{"id":155,"date":"2025-12-03T09:38:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T14:38:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/?page_id=155"},"modified":"2026-04-16T09:58:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:58:38","slug":"resources-for-background-checks-and-fingerprinting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/resources\/resources-for-background-checks-and-fingerprinting\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources for Background Checks and Fingerprinting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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.<\/div>\n
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<\/span><\/a>.<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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Fingerprinting & Background Check Guidelines for Applicants: In-State and Out-Of-State<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Fingerprint Instructions In-State – Tennessee<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Fingerprint Instructions Out of State<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 49-5-5610 requires all students who wish to be admitted to teacher preparation programs to:<\/p>\n

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  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;<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Agree to the release of all investigative records to the administrator of the selected teacher training program, and;<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Supply a fingerprint sample and submit it to a criminal history records check to be conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Please complete these steps exactly as they are below. Not following this order can cause a delay in processing your application.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n