Fingerprinting

All license, certificate, or student teaching applicants are REQUIRED to fingerprint specifically for TSPC.

You must use the TSPC issued FieldPrint codes for TSPC to receive and access the results. Fingerprint results are not transferable. TSPC cannot access fingerprint results if codes other than the ones issued by TSPC are used, even from employing school districts, the Oregon Department of Education, or any other agencies.

*According to Oregon Administrative Rule 584-050-0012(6), only original fingerprints submitted to TSPC will be accepted for clearance for any Oregon teaching license, registration, or certification. Previously cleared fingerprints by the Oregon Department of Education or any employer are not acceptable to satisfy TSPC's criminal background checks.

Answer:

Oregon law requires the following applicants to be fingerprinted:

Student teachers: For first placement in a field experience after admission to an Oregon approved educator preparation program
Educators: For first time Oregon licensure or registration
School nurses: For first time Oregon certification
Expired license, registration, or certificate holders: For reinstatement of a license, registration, or certificate that has been expired for more than three years prior to the date of application
Student teachers completing an out-of-state program: For first placement in a field experience in any Oregon public school if completing an educator preparation program that operates outside Oregon.

Answer:

The background check includes the following:

Fingerprint based criminal history check through Oregon State Police (OSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
Oregon Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) check
A check of the NASDTEC clearinghouse (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification) for educator discipline;
And, in some circumstances, an Internet search.

Answer:

Applicants without a valid license: Fingerprints are valid for three years from the fingerprint clearance date.

Individuals with a valid Oregon license: Fingerprints are valid from the fingerprint clearance date onward as long as a valid license is maintained. If the licensee allows the license to lapse, the fingerprints remain valid for three years from the date the license expired.

Answer:

If you feel that any of the fees you are charged are incorrect, please do not pay the fee. First, check to be sure you are making the correct selection on the License History Questionnaire page. Also, verify that you are following the instructions for Oregon Program Completers on the License History page. eLicensing uses the information you enter on those pages to calculate your fee. Next, If you are still having trouble, please email online.tspc@tspc.oregon.gov and we can assist you further. Please note that all fees paid in eLicensing are non-refundable and non-transferrable. When you email,please include your name, license type, and details of the overcharge.

Answer:

No. You must use the TSPC-issued FieldPrint codes for TSPC to receive and access the results. Fingerprint results are not transferable. TSPC cannot access fingerprint results if codes other than the ones issued by TSPC are used, even from employing school districts, the Oregon Department of Education, or any other agency.

*According to Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 584-050-0012(6), "Only original fingerprints submitted to TSPC will be accepted for clearance for any Oregon teaching license, registration, or certification. Previously cleared fingerprints by the Oregon Department of Education or any employer are not acceptable to satisfy TSPC's criminal background checks".

Answer:

Fieldprint has been contracted by the State of Oregon to provide this service, enabling the secure and accurate digital transformation of scanned fingerprint images to the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). This significantly reduces the numbers of prints rejected for poor quality.

Other benefits of using Fieldprint are:

Errors due to fingerprinting quality are significantly reduced
Processing time is much quicker (five to seven days versus 10-14 days with the former system)
It is legislatively mandated

Answer:

For Oregon programs with a large number of candidates who need to attend a seminar on a particular day or days, Fieldprint can provide onsite services. There is a fee for this service, to be determined by FieldPrint.

Answer:

Refer to this list of crimes that can lead to revocation or denial.

Answer:

If a Fieldprint location is within a reasonable distance of the applicant, you are required to use them for this service. The state mandates this process for all agencies that use fingerprint based criminal history verifications. If there is no Fieldprint location within a reasonable distance, please view the linked PDF for instructions on how to submit a fingerprint card. Note: If you already submitted your fingerprint processing payment online, no additional fee is required to submit the card.

Answer:

If the campus office is willing to provide the service to any public member who needs fingerprinting, TSPC will put college staff in contact with Fieldprint staff to discuss the possibility of setting the college up as a fingerprinting provider.

Answer:

A list of Fieldprint locations can be found here: Fieldprint locations. Fieldprint locations are nationwide. When your appointment is scheduled, you will be sent a list of locations nearest your zip code.

Answer:

You will receive an email from eLicensing to notify you that your background clearance is complete. This information is not available to the public or your educator preparation program through any web search feature.

Fingerprinting Step-by-Step Instructions:

Fingerprinting quick tips!

In eLicensing, select "Clinical Practices" for the licensing category.

Just remember: A-B-C!

A. Complete the eLicensing application.
See Step 1, below, for important directions.

B. TSPC will send an email with codes and instructions for fingerprinting.

C. You can then contact the nearest FieldPrint office for an appointment!

Step	Who	What
1a	Applicant for licensure, registration, or certificate	1a. Applicant submits an application (which includes a background clearance) and payment through eLicensing. https://apps.oregon.gov/TSPC/eLicense Cost = $61 (The fee is paid through eLicensing. Checks are not accepted.) Note: Additional application fees will apply. ETA = TSPC will email codes and instructions within 5-7 days.
1b	Applicant for student teaching or practicum	1b. Applicant submits an application and payment through eLicensing. https://apps.oregon.gov/TSPC/eLicense In eLicensing, the license category to select for fingerprinting is: "Clinical Practices," NOT "Teacher." Cost = $61 (The fee is paid through eLicensing. Checks are not accepted.) ETA = TSPC will email codes and instructions within 5-7 days.
2	TSPC	Important notice: The applicant will receive an email from TSPC, which contains codes and instructions the applicant needs to proceed. TSPC emails instructions to the applicant for accessing FieldPrint. The email will consist of the following required information: FieldPrint Agency Code: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Billing Code: xxxxxx ORI: xxxxxxx OCA: Txxxxxxx (If your TSPC account ID is five digits, add a 0 between the T and the first number.) Ex.: T012345
3	Applicant	After TSPC emails the required codes to the applicant: The applicant schedules a fingerprinting appointment through the Fieldprint website and pays the required fee (currently $12.50). http://fieldprintoregon.com/
4	Fieldprint	Within 24 hours of the fingerprint scan, Fieldprint sends the electronic capture of fingerprints to the Oregon State Police (OSP) for processing through both the OSP and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
5	OSP	OSP forwards the results electronically to TSPC. This process is taking approximately up to four weeks.
6	TSPC	TSPC records the results as part of the application process. It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor their email account for notice that the background check is complete.
7	School district or program designee	Contact the applicant for a copy of their background clearance email. Applicants must clear the background check before beginning a clinical experience.

Notes:

Out-of-state applicants or previously licensed Oregon educators returning from living outside of the state may be subject to internet searches or to previous employment checks.
Reporting: TSPC will have access to reports from Fieldprint, including lists of candidates who have scheduled an appointment, the date and time of the upcoming appointment, and confirmation once the appointment has been completed.

Fingerprinting and Background Check Questions

Please email Finger.Printing@tspc.oregon.gov.

Fingerprinting

Who must be fingerprinted?

What does the background check include?

How long are my fingerprints valid?

Overcharged: I am within three years of my initial fingerprint clearance. However, I was charged for fingerprinting when I applied for a license. What can I do?

I had a background check conducted elsewhere. Can TSPC transfer and use those results?

In the past, my college/university has been able to offer this service. Now I understand I must find a Fieldprint office, which is less convenient. What are the reasons for this requirement?

I work at a college/university and we send large numbers of teacher candidates to Fieldprint. Can we have seminars just for our candidates?

What crimes can lead to revocation or denial of an Oregon license, charter school registration, or permission to student teach?

I was told to use Fieldprint to obtain my fingerprints; however, the nearest Fieldprint office for obtaining fingerprints is inconvenient to where I live. What are my options?

Our campus public safety office is able to do live scan fingerprints. Would TSPC allow teacher candidates to use their office rather than Fieldprint?

Where are Fieldprint offices located?

How can I tell my background check is complete?

Fingerprinting Step-by-Step Instructions:

Fingerprinting and Background Check Questions