COST FBI Fingerprint & Background Clearance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An out-of-state teacher has a DUI conviction from 8 years ago. Which factor most influences whether this disqualifies them from certification?
- The make and model of the vehicle involved
- The specific state's certification standards and recency of the offense (Correct answer)
- Whether the conviction occurred on a school day
- Whether the teacher was employed at the time
Correct answer: The specific state's certification standards and recency of the offense
Each state sets its own standards for which offenses disqualify applicants; the nature, recency, and context of an offense like a DUI is evaluated under the destination state's rules.
Question 2: What does "moral turpitude" refer to in the context of educator background clearance?
- Any conviction involving school property
- Conduct that is inherently base, vile, or depraved and contrary to accepted moral standards (Correct answer)
- Minor traffic infractions that affect driving records
- Crimes committed within 500 feet of a school
Correct answer: Conduct that is inherently base, vile, or depraved and contrary to accepted moral standards
Crimes of moral turpitude involve conduct considered fundamentally immoral or dishonest, and most states use this category as an automatic disqualifier for educator certification.
Question 3: Which of the following crimes would most universally disqualify a teacher from certification in all US states?
- A misdemeanor trespassing charge from 15 years ago
- A felony conviction for sexual abuse of a minor (Correct answer)
- A single DUI with no injury from 10 years ago
- A minor drug possession charge that was later expunged
Correct answer: A felony conviction for sexual abuse of a minor
Sexual offenses against minors are universally treated as absolute bars to educator certification in all US states, with no exceptions or rehabilitation provisions.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) in teacher background screening?
- It replaces the need for FBI fingerprint checks entirely
- It allows states to cross-reference applicants against registered sex offender databases (Correct answer)
- It provides employment history verification for teachers
- It assigns a risk score to all applicants seeking education jobs
Correct answer: It allows states to cross-reference applicants against registered sex offender databases
NSOPW aggregates sex offender registry information from all states, enabling states to check whether an educator applicant appears on any state's sex offender registry.
Question 5: A teacher was arrested but charges were dismissed. How should they treat this on a certification application that asks about arrests?
- Never disclose dismissed charges under any circumstances
- Disclose only if specifically asked, as requirements vary by state (Correct answer)
- Always disclose all arrests regardless of outcome
- Dismissed charges are automatically reported by the FBI and need not be self-reported
Correct answer: Disclose only if specifically asked, as requirements vary by state
Disclosure requirements for dismissed charges vary by state; applicants should follow the specific language of each state's application and may consult an attorney if uncertain.
Question 6: What is a "Certificate of Relief" or "Certificate of Good Conduct" and how does it affect educator background checks?
- It is a document that completely removes a conviction from FBI records
- It is a court-issued document that may allow states to consider granting certification despite a conviction (Correct answer)
- It guarantees automatic certification approval in any state
- It only applies to federal offenses and has no bearing on state certification
Correct answer: It is a court-issued document that may allow states to consider granting certification despite a conviction
Certificates of Relief are court documents recognizing rehabilitation that some states may consider as a factor in deciding whether to grant certification despite a criminal record.
Question 7: How do most states handle the background check results when a teacher transfers their certification from one state to another?
- They accept the original state's background check as permanent and final
- They typically require new fingerprints and a fresh background check in the receiving state (Correct answer)
- They use only the teacher's self-reported criminal history
- They rely solely on the Interstate Compact to transfer existing clearances
Correct answer: They typically require new fingerprints and a fresh background check in the receiving state
Most receiving states require a new, state-specific fingerprint submission and background check, as each state has its own clearance standards and systems.
COST FBI Fingerprint & Background Clearance 3
An out-of-state teacher has a DUI conviction from 8 years ago.
Which factor most influences whether this disqualifies them from certification?