AELS Background Check

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** NOTICE **

AELS fingerprint appointments will not be available after Wednesday, June 25th.

We will continue working to restore service and will post an announcement when we can again offer the service. If you need an AELS background check after June 25th, you might contact the offices listed below.

Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative, 501-354-2269 to make an appointment. Review material at Electronic Fingerprinting Information | Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative; or
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Offices - Educator Effectiveness and Licensure - Licensure - Background Check Process.

We will restore service as soon as we can.

AELS Background Check

What is an AELS Background check and when do I need one?

The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and Arkansas Tech University require background checks.

Act 455 of 2013 established that all educators must clear FBI and Arkansas State Police background checks and submit a release of information to the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry. Background and Child Maltreatment Registry checks must be no less than one (1) year old when a license is issued or renewed.

Prior to any field experience, undergraduate and MAT candidates must have an approved background check.

When do I need to get an AELS Background check?

After you register for the Intro class (ELED 2003, MLED 2003, or SEED 2003), and before submitting your Field Placement application, you must have an approved AELS background check.
If you leave school and return at a later date to resume education classes, you must have an up-to-date AELS background check approval.
When you are ready to apply for your teaching license, you must have an AELS Background Check with an approval date less than a year old.

WHAT information does AELS receive to approve a Background check?

An electronic set of fingerprints is submitted to the Arkansas Sate Police and FBI for approval.
Click here for a list of Disqualifying Criminal Offenses that would prevent an approval from AELS.
A Maltreatment Registry Check Form is submitted to the state Department of Human services, and a finding of clear is required for your approval.

How much does an AELS Background Check Cost?

$37 for your background check, which includes your fingerprinting.
$11 for your Child Maltreatment Registry Check request.

For information on how to complete your background check, please look at the step-by-step instructions provided in the next drop down section.

AELS Background Check Step-by-Step Instructions

Complete the Online Background Check Consent Form.
- SELECT Reason: Teacher (Licensure, Renewal).
- CLICK Continue.
- Employer: IHE with EPP: Arkansas Tech University.
- Fill out all applicant information.
- You must print the form now or save it as a PDF. There is no other way to obtain the form.
- You must bring your paper copy of your Consent form to your fingerprinting appointment.
Complete the Background Check Payment - The following information is needed when filling out the background check form:
- Choose a School District/Location: Arkansas Tech University.
- Verification Code: 8800004.
- Reason Fingerprinted: EDC Teacher (Licensure, Renewal)
- Print your receipt and bring it to your fingerprinting appointment. On that receipt is a unique Transaction Number that we must have to do your fingerprints. PLEASE NOTE: You are not finished until you complete the Child Matreatment Central Registry Check form and have PAID for it. Instructions are below.
Complete the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check - For clearance from the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry, submit the application with payment of $11.00, following the directions on the form.
- SELECT: You are teacher, a pre-service teacher, work for or attempting to work for a school in Arkansas.
- EDUCATION INFORMATION:
  - Applicant type: Licensed Teacher
  - School District: This should auto-fill with Arkansas Department of Education.
  - Email Address: This should auto-fill with the DESE email: dese.dcfsresults@ade.arkansas.gov
  - School District Contact Name: Clara Toney
  - District phone number: LEAVE BLANK
  - District Fax: LEAVE BLANK
  - LEA Number: LEAVE BLANK
  - SCHOOL MAILING ADDRESS: LEAVE BLANK
  - APPLICANT INFORMATION: Enter your own information accurately (this includes your addresses for the past five (5) years).
    - Click the button to have the form sent to your email.
    - Next, **UPLOAD** the form online and pay the $11 fee.
- The DHS Application Support Team at Arkansas Department of Human Services will email your document to you for your review and e-signature.
  - Download: Once you have e-signed the request form, click Submit. They will then send the e-signed form back to you. Download the form to your electronic device.
  - UPLOAD: You will then need to click the link provided in the "original" email that has the word "QuickBase" in the link to upload all three pages of your Child Maltreatment form.
  - SELECT: "You are a teacher, pre-service teacher, work for or are attempting to work for a school in Arkansas."
  - SELECT: "Licensed teacher" as the applicant type and "No" for Resubmission (unless you have to resubmit later due to an error).
  - Under COMPANY/REQUESTOR, it will auto-fill with "Department of Education."
  - Enter the CONTACT NAME as Clara Toney, and CONTACT EMAIL as dese.dcfsresults@ade.arkansas.gov.
  - ENTER your information.
  - CLICK the "Choose File" button labeled "Signed Request File" and UPLOAD your form.
  - CLICK "Submit." This will take you to the Pay page. (You must pay with a debit or credit card when submitting online.)
  - Note: Allow 1-2 weeks for your Child Maltreatment Registry Check to clear. If you have questions or problems, contact the Central Registry Office at (501) 682-0405.
Complete the Fingerprinting Process
- ATU has a LiveScan system for background checks located in Crabaugh 308. Schedule your appointment by clicking HERE. We can submit your fingerprints directly to the Arkansas State Police and FBI.
- For a list of other approved Livescan locations, click HERE.
- Note: You MUST bring a copy of your consent form, your payment receipt for your background check, and a valid ID to complete the fingerprinting process.

Check Employability - Please allow up to 3-4 weeks for the employability status to be determined before contacting Arkansas Department of Education. To verify that your background checks have cleared, use the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS) here.
- To access your record, enter the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number and your last name. Leave Case I.D. blank! Click SELECT to the left of your name and look for the Employability Check section. If the status says APPROVED, then your background check has cleared.
- If it says PENDING after 4 weeks have passed, you are missing some information -- 90% of the time teachers do not submit the Child Maltreatment Registry Check portion of the background check, or if it was submitted, it was not paid for! You will need to confirm that is the actual problem, so please contact Clara Toney at the Arkansas Department of Education at clara.toney@ade.arkansas.gov or (501) 682-4342.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Kim Tate in the Teacher Licensure Department at ktate4@atu.edu.

Fingerprinting Appointment

You must bring the following items to your fingerprinting appointment:

Bring to your Appointment:

Printed copy of your Background Check Consent form.
Background Check Payment printed receipt of $37.00.
Child Maltreatment Registry Check receipt for $11.00 (or at least be prepared to show this receipt as proof of submission).
Valid Government Issued I.D. (Driver's License)

If you do not have the items listed above, please go through the step-by-step instructions list above and make sure you have completed steps 1 and 2 before coming to your appointment.

Click Here to Schedule an Appointment