Resources for Background Checks and Fingerprinting

Before being admitted to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Educator Preparation Program, all prospective students and/or currently enrolled students are required to undergo a comprehensive criminal background check and fingerprinting procedure conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) at least four weeks before the application deadline.

This process entails both fingerprinting and the completion of necessary documentation. An explanation of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) Background Policy can be found by clicking here.

The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Office of Professional Licensure (OPL) is available to support students throughout the entirety of this process. CEHHS provides for the privacy of background check information.

Background information is generally not shared outside of OPL unless the prospective student provides OPL permission to disclose information or in situations where OPL receives a subpoena, court order, or as otherwise required by law.

Fingerprinting & Background Check Guidelines for Applicants: In-State and Out-Of-State

Fingerprint Instructions In-State – Tennessee

Fingerprint Instructions Out of State

Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 49-5-5610 requires all students who wish to be admitted to teacher preparation programs to:

1. Sign an authorization and release form authorizing a qualified Tennessee-licensed private investigation company by and on behalf of the board to complete a criminal history records check, and;
2. Agree to the release of all investigative records to the administrator of the selected teacher training program, and;
3. Supply a fingerprint sample and submit it to a criminal history records check to be conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Please complete these steps exactly as they are below. Not following this order can cause a delay in processing your application. 

• Complete the Background Check Authorization Form. 
• Complete and upload your signed VECHS Form – this is included in the Background Authorization Form. If you need assistance signing a PDF form using Adobe Reader, please use the Adobe Help Link. 
• Complete the Fingerprint Process. Instructions for this will be emailed to you when you have completed the above steps. 

Please note there is a cost associated with completing your background check. The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and the Office of Professional Licensure does not offer vouchers or cost waivers for fingerprinting. 

If you have questions regarding the fingerprint process, please contact beateacher@utk.edu.

NOTE: If you are an out-of-state applicant and not admitted or currently enrolled at the University of Tennessee, please contact the Office of Professional Licensure at beateacher@utk.edu for assistance. Other programs please contact your program coordinator for instructions.