Criminal Background Checks

Future teachers must also realize that criminal background checks are being conducted on all school employees hired after July 1, 2000.  As of July 1, 2003 all student teachers must have a background check completed before student teaching commences.

 

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) offers the following information on procedures for record checks in compliance with House Bill 1200:

 

South Dakota Requirements for Background Checks:

1. A state applicant fingerprint card must be obtained from the DCI.  All necessary supplies are available through the DCI Identification Section at no cost by calling (605) 773-3331.
    

2. This fingerprint card must be completed to include the applicant’s name, date of birth, gender, and Social Security number as the minimum requirements for demographic information.
    

3. The authorization and release form printed on the back of the card must be completely filled out and signed.  Be sure to include the correct address of the school district to which the response should be sent.  
    

4. The fingerprint card must also include a fully rolled set of fingerprints per South Dakota Criminal Law 23-5-12, which requires “fingerprint identification.”  
    

5. The individual must take the fingerprint card to his/her local law enforcement agency (police department or sheriff’s office) to be printed.  There may be an additional charge by these agencies to cover the cost of fingerprinting.  
    

6. The DCI requires a $15 fee for each request to cover the cost of processing the background check.  (The FBI charges a separate fee of $24 for the federal search.)  The two fees should be combined into one payment of $39 to the DCI in the form of a check or money order.  
    

7. Upon receipt of all necessary information, fingerprints, and fee, DCI will conduct a state search and supply a copy of any criminal history that is found or a letter stating that there is no criminal history.  These results do not include federal charges, juvenile offenses, sealed records, minor traffic violations, or out-of-state information.  Fingerprint cards will be destroyed and will not be returned with the responses.