FINGERPRINTING INFORMATION
Effective July 1, 2001, applicants for certification as well as for prospective employees of school districts, charter schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) are required to complete a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check. Two sets of fingerprints are required: one for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and one for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Exempted from this requirement are individuals who are applying for a permanent certificate and hold a valid provisional certificate, applied for prior to July 1, 2001, in the same title for which permanent certification is sought.
Where do I get the fingerprinting packet?
Fingerprinting packets are available at Career Services, B-5 Van Hoesen during regular office hours (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday through Friday and until 7:00 PM on Tuesday evenings)
How do I get fingerprinted?
Contact the University Police Department, Van Hoesen Hall Room C-17, at (607) 753-4122 to set up an appointment. Applicants may also contact other authorized law enforcement agencies (e.g. State Police) to find out if they offer fingerprinting services.
What types of fees are involved?
All applicants must pay a $74 processing fee via certified check, money order or school check payable to the NYS Education Department. An additional fee of $25 payable to the SUNY Cortland University Police Department is required to cover local expenses attached to processing.
Do I need to be fingerprinted again if I change employers or if I pursue another certificate?
It depends….if you leave employment and do not secure employment at a public school, charter school or BOCES in New York State within 12 months, your records will be destroyed. An individual who seeks employment after his or her fingerprints have been destroyed will need to be fingerprinted again.
Once you are in the State Education Department database, there is no need to be fingerprinted for future employment or additional certification applications as long as you have not been out of employment with a NYS school district, BOCES or charter school for a period exceeding 12 months.
Where can I get more information?
In addition to the information included in the fingerprinting packet, more information is available from the Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA) at OSPRA@mail.nysed.gov or (518) 473-2998.
Stop by Career Services for additional information about current certification requirements or visit the State Education site at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/