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*NEW* Directions for Criminal History Checks and Fingerprinting

*NEW* Directions for Criminal History Checks and Fingerprinting

Read this important announcement if you are in an initial teacher certification program. 

The STEP and Certification Offices recently received permission from the NJDOE to serve as a “school” or “sponsoring agent” for students seeking criminal clearances and/or substitute certificates. This means that students will no longer have to go through a particular school district to obtain their clearances OR substitute certifications. Explicit directions can be found on this link. https://certification.tcnj.edu/substituteteaching/ 

What does this mean? 

The directions for requesting criminal history checks and fingerprinting have CHANGED. Attached is the link/document on how to register with the NJDOE for fingerprinting. https://certification.tcnj.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/149/2018/11/TCNJ-fingerprinting.pdf 
    
Regardless of the course or your role in the school, ALL students must register as a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER to get their clearances. Selecting college student or volunteer are no longer acceptable to meet our students’ needs. 
NOTE: Not making this adjustment will cost students more money if and when a district requires them to have a sub cert or if they want to work as a substitute. 

If you have questions, visit the STEP Office website https://step.tcnj.edu/ or the Certification Office website https://certification.tcnj.edu 

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