouri certificate of license to teach upon completion of their teacher preparation programs and pursuant to the rules promulgated by the board.

2. (2) A potential candidate may apply to petition the State Board of Education for background clearance by completing and submitting the background check form. The form is provided by the State Board of Education and may be obtained by writing the Professional Conduct and Investigations Section of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or the form may be downloaded from the Internet. The form contains the following:

   1. (A) Applicant’s full name, date of birth and Social Security number;
   2. (B) Applicant’s residential address;

   3. (C) Details regarding teaching certificates or similar titles and/or other professional licenses or similar titles held, including but not limited to disciplinary actions, denials, restrictions, revocations, voluntary surren- 5 CSR 80-800

      168.071, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 1978, 1984, 1988,

ders, suspensions, reprimands and/or investi- 1993, 1998; 168.081, RSMo 1963, amended 1984. gations;

1. (D) Details regarding being found guilty, plea of guilty, receipt of a suspended imposition of sentence or entering a plea of nolo contendere for any violation of any laws of a state or the United States, other than a traffic violation; and
2. (E) Details regarding any pending complaints and/or investigations before any regulatory board or agency.

1. (3) A potential candidate wishing to petition the State Board of Education shall request and obtain documentation of current enrollment in a professional education course in conjunction with a state-approved teacher preparation program from the designated official of the institution.
2. (4) A potential candidate wishing to petition the State Board of Education for background clearance shall request that each state or United States territory regulatory entity in which a teaching certificate or similar title(s) and/or other professional license or similar title(s) is held or has ever been held submit verification of certification or licensure directly to the department. The verification shall include the certification or license issued, the number, status, issue and expiration dates, information regarding any disciplinary action, method of certification or licensure, the name and title of person verifying information with the date and seal.

3. (5) The background check form is not considered officially filed with the board until it has been determined by the board or department staff to be complete and the application is submitted on the forms provided by the board, signed and accompanied by two (2) full sets of fingerprints on cards provided by the board with the appropriate fees as set by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and any other applicable documentation.

   1. (A) For the purpose of this rule, the fingerprint cards shall be completed by any law enforcement agency and sent directly to the department from the law enforcement agency.
   2. (B) The applicant is responsible for the payment of any fees required by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and/or FBI.

AUTHORITY: sections 161.092, 168.011 and 168.081, RSMo 1994 and 168.021 and 168.071, RSMo Supp. 1999.* Original rule filed Jan. 19, 2000, effective Aug. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973; 168.011, RSMo 1963, amended 1984; 168.021, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1998;