The Office of Educator Licensure will
begin implementing a new requirement for applicants for educator licenses and
school-related permits. Effective March 29, all applicants will be required to complete an
Ohio criminal background check, conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and
Investigation (BCII), as required by Amended House Bill 79. The requirement includes
applicants seeking to transition, renew or advance their licenses, as well as applicants
seeking new and renewal adult education and pupil activity permits.
Any applicant who has not lived in Ohio
continuously for the past five years also must complete a federal criminal background
check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Results of both state and federal
background checks are valid for one year. If an application is received on or after March
29 without the appropriate background check results on file, ODE will place the
application on hold pending receipt of the results. For questions or more information,
please contact the Office of Educator Licensure at (614) 466-3593.
