• The new statute requires a Level 2 background screening, thus requiring electronic fingerprinting. 

I was fingerprinted after June 27, 2004, using the Live Scan fingerprinting equipment. Why do I have to be fingerprinted again? 

• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) did not maintain a copy of the electronically submitted fingerprints until July 1, 2004.

I have been fingerprinted before. Why can’t I use those prints? 

• At this time we are not able to scan the ink cards, therefore everyone must be electronically fingerprinted with the Live Scan fingerprinting equipment after July 1, 2004.  

What do I bring to District Security? 

• A Valid driver license or state identification card.

Where do I obtain the paperwork needed for fingerprinting? 

• Vendors/contractors – Fingerprint Services
• Students – college or university you attend
• Prospective employees – site or department offering the position

Why can’t I be printed on an ink card instead of being fingerprinted electronically?

• The State is changing all fingerprinting to electronic.  This is to ensure the integrity of the background screening process, enhance the electronic fingerprinting system and to maintain safety of the children.

Why can’t I go to a law enforcement agency to be fingerprinted? 

• Law enforcement agencies only fingerprint people who have been arrested or need their fingerprints done on an ink card.  These particular fingerprints that are done at law enforcement agencies cannot be submitted electronically.  In Fingerprint Services, where electronic fingerprinting is done, they verify the identification of the person being fingerprinted and for what purpose they are being fingerprinted.

What is a Level II background screening?

• A Level II background screening is not a new process.  The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is using state-of-the-art equipment and information to process prints electronically to ensure that the highest possible quality background check is done through the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

I have a “security clearance” for my job.  Why can’t those be utilized for this purpose?

• In order to verify that a background check is up-to-date and that the appropriate Level II background screening has been accomplished all background screening must be conducted through Fingerprint Services. The state of Florida does not have a shared database to utilize for this purpose.

Who in the District needs to be fingerprinted, and why? 

• Every person with the District who works directly with students MUST be electronically fingerprinted.  These include:  teachers, teaching assistants, bus driver, cafeteria workers, custodians, support staff in schools, interns, and teachers on assignment.  Anyone who is in a school, employed by the District, or contracted in any way MUST have a Level II background screening conducted. 

I have a previous arrest history that I do not want everyone to see.  Who has access to the information I provide to be fingerprinted?

• The information is highly confidential and may be shared, per Florida State Statute, only with appropriate personnel relating to the employment process.

I have just retired but I would like to renew my certification. Do I need to be printed and do I need to pay? 

• Yes, you will need to be fingerprinted again per Senate Bill 2986 * www.flsenate.gov  for your certification. Yes, you will have to pay because you are no longer with the Leon County School Board and it is your choice to re-new your certification. We do not fingerprint for certification renewal if you are retired, only if you are a full time employee.

I am a volunteer but I am thinking about becoming a substitute, do I have to be fingerprinted again? 

• Yes. However, we recommend that you be fingerprinted as a substitute and once your background is complete we can put you in a registered status for Volunteer. Fingerprints are not stored by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for volunteers, therefore you must have fingerprints on file to be employed with the school district.

I was an employee with the School District and was fingerprinted after the July 1, 2004 cut off date. However, I have been inactive and haven’t been working in the District, do I need to be re-fingerprinted? 

• Unless you are a teacher, the fingerprints are in file, so reprints are not necessary. In the case of teacher's prints, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) requires their prints on file within one year of their certification renewal.  

I am a substitute teacher and I have just been hired.  Do I have to be re-fingerprinted and do I have to pay?

• If you were fingerprinted prior to July 1, 2004, you will have to pay and be re-fingerprinted. If you were printed after that date you can update that background file, especially if prints are required for FDOE re-certification purposes.