According to §33-130, Idaho Code, the State Department of Education, through the cooperation of the Idaho State Police, shall establish a system to obtain a background investigation check on individuals who have unsupervised contact with students in a public K-12 setting.
The background investigation check is completed through:
- Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Statewide Sex Offender Registry
- All individuals applying for their first Idaho certificate and those applying to reinstate an Idaho certificate that has been expired for more than 4 months
- All public school employees - a change in school districts will require a new BIC if the applicants previous BIC was completed more than 6 months ago
- Substitute teachers
- Contractors who have unsupervised contact with students in a public K-12 setting, including contractors who are providing student services
- Student teachers or any postsecondary candidates who have unsupervised contact with students in a public K-12 setting
- Volunteers who have unsupervised contact with students in a public K-12 setting
- Any individuals who have unsupervised contact with students in a public K-12 setting
- Please send an email to fingerprintrequest@sde.idaho.gov with your mailing address to obtain an Idaho State Department of Education fingerprint card, or visit us at 650 W. State St, Second Floor, Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm to pick one up. Packets will be mailed out within five (5) business days. For questions regarding the BIC process, please call (208) 332-6883. You must fingerprint on an Idaho SDE fingerprint card.
- Once you receive the fingerprint packet, take it to any Idaho or non-Idaho police department or sheriff’s office, or any other facility with appropriately trained fingerprinting personnel, and have your prints rolled on the card. Please also have them fill out the necessary forms that go with it.
If the applicant has completed a background investigation check for either employment or certification through the Idaho State Department of Education within the past six (6) months, the individual does not need to complete another background check. A Background Investigation (BIC) Check Form can be used to make changes to the background check within 6 months. If the individual is applying for their first Idaho certificate or has had a change in employment and it has been more than 6 months since their last background check, complete and submit or review the following documents to the State Department of Education:
- State Department of Education Fingerprint Card - Directions for Completing Fingerprint Cards (for review only-not submitted)
- Fingerprint Processing fee
- All applicants except for volunteers = $28.25
- Volunteers = $26.25
- Checks and money orders are to be made payable to the State Department of Education (SDE)
- Credit cards are not accepted at this time
- Payment is non-refundable
- Cash in the exact amount will be accepted for walk-ins
- Background Investigation (BIC) Check Form
- Instructions for Handling Fingerprint Cards Form
- Non-Criminal Justice Privacy Statement Form (for review only-not submitted)
If the applicant’s previous background check was completed less than six (6) months ago, complete and submit the following to the State Department Education:
- Background Investigation Check (BIC) Form
No other forms or fees are required.
Resource Files
- Background Investigation Check (BIC) Form
- Directions for Completing Fingerprint Cards
- How to Obtain and Challenge Your FBI Identification Record
- Instructions for Handling Fingerprint Cards Form
- Non-Criminal Justice Privacy Statement Form
- Parental Consent Form
- Release Form - Background Investigation Check
- Summer School Employment Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Training Resources
No resources currently available.