CHANGE IN FINGERPRINT REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSURE

At their September 2014 meeting, the Kansas State Board of Education adopted regulation changes regarding requirements for a fingerprint based records check. These changes will affect veteran educators who have never submitted fingerprints as part of any previous application for a Kansas certificate or license issued by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Fingerprint Requirement:
Any person submitting any of the following will ALSO be required to submit AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION, a complete set of fingerprints and the required fee:

• An application for the first Kansas certificate or license;
• An application for renewal of an expired Kansas certificate or license; or
• Any application for a Kansas certificate or license, if the person has never submitted fingerprints as part of any previous application for a Kansas certificate or license.

Read frequently asked questions...

• If this is your first license or your license is expired, make sure you submit your license application and fee no later than six months after you submit the fingerprint card and fee or you will be required to submit a new card and fee.

• If your license is currently valid and you have never submitted fingerprints as a part of any previous application for a Kansas certificate or license, submit your fingerprint card and fee at the time you submit your next license application.

You must use the Kansas preformatted card (FBI, FD258). Only one card is required.

1. Fill out the card:

• Complete name (including aliases, maiden, previous married), social security number, and date of birth.
• Cards with missing or incomplete information will NOT be processed.

2. Have your prints taken: A qualified law enforcement officer or fingerprint specialist  must take your fingerprints.

• Contact your law enforcement agency before you go!
• Take the filled out card to your local police station or sheriff’s office.
• Take at least one form of picture identification with you.
• Some law enforcement agencies may charge a fee to take your prints.
• Digital prints are accepted as long as they are in the FD258 format.

3. Background check fee:

• Prepare check or money order for $50.00 made payable to KSDE.
• DO NOT SEND CASH.
• The $50.00 for the background check must be submitted as a separate payment from the application fee that is submitted with the license application. Do not combine the background fee and the application fee.
• A card submitted without the background check fee of $50.00 will not be processed.

4. Mail the card and the fee:

• Place adequate postage on an envelope addressed to:

Teacher Licensure and Accreditation
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Suite 106
Topeka, KS 66612

• Request the law enforcement agency performing the fingerprinting process to place the card along with your $50.00 background check fee in the envelope, seal it and mail it.

KSDE Fingerprint Processing

Fingerprint processes have been affected by the COVID virus. Contact your local law enforcement center or fingerprinting entity to schedule a fingerprint appointment, do so as soon as possible.  Do not wait for your fingerprints to complete your application, upload supporting documents, and submit your application fee. This will allow us time to process your license application and will save time when fingerprinting processes resume.

You only need to request a fingerprint packet from KSDE if your local law enforcement center or fingerprinting entity does not have the FD258 card. Check with them before you order.