**For Students enrolled in Education or Health and Human Development classes only**

To comply with the National Child Protection Act of 1993, the Department of Education requires a mandatory national FBI criminal history background check, “to determine the fitness of an employee, or volunteer, or a person with unsupervised access to children.”  This imperative applies to certain pre-service EDU courses, practicum, school counseling internships, MAT Students, and Student teaching.

Fingerprinting is required:

  • Concurrently with EDU 101/222/223
  • Prior to Practicum -  if you were fingerprinted as part of the classes listed above, you do not need to repeat the process here.
  • Prior to EDU 495R (Student Teaching)
  • If 2 or more years has passed since the last background check
  • Prior to admission to the MAT program
  • As needed at the discretion of the Field Placement Director

Obtaining Fingerprints

Prepared Fingerprint Cards are available at Reid 247 during office hours.
Blank cards are available at all Police Departments. 

You must show your ID in order to be fingerprinted.

Background checks can only be processed through Reid 247 if you are taking classes in the College of Education, Health & Human Development. 

Places for Fingerprinting:

  1. FPLO Office - Reid 247 ($10) NOW AVAILABLE!

  2. MSU Police Department $15

    • Schedule an appointment by calling 406-994-2121

  3. Gallatin County Detention Center $15

  4. Bozeman Police Department/Safety Center (Free)

Completing the background check process:

  1. Complete Consent forms
  2. Pay for background check ($25) using our online portal.
  3. Bring completed fingerprint cards and proof of payment to
    REID 247
  4. Upload acknowledgement of materials received to Canvas.

**Please Note: if you go to a police department for fingerprinting, you will make two separate payments: 

  1. Fingerprints at the police department 
  2. Background check online

 

Not in Bozeman?

  1. Pick up a blank fingerprint card at the nearest law enforcement agency.
  2. Complete the blank fingerprint card by using the fingerprintcard instructions. 
  3. Take the completed fingerprint card to the nearest law enforcement agency where they will take your fingerprints.
  4. Mail the following items to the address below:
    • Completed Fingerprint Card
    • Check or money order for $25.00 payable to Criminal Records – THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WILL NOT ACCEPT CASH
    • Mail to:
      • Montana Department of Justice
        Criminal Records and Identification Services
        PO Box 201403
        2225 11th Ave
        Helena MT 59620-1403
  5. Access and complete the Department of Justice Paperwork and Consent Forms