National Standards

• All states require either a background check in which applicants' names are run through a national or state database to check for criminal offenses, or fingerprinting. For example, the state of Pennsylvania requires teachers to get a federal criminal history record, a Pennsylvania state criminal record check and a Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance before they can teach, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania does not have a fingerprinting policy.
  
  

Time of Background Checks

• The fingerprinting or background checks may be necessary at the time the teacher applies for his teaching certificate, or when he applies for employment.
  
  

NASDTEC Records

• The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) keeps records of teacher certification requirements for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and all lands possessed by the United States. According to nasdtec.org., as laws change, the NASDTEC updates records and allows states to exchange information about background searches and fingerprinting.