Live Scan Fingerprint Process and Certificate of Clearance
All PPS/SSW candidates must complete the CTC-specific Live Scan fingerprint process, and obtain the resulting Certificate of Clearance issued by CTC. Live Scan fingerprinting must be completed, and a valid Certificate of Clearance issued, BEFORE accruing any hours in any school-based field placement that will be used to satisfy the PPS/SSW field practice experience requirement. Students use the online PPSC Declaration and Documentation Form to provide the required copy of a filled-out Live Scan form and their Certificate of Clearance Document Number once it is issued by CTC.
The Certificate of Clearance is a document issued by the CTC to an individual who has completed the required fingerprint and background check process. The Certificate of Clearance provides no authorization, only verification that you have completed a professional fitness review. Certificates of Clearance are valid for five years. Obtaining a Certificate of Clearance is a two-step process:
- FIRST you complete Live Scan fingerprinting using the CTC-specifc Live Scan Form 41-LS.
- THEN you apply for the Certificate of Clearance online through the CTC Online system.
Individuals who have received fingerprint clearance from a school district, other California state agencies, or in other states are NOT exempt from this requirement and must fingerprint for the CTC. This means you must complete the Live Scan process specifically for the CTC, even if you have already done it for another agency, school district, or school site. The only exception is for individuals who have already completed the fingerprint process, and have been issued a valid document by the CTC. These individuals are not required to obtain another Certificate of Clearance.
What if I have a conviction on my record?
When you apply online for your Certificate of Clearance, you will be asked about arrests, convictions, changes in education employment status as a result of misconduct, and disciplinary actions taken against a teaching or other license. Failure to disclose any required information is considered falsification of your application, and the CTC may reject or deny your application or take disciplinary action against your credential. The CTC will evaluate your fitness to be granted a credential based on your answers to the professional fitness questions and a criminal history review. For more information and instructions, please see “How to Complete the CTC Online Professional Fitness Questions.”