How often do I need to get a background check?
If you have a Lifetime License, you will need to submit a request for a background check at least once every 5 years via our online educator licensing portal (ELO). The deadline to submit a request is June 30 of your fifth year.
Maintaining a lifetime license also requires the license holder to have been regularly employed in education during the last five years. Regularly employed in education means employed as an educator providing services directly to students, families or fellow educators in a prekindergarten through college setting or providing administrative oversight in a prekindergarten through grade 12 setting for one hour per day per semester or its equivalent.
When was my last background check?
Find your information in
License Lookup (under your name and entity number).
Steps to get a background check if you have a Lifetime License
1. Determine Fingerprint Requirement
- Use the fingerprint decision tree to determine if this step is needed. If you have determined that you need fingerprints, submit them electronically via our vendor Fieldprint by following the Electronic Fingerprint Submission directions.
2. Log in to Educator Licensing Online (ELO) .
- Find the MANAGE YOUR EXISTING LICENSES section of the Quick Start Menu.
- Choose “Request Background Check - Lifetime License (5900)” in the drop-down menu and click GO! See screenshot below:
- Review each page of the application for accuracy and click “SUBMIT” and receive an email confirmation.
3. Complete Application on ELO
- Click the GO! button next to “Submit C&C and Payment to Complete Application.”
- Review your fees.
- Complete the Conduct and Competency Questionnaire (14 questions). Please preview the Conduct and Competency Questionnaire ahead of time to determine if documentation is required.
- Pay with a credit card or pre-paid card.
Note: If you have multiple Lifetime licenses, you only need to complete a "5900 - Lifetime Background Update" application for one of those Lifetime licenses. It does not matter under which Lifetime license you submit the "5900 - Lifetime Background Update" application
PROCESSING TIMES
Our processing times vary throughout the year. For current processing times see the Check Application Status page.