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Places to get fingerprints taken
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Cost for electronically scanning fingerprints or a fingerprint card
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Submitting a background search for purpose other than for Oklahoma educator certification
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Obtain a copy of a fingerprint background report
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Rejected Fingerprints
ANNOUNCEMENT:
As of August 1, 2023, walk-ins will not be accepted after 4:00pm. You may drop off correspondence at the front desk but no visitors will be allowed to go to the Teacher Certification offices.
Beginning September 1, 2022, the fee for live-scan fingerprints will be $58.25. Paper cards will remain the same price. If you send in a payment of the old fee ($57.25) it will be returned to you.
NOTICE:
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Background checks for teacher certification are valid for one year.
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The OSDE will conduct all live-scan fingerprinting Monday-Friday during regular business hours by appointment only.
Places to Get Fingerprints Taken
You may have your fingerprints taken according to one of the following options (click on an option for more information):
+ Option 1- Electronically at the Oklahoma State Department of Education
You MUST now register for all background checks. Please visit https://ok.ibtfingerprint.com/ and follow the directions. Fingerprints may be taken electronically at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Teacher Certification, Room 212, 2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
+ Option 2 (Satellite site location)
Fingerprints may be taken at one of our satellite sites located around the state. These sites are an appointment only. You can visit the following website to schedule an appointment https://ok.ibtfingerprint.com/ or call (877) 219-0197. Payment will be made during your appointment. NOTE: If you print at a satellite site for a Teaching Certificate background check, please notify us by email at one of the addresses provided below. Please provide your name, date printed and site location. [email protected] or [email protected]. If you are an out of state applicant, a site may be close to your area. Please visit the website mentioned above to find a site near you.
+ Option 3 (Card scan)
If you wish to submit fingerprint cards, you mustnow register them online at https://ok.ibtfingerprint.com/ . You will now mail them to Identogo for processing. **Please note: If you choose to choose fingerprint cards, the processing time is 4-6 weeks**
Cost for Electronically Scanned Fingerprints
The cost is $58.25 for both the required OSBI and FBI reports.
Payment Information
The following payments will be accepted at the OSDE: credit card, business check, personal check, or money order. The payment should be made payable to Idemia. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH.
If you choose the card scan option, you must visit the website listed above and register for the card scan option. Please follow the instrustions on where to send them. **Please note: if you choose the cards scanning option, there is a 4-6 week processing time.**
May I submit a background search that was taken for anything other than Oklahoma educator certification?
No. Due to FBI regulations, any initial Oklahoma educator certificate must have a current background search performed directly by the Teacher Certification Section of the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
How to Obtain a Copy of a Fingerprint Background Report
FBI requirements will not allow the State Department of Education to send copies of reports; however, you may request a copy from the FBI.
Rejected Fingerprints
Fingerprints are rejected due to poor print quality. The OSBI and FBI will look at the fingerprints and determine if the quality of prints are acceptable. Some fingerprints are smudged when using ink prints and some are worn due to age, exposure to chemicals or continuous paperwork or damages due to medical conditions, to name a few. For these reasons, an individual will have to be reprinted in order to try and capture legible prints. The following is the process for reprinting when fingerprints are rejected.
When fingerprints are rejected for teacher certification the applicant will receive notification from OSDE that they need to resubmit new prints. The applicant will receive a letter along with instructions on what to do.