In accordance with Louisiana law (R.S. 17:8.9), a comprehensive criminal background check (CBC) is required for teacher certification. This requirement goes beyond the CBC conducted for employment purposes. A fingerprint-based CBC, processed through the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, is mandatory for the issuance, renewal, advancement, or modification of a certificate.
Effective January 1, 2025, a criminal background check is required to be on file with our office before any certification request can be submitted. Please see the Starting an Application section of the Applicant Guide and the information found in the Fingerprint Clearance Required Before Proceeding application in LEP for more information on the required fingerprint-based background check.
Once the applicant's CBC is cleared, a "Clear Credential" will be added to their certification record, allowing certification requests to be submitted.
The background check for certification is a one-time requirement for most educators. Once a Clear Credential has been added to the certification record, clearance is valid for life unless the Certification Office is notified of future offenses that require investigation.
The “Clear Credential” is not a certificate and does not validate educational credentials or eligibility to teach, lead, or serve in Louisiana schools.