We have received several inquiries from school districts regarding the interpretation of Act 1313 of 1997, as it relates to criminal background checks.
We hope you find this information helpful as you deal with this matter in your districts.
The official ADE position regarding criminal background checks is as follows:
* Educators seeking licensure are required to complete only one criminal background check as long as they remain in the same school district.
* That background check will occur when an individual applies for his/her first time license, or at the next renewal for those who held licensure at the time Act 1313 of 1997 went into effect (July 1, 1997).
* All individuals required to have an educational license must complete an additional criminal background check whenever they change employment from one School District to another.
Background checks cannot be older than one year at the time of initial licensure or renewal.