STATE & NATIONAL CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECK PROCESS FOR
TEACHER APPLICANTS

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is authorized to provide school districts with state and national criminal history record checks for teacher applicants. Additionally, school districts that establish an electronic "SING" account with DCI can submit inquiries to the sex offender registry, the child abuse registry,a nd the dependent adult abuse registry. Note: "SING" is the term commonly used for the state's "Single Contact Repository," which ties together multiple databases.

Fee: The fee for a DCI State and national criminal history check is $43.25; which includes a state record check fee of $13, and a national (FBI) record check of $30.25. For those agencies that establish a SING account, the state record check fee is reduced to $12 (instead of $13). 

Contact Information: School districts may contact the DCI by telephone at (515) 725-6066 or e-mail at cchinfo@dps.state.ia.us to set up an account and obtain detailed instructions and forms.  General information about state and national criminal history record checks is also available online at: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/DCI/test/supportoperations/crimhistory/obtain_records.shtml

Requirements:  DCI supplies all forms and fingerprint cards. Forms required include:

• A “Form G” (for the state record check)
• A fingerprint card  (for the national record check)
• A Form G billing form with method of payment (DCI offers many different payment options, including checks, money orders, credit cards, and pre-paid accounts).

Process:  Submit a completed Form G, a fingerprint card (consult your local sheriffs office or police department regarding fingerprinting), and the Form G billing form to the DCI.

National check

• DCI forwards fingerprint card to the FBI.
• The FBI returns results to DCI.
• DCI then forwards the results to the agency by US mail.
• The turnaround time back to the school district is generally 4-8 weeks.
• The national check will include arrest and conviction information provided to the FBI by all 50 states.

State check

• The turnaround time for the state check is generally 2-3 weeks (turnaround time for SING users is 3-5 days)
• The state criminal history record check results will include arrest and conviction information provided to the DCI by law enforcement agencies in Iowa.
• DCI forwards the results to the agency by US mail (those using SING receive results immediately unless research is required.  If research is required, results are mailed or faxed).