The Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE) in Rule 0520-02-04-.08(2)(b) requires that all students seeking admission to an educator preparation program supply fingerprints and submit to a criminal history records conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-5-5610. Admittance to the program may be denied if the student has any of the items in the criminal history that would cause the teaching license to be revoked or not issued as identified in SBE Rule 0520-02-03-.09(3).

During the admissions process, applicants will receive information about their privacy rights and process for appealing any criminal history results. They will also complete and return the Volunteer & Employee Criminal History System (VECHS) waiver and sign an acknowledgment indicating they have read and understood all the information provided. Upon receipt of the acknowledgment and completed waiver, Relay will provide instructions for completing the background check process, including scheduling and attending a fingerprinting appointment.

Per Tennessee law and regulatory code, Relay is unable to accept background checks completed through an employer or any other entity.

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