Fingerprint Requirement for Licensure

FINGERPRINT BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESSING FEE INCREASED TO $57 ON JULY 1, 2024.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has increased the cost of providing fingerprint-based record checks to state agencies. The cost of a fingerprint-based record check increased to $57. The Kansas State Department of Education has raised the fingerprint background check processing fee from $50 to $57 effective immediately.

The Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) adopted regulation changes regarding requirements for a fingerprint-based records check. These changes will affect veteran educators who have never submitted fingerprints as part of any previous application for a Kansas certificate or license issued by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

Due to a supply shortage, requests for fingerprint packets, from KSDE, are currently suspended.*

* This does NOT change the fingerprint requirements for licensure.

Please contact your local fingerprint entity and confirm that they use the Kansas Preformatted Card, FBI, FD258 fingerprint card. If they do not use that card one can be downloaded here: FD258 Fingerprint Card

KSDE is now accepting  Live Scan Fingerprints that are taken in Kansas 

KSDE CODE 902KS1600

 

Requirements:

If you are submitting any of the following, you will be required to submit a complete set of fingerprints and a $57 fingerprint processing fee:

  • First Kansas certificate or license.
  • Renewal of an expired Kansas certificate or license.
  • If the applicant has never submitted fingerprints as part of any previous application for a Kansas certificate or license, submit fingerprints at the time of the next license application.

Fingerprints taken in Kansas with Live Scan

Fingerprints taken in Kansas with no Live Scan

Fingerprints taken outside Kansas

Fingerprint Guide Booklet (PDF)

 

Fingerprint Instructions

Fingerprints taken in Kansas with Live Scan: KSDE Code - 902KS1600

*DO NOT pay in the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS) until you have your fingerprints taken with Live Scan

*ONLY pay online if you are using Live Scan for your fingerprints

Before your appointment:

  • Call your local Kansas law enforcement agency to schedule an appointment
  • Confirm the agency has Live Scan
    • If Live Scan is not an option you will need to use the formatted FD 258 card. If the agency does not have cards on hand they can be requested here (link to below)

Bring the following items with you to your appointment:

  • At least one form of picture ID
  • Printed copy of the KBI LiveScan instructions 
  • Check or cash: agencies may charge a fee to take your prints, this is separate from the $57 charged by KBI to conduct background checks
  • Background Waiver Form
    • Signed by the officer taking your fingerprints and uploaded into KLAS

During your appointment:

  • Complete the personal information, as directed by the officer taking your prints
  • Provide the officer taking your prints with the KSDE Code - 902KS1600

After your appointment:

  • Log into Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS)
    • If a new user, you will need to register for an account
    • if you already have a KLAS account, log in using that information
  • Click the Fingerprint Payment Portal
    1. Fill out applicant form
    2. Upload signed waiver
    3. Return to welcome screen
    4. Print to review data that will be submitted to KSDE
    5. Pay (button will appear when 1 and 2 are complete)
    6. Print Report
    7. Log off

Fingerprints taken in Kansas with no Live Scan

Before your appointment:

  • Call your local law enforcement agency or fingerprint entity to schedule an appointment.
  • Confirm that the agency uses the Kansas Preformatted Card (FBI, FD 258).

Bring the following items with you:

  • Blank fingerprint card if a packet was requested from KSDE.
  • At least one form of picture ID.
  • Background Waiver Form.
  • Check or cash: agencies may charge a fee to take your prints, this is separate from the $57 charged by KBI to conduct background checks.
  • $57 check or money order, made payable to KSDE. This fee needs to be sent to KSDE in the same envelope with your completed fingerprint card. *DO NOT COMBINE THE BACKGROUND FEE AND THE LICENSE APPLICATION FEE*
  • Pre-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to accommodate the fingerprint card

During your appointment:

  • Complete the personal information, on the fingerprint card, as directed by the officer taking your prints
  • Your prints may be taken digitally, then printed on the FD 258 card, or inked directly onto the card
  • Have the officer place the following into the stamped, pre-addressed envelope, seal it, and mail it directly to KSDE
    • Completed card
    • $57 background fee
    • Completed Background Waiver Form (Link)

Mail the card and the fee

Place adequate postage on an envelope addressed to:

KSDE
Attention: Teacher Licensure
900 SW Jackson, Suite 102
Topeka, KS 66612-1212

To make the payment for your background check online, please follow these instructions:

How to Pay for Fingerprints (PDF)

 

Fingerprints taken outside Kansas

Before your appointment

  • Call your local law enforcement agency or fingerprint entity to schedule an appointment.
  • Confirm that the agency uses the required, by Kansas, Preformatted Card (FBI, FD 258).

Bring the following items with you

  • Blank fingerprint card if a packet was requested from KSDE.
  • At least one form of picture ID.
  • Background Waiver Form.
  • Check or cash: agencies may charge a fee to take your prints, this is separate from the $57 charged by KBI to conduct background checks.
  • $57 check or money order, made payable to KSDE. This fee needs to be sent to KSDE in the same envelope with your completed fingerprint card. *DO NOT COMBINE THE BACKGROUND FEE AND THE LICENSE APPLICATION FEE*
  • Pre-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to accommodate the fingerprint card

DO NOT COMBINE the background fee and the license application fee.

During your appointment

  • Complete the personal information, on the fingerprint card, as directed by the officer taking your prints
  • Your prints may be taken digitally, then printed on the FD 258 card, or inked directly onto the card
  • Have the officer place the following into the stamped, pre-addressed envelope, seal it, and mail it directly to KSDE
    • Completed card
    • $57 background fee
    • Completed Background Waiver Form

Mail the card and the fee

Place adequate postage on an envelope addressed to:

KSDE
Attention: Teacher Licensure
900 SW Jackson, Suite 102
Topeka, KS 66612-1212

 

KSDE Fingerprint Processing

Fingerprint processes have been affected by the COVID virus. Contact your local law enforcement center or fingerprinting entity to schedule a fingerprint appointment, do so as soon as possible. Do not wait for your fingerprints to complete your application, upload supporting documents and submit your application fee. This will allow us time to process your license application and will save time when fingerprinting processes resume.

You only need to request a fingerprint packet from KSDE if your local law enforcement center or fingerprinting entity does not have the FD258 card. Check with them before you order.

  • Call your local law enforcement agency or fingerprint entity to schedule an appointment
  • Confirm that the agency uses the Kansas Preformatted Card (FBI, FD 258)
    • If not, one can be requested below
  • Blank fingerprint card if a packet was requested from KSDE
  • At least one form of picture ID
  • Background Waiver Form
  • Check or cash: agencies may charge a fee to take your prints, this is separate from the $57 charged by KBI to conduct background checks
  • $57 check or money order, made payable to KSDE. This fee needs to be sent to KSDE in the same envelope with your completed fingerprint card
  • Bring a pre-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to accommodate the fingerprint card
  • Complete the personal information, on the fingerprint card, as directed by the officer taking your prints
  • Your prints may be taken digitally, then printed on the FD 258 card, or inked directly onto the card
  • Have the officer place the following into the stamped, pre-addressed envelope, seal it, and mail it directly to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
    • Completed card
    • $57 background fee
    • Completed Background Waiver Form (Link)

Send all mail to:

KSDE
Attention: Teacher Licensure
900 S.W. Jackson Street, Suite 102
Topeka, KS 66612-1212

Licensure Operator 
TLALicense@ksde.org
(785) 296-2288

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The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)


To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.