Compliance Documents Required for Practicum, Internship or Student Teaching

*Please note: As of spring 2025, if you have a completed MOVECHS background check and are not enrolled in courses for one or more semesters, you will need to redo your MOVECHS background check when you return. 

The FBI fingerprinting national background check is required for all students enrolled in a course in which there is a practicum. This background check must be obtained to meet course requirements. The background check will be recorded in your Test Scores. 

PLEASE NOTE: MSU FBI MOVECHS Fingerprinting is NOT the same as the DESE FBI Fingerprinting that is required for a substitute certificate and certification. 

MOVECHS Waiver and Fingerprinting procedure:

1. Complete the MOVECHS Waiver Agreement form at My Missouri State > Teacher Education Resources box/card > MOVECHS Waiver before beginning the registration process for MOVECHS FBI fingerprinting. Use Google Chrome.
2. Print or save the instructions that display in a new window, after completion of the waiver. The instructions include the 4-digit code needed for Missouri State University MOVECHS fingerprinting.
3. Follow the instructions and enter the 4-digit MSU registration code to register on the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS). The screen will automatically display MSU College of Education after you enter that code.
4. Follow the instructions.
   1. If located in Missouri, or your permanent residence is outside Missouri, but you are temporarily located in Missouri for college, choose the Register for Digital Fingerprinting Services option. When you go to IdentoGo to complete your fingerprinting, check that they are sending your results to MSU College of Education.
   2. If you are located outside Missouri and you are not available to complete fingerprinting in the state of Missouri, register online for fingerprint card processing by doing the following:
      1. Go to https://www.identogo.com/.
      2. Search for "services by state".
      3. Choose "Missouri" and "digital fingerprinting".
      4. It will ask for the 4-digit code. (See step 1 if you don't know it.)
      5. Fill out everything you need to fill out and pay the payment.
      6. You will be emailed the directions needed for where to send the fingerprint card.
      7. You need an FD-258 card for fingerprinting, which you can get at a local law enforcement office or a third party vendor.
      8. If you have any questions, contact Identogo's customer service at 1-844-543-9712.
5. The cost of a MOVECHS FBI fingerprinting is $43.50. Beginning October 1, 2026, the cost of a MOVECHS FBI fingerprinting is $47.
6. The fingerprinting result is usually received in approximately one week by the MSU College of Education and entered in MSU Test Scores.

Procedure for Monitoring and Processing FBI Fingerprinting Background Check Findings:

The Professional Education Services office processes MOVECHS FBI fingerprinting background checks and verifies the clearance date of DESE FBI background checks. In the event that there is a “finding” on a student’s record, students will not be allowed to begin their practicum, internship, or student teaching until the student has been approved by the program/department to enter or re-enter the classroom.

If the student wishes to challenge the accuracy and completeness of information contained in the finding report, it is the student's responsibility to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

NOTE: A MOVECHS FBI fingerprinting background check cannot be used when applying for a Substitute Certificate or Initial Teaching Certificate. If you are obtaining a fingerprinting for a Substitute Certificate or Initial Teaching Certificate, a DESE FBI fingerprinting background check registration code must be used.

Steps to Obtain a Substitute Certificate

This is a multi-step process that includes creating a DESE account, completing and paying for an application for the sub certificate, sending transcripts to DESE, and completing a DESE background check. See steps below.

Creating a DESE Account:

1. Click this DESE account link and register a user ID and password. Click "Register" at the bottom of the page. 
2. Complete the registration questions and click "Create User". (A confirmation message will appear.)
3. Click "Return to DESE Login page" link, enter your username and password, and click "Login."
4. Click "Educator Certification System - Request Educator Access" and click "Submit."
5. Click "Close" in the small confirmation window.
6. Click on "Educator Certification System" and enter your Social Security Number (SSN) and date of birth (DOB). Click "Submit."
7. Enter or verify Profile information (proper/legal name - no nicknames) and click "Save Profile."
8. Scroll down and complete or edit the Contact Information section and click "Save."

NOTE: Do not create more than one username. Creating multiple usernames will cause the system to deny access to the profile page and certification records. Click "Forgot Username/Password?" in the lower section of the login page to request access to username or to reset password if needed.

Completing a substitute certificate application:

1. Log in to DESE Web Applications and choose "Educator Certification System".
2. Find "Applications" in the left menu and choose "Substitute Certificate". Complete the Substitute Certificate application; choose "Content Substitute" as the type of application. A processing fee of $50.00 is required which may be paid by credit/debit card. For more information visit Substitute Certification Application Procedure.

Sending transcripts to DESE:

1. Obtain official transcripts from ALL institutions attended.

• • Log into My Missouri State > My Transcripts card > Official Transcript Request
  • Log into Parchment. (A Parchment account may need to be created as part of the transcript ordering process. Your password may be different than your MSU password, since Parchment is not part of MSU.)
  • Select "Order your Transcript Mailed". 
  • Set Delivery Destination - Select "I'm sending to myself or another individual" at the bottom of the page, then select "I am sending this order to another individual."
  • Set Delivery Destination continued - Complete cells under "Recipient Information" as follows: Educator Certification, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480. Select "Continue"
  • Items Details - For "Purpose", select "Other" from pull down menu.
  • Choose Shipping Method from pull down menu.
  • Select "Add An Attachment" after creating a WORD document with full name and Educator ID number (found on your DESE profile).
  • Complete "Signature" and payment. There is a $10.00 charge for the transcript.
  • A transcript may also be obtained by going to the Registrar's office in Carrington Hall, Room 320. If you choose to pick it up and mail it to Educator Certification, do not open the envelope. DESE requires official transcripts. Put a print out of your Educator ID profile page and the sealed envelope of transcripts in a new envelope and mail to the bold address above.

The Substitute Certificate application is the only application needed in order to obtain a substitute certificate. Do not complete any other applications at this time, as they will be returned.

Completing a DESE background check:

1. Obtain a DESE FBI Fingerprinting background check using registration code 2301.

Checking Fingerprinting Results:

1. 1. Click the link to DESE's site and select "Educators" > "DESE Application Sign-in" > enter your user ID and password.
   2. Scroll down the page to "Fingerprint Information" to access results.

Checking Certificate Status:

1. Click the link to DESE's site and select "Educators" > "DESE Application Sign-in" > enter your user ID and password.
2. Click on Certificate Status (left menu).
3. A listing of all certificates applied for and issued will appear with classification, effective date, and expiration date.