Background Checks for Licensure

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is required by law to conduct a background check on each applicant for a Wisconsin educator license, each time the person applies, whether it is an initial request or a renewal request. The primary purpose of a background check is to determine if the applicant has engaged in any behavior that endangers the health, welfare, safety or education of pupils.

Factors that may result in denial of a license include:

• Conviction for certain offenses that can be found at: Wis Stats §118.19(4).
• The applicant has been certified "delinquent" by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue regarding taxes.
• The background check indicates the person is "incompetent" or has engaged in "immoral conduct" as defined in Wis Admin Code §PI 34.35(1)(c) and (d).

Process for Background Checks

The background check is conducted at the time the application is submitted. The background check considers the totality of the application and all of the available information. Generally a background check examines an individual's background to determine if there is any problem that appears to be related to the health, welfare, safety or education of pupils.

The background check includes a review of prior criminal behavior as well as any behavior that may be considered "immoral conduct" or "incompetency," regardless of whether it was illegal.

Sources of information used to conduct a background check may include, but are not limited to:

• Fingerprint Requirements - Information for completing the fingerprinting requirement for the educator license application.
• Conduct and Competency Form - This form is to be filled out with each application and is included in every license application form available from the DPI.
• Criminal Background Check Sources - A listing of sources used by the DPI to determine if there was previous criminal behavior.

If the background check reveals potential areas of concern, the licensing team reviews the relevant information to determine whether the issue(s) should result in denial of a license. To access information about that process go to: Background Check – Standards/Outcomes.

Resources

• Terms/Acronyms - A list of terms and acronyms that may be used during the course of the background check process.
• Background Check - Frequently Asked Questions - Questions related to the background check process.
• Fingerprint Process - Frequently Asked Questions - Questions related to the fingerprinting process.

For questions about this information, contact Courtney B. Spitz (608) 264-9339

Last updated on 7/8/2008 1:28:57 PM