DESE FBI Fingerprinting National Background Check

This is not an MSU requirement. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires a background check for all certificates. The background check is valid for one year and must be valid at the time of certification. This background check is required even if students are working on a Provisional, Temporary, or Substitute Certificate. 

PLEASE NOTE: DESE FBI Fingerprinting is NOT the same as the MSU FBI MOVECHS Fingerprinting that is required for admission to teacher education. 

To complete DESE FBI Fingerprinting Background Check which is required for a substitute certificate and student teaching:

  1. Register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) at machs.mo.govto be fingerprinted through IdentoGO.
  2. Select “Click here to Register with the Fingerprint Portal".
  3. Select "Click here to register with MACHS".
  4. Obtain a DESE FBI Fingerprinting background check using registration code 2301.
  5. Select "OK" on the pop-up window and verify the ORI name listed. The ORI name should automatically display as Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If the correct ORI name does not display, verify that you entered DESE's 4-digit registration code: 2301.
  6. After ORI name is verified, enter data into the fields provided. When finished, select “Register”.
  7. Follow screen instructions through completion selecting the Register for Digital Fingerprinting Services option. PLEASE NOTE: Students located out of state should select Fingerprinting Card instead of the digital option since the digital option is not available to non-residents. Follow all instructions to complete the fingerprinting process.
  8. The cost of a DESE FBI fingerprinting background check is $50.
  9. The fingerprinting result will display on the DESE Educator Certification System profile and will be used for a Substitute Certificate and Initial Professional Certificate.
  10. If you have questions, please call 417-836-8772.

For questions about the manual fingerprint process, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 573-526-6153 option 3, option 1, for the Record Check Processing Unit. 

Procedure for Monitoring and Processing FBI Fingerprinting Background Check Findings:

In the event that DESE has 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.