Urban Institute for Teacher Education

All students must have a cleared background check to receive a permission code. No student is permitted in the class without a verified USBE background check and a permission code.

In order to participate in any field-based course in the teaching licensure programs, students must pass a State and Federal background check through the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). Students must complete the background check prior to the first-course meeting. Failure to do so may jeopardize your ability to complete course requirements and receive a grade in field-based courses.

Please note that students should complete the physical fingerprinting at the locations listed on the paperwork found on thier USIMS account under Fingerprinting Instructions or on our website.

No other locations will be accepted. Note that the University Campus Police does not meet this requirement as it is not on the listed locations. Also note, the background check for Utah Childcare Services does not meet this requirement either. All background checks must be completed through the USBE system to be accepted.

Students should note the YUP or BCI locations are the preferred locations than school district buildings. School districts do not always complete the full check, nor do they always submit results to the USBE. It is recommended that to prevent delays in your background check, or having to complete the process multiple times, to go one one of our listed locations. To ensure that your physical fingerprinting is reported back to the USBE you must take the paperwork that is found on your USIMS account under Fingerprinting Instructions when you complete your physical fingerprinting. If you do not take this paperwork with you, your background check will not be sent to the USBE and we cannot accept it. All checks must be verified with the USBE, we will not accept any background checks from outside entities.

If this process isn't followed correctly you may have to complete the background check process again and repay all associated fees, delaying your enrollment in class, your admissions to your Licensure Program or receiving your Professional License.

To verify that your background check is on record with the USBE, locate your CACTUS Number, and provide proof of your USBE Background Check for permission codes; please create or access your USIMS account using the directions found below. Public Health or Child Care Licensing background checks will not be accepted as they are not on record with the USBE.

Students who previously accessed the CACTUS system via UEN will need begin using and accessing the USIMS system.

If your background check is not on record, you will be required to complete the USBE Background Check directions found below. Note that these are step-by-step directions and students are strongly encouraged to use them to successfully complete the USBE Background Check process correctly and accurately. You can also contact Kristen Lindsay, kristen.lindsay@utah.edu and provide your CACTUS id number to verify your background check clearance. Note that Ms. Lindsay cannot verify your clearance if you do not provide your CACTUS id number.

To find your CACTUS ID number, students should log into their USIMS account. On their homepage, they should click on the arrow next to License Information.

All students receive a CACTUS ID number upon creating a USIMS account. If you previously held a UEN/CACTUS account prior to 2022, please contact Ms. Kristen Lindsay, kristen.lindsay@utah.edu with your unid and CACTUS id number to check on your status and further information.

Any student who needs to complete the USBE background check must have a social security number. There is no exception to this requirement for the USBE. If you do not have a social security number and you are an international student, please reach out to the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSS) for assistance. Note that due to the time and requirements needed to obtain this, it is recommended that you reach out to the ISSS Office at least a semester prior to intending to enroll in the course that requires a background check.

If you are a green card holder and you haven't received your social security number, please reach out to the Social Security Administration.

Due to USBE requirements, students cannot begin this process if they are younger than 18. If you attempt to create an account if you are younger than 18, it may cause system glitches which take time to fix. Please be patient and wait until you are 18 before you begin this process.

1. Go to https://usims.schools.utah.gov/.

2. Click on "Sign Up Now". Enter in your email address. Click the blue Send verification code button. Note, that this email address should be one that you check frequently. Do not use a throwaway email address for USIMS. Then go to your email and get the verification code from the email that was sent to you. Enter it into the box.

3. Create a password and confirm it.

4. Type in your first and last names.

5. Then click on the blue Create button.

Home-Checklist: Please note that you do not need to complete the Educator Ethics Review at this time. You will complete this further in your program coursework with your program.

1. Click on the Licensing Issues button.

2. Please read through the statement verifying your credential status. Most UITE students will not have any sort of credential with the USBE or any other licensing entity and will select the first statement. If you have not had a credential, select the first statement. If the statement is true and you have had a credential revoked, please select the second statement.

3. Click on the blue “I Agree” button.

1. Please read through the statement.

2. Check mark the box indicating, “I have acknowledged the above Statement.”

3. Select the blue “Continue” button.

1. Enter in your Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

2. Enter in your Social Security Number, use dashes.

3. Confirm your Social Security Number, use dashes.

4. Click on the blue “Submit” button.

Students who do not have a social security number are ineligible to proceed further. If you are an international student on a visa, please contact the International Student & Scholar Services Office on how to obtain one.

Note, a social security number is required for the USBE Background Check. There is no alternative available.

Students note: Completing this step in its entirety is necessary to gain access to courses, Admissions to the Licensure Programs or receiving your Professional License.

1. Click on the Personal Information button.

2. Your CACTUS ID number will be displayed here.

3. Enter or update your first name, maiden name and last name.

4. Please select your gender.

5. Enter or update your address, phone number and email address. Note, this email address should be one that you check frequently. Do not use a throwaway email address for USIMS.

6. Enter or update your race/ethnicity.

7. Under Utah Teacher Education Program:

8. Select Yes

9. Select University of Utah

10. Click Save

Students note, if you do not select the University of Utah, then we will not be able to:

1. Check your background check clearance.
2. Issue you a permission code.
3. Recommend you for licensure.

10. Click on the blue “Save” button.

This portion of your Checklist will look like the image below. If this is not completed, any permission codes requests, admissions application checks, verifications for your licensure year or license applications will not be moved foward until this is done.

1. FBI Privacy Act Statement

2. Read through the statement and click the blue Continue button. It is very important that you read the statement. Please ensure that you do so before clicking on the “Continue” button.

3. Utah Consent to Background Check

4. Read through the statement and click the blue “I Agree” button. Please ensure that you read through the entire statement.

5. Background Check

6. Fingerprint Instructions for the Utah State Board of Education-Educator Licensing.

Note, this part of the background check is for students who are completing their physical fingerprinting in the state of Utah. If you are completing your physical fingerprinting outside of Utah, please use the directions found under Step Two: Complete the Physical Fingerprinting, Out-of-State Students tab.

7. Select Fingerprint Instructions. Note that this is the location of the paperwork that you must take with you to your physical fingerprinting appointment. Your screen on USIMS will look similar to the linked pictures on the next step: "Print your paperwork before you go to Step 2".

For assistance, please use the link next to the arrow in the picture we have linked to access the fingerprint instructions. To see the picture, please go to: Fingerprint Instructions.

For assistance, once you have clicked on Fingerprint Instructions, please use the button labeled "Print this page" to complete the next step. To see the picture, please go to: Print this page. Please note that this picture is not the page that you need to print out. It only is to be used as a reference to help you reach the correct page to do so.

8. Print the page of the Fingerprint Instructions, it has two charts on it one labeled "In Utah" and the other "Outside of Utah". On the page under "In Utah" write your CACTUS id next to "Cactus ID #" (4th line down) and again next to "Your individual Cactus ID# (last line). Ensure that this is complete prior to going to complete the physical fingerprinting. You do not need the actual fingerprint cards printed off which are after page one.

Students should proceed to step 2 of the Background Check, the physical fingerprinting portion. Do not move on to Step 2 until you've printed off your paperwork to take with you. You must have your paperwork to fully complete the background check process.

All students will need to complete Step Two of the background check process. Please use the information below to complete this process. Students should note that only completing the online portion does not complete the process and you will not have a cleared USBE Background Check.

All students should note that In-state Utah (LiveScan) fingerprinting typically takes 2-6 weeks to receive your clearance after completing the physical fingerprinting. Out-Of-State physical fingerprinting (using fingerprint cards) can take up to 16 weeks to receive clearance.

Students that are out of state and will not be in Utah before the beginning of the semester should not plan to register for a field practicum course for the following semester. (i.e. intend to register for EDU 5200 fall 2025 but will not be in Utah until August should plan to take the course in spring 2026 and complete the in-state option in September or October once they are in Utah).

Students will receive an email from the USBE when their background check clears. It is strongly recommended that students keep this email and do not delete it!

UITE strongly recommends students complete their physical fingerprinting at YUP locations which typically have same or next-day appointments available. The fee at YUP is $21.00. If you are an Orientation student or a Utah resident, please complete this option.

We do not encourage students to go to other locations including school district offices as they do not always forward the background check to the USBE or complete the full required check. If you complete the check at a school district office, please note that you may risk having to complete your physical fingerprinting again if your fingerprints are not sent to the USBE.

1. Note that no forms will be emailed to you. All information that you need to complete the physical fingerprinting is available on USIMS.

2. Print off the first page on the Fingerprint Instructions and write in your CACTUS id number on the left chart under Cactus ID #. This can be found on your Personal Information tab on USIMS.

3. Schedule your appointment and pay your fee at one of the YUP locations below.

4. Ensure that you take the first page of fingerprint instructions with your CACTUS id number on it as well as your government-issued photo id with you (i.e. drivers license). Do not complete your physical fingerprinting without both the completed form and your id. If you do not have these, your fingerprints will not be sent to the USBE upon completion and you will have to complete the process again, repaying all fees.

YUP Fingerprinting has several locations in Utah. Please choose the one closest to you if you choose to complete your physical fingerprinting at that location. Please go to the YUP website to schedule your appointment.

The YUP Location in Salt Lake City is recommended due to its convenience for students to get to as it's on the Red Line Trax Line, the Library Station. It is a 10 minute ride from campus. Remember that trax is free using your UCard.

Students who choose the YUP Fingerprinting should use the following information when scheduling their appointment:

1. After choosing your location, select Direct Submission/LiveScan for your fingerprinting option.

2. Ensure that you have the PDF paperwork that is found in your USIMS account under Fingerprint Instructions with you CACTUS number written in. You CACTUS number can be found on your Personal Information on USIMS. If you do not take your paperwork, you will have to complete the physical fingerprinting again and repay all associated fees-delaying your background check clearance.

3. The fee at YUP for your physical fingerprinting is $21.00. YUP often has next day appointments available for you to choose from.

Students who decide to use the BCI for their physical fingerprinting should be aware of the following information.

1. You must schedule an appointment with the BCI. Please go to https://bci.utah.gov/fingerprint-and-photo-services-for-the-public/ to make the appointment.

2. Ensure that you have the PDF paperwork that is found in your USIMS account under Fingerprint Instructions with you CACTUS number written in. You CACTUS number can be found on your Personal Information on USIMS. If you do not take your paperwork, you will have to complete the physical fingerprinting again and repay all associated fees-delaying your background check clearance.

3. The fee at the BCI is $15.00.

4. Your appointment with the BCI may be a few weeks away. They do not often have appointments available within the week. If you are needing your clearance quickly, we recommend that you complete your physical fingerprinting at the YUP locations.

The BCI is located at 4315 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, Utah 84129, 801-965-4445.

Hours: Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm.

Other locations on the USBE paperwork, will have fees of their own. Students are encouraged to use either the BCI or YUP for their physical fingerprinting. Students are reminded to ensure that if they use a school district office that the background check is forwarded to the USBE by having their paperwork with them and verifying directly with the office that they will do so. These offices do not always automatically do this and you may have to do a new background check. Some school district offices will not complete USBE Background Checks for those who are not employees. Please check with the location before going to complete your physical fingerprinting.

Students who decide to use Vreitz should know that they do have walk in appointments available, no scheduled appointment is necessary.

1. Please go to https://vreitz.com/ for more information.

2. Ensure that you have the PDF paperwork that is found in your USIMS account under Fingerprint Instructions with you CACTUS number written in. You CACTUS number can be found on your Personal Information on USIMS. If you do not take your paperwork, you will have to complete the physical fingerprinting again and repay all associated fees-delaying your background check clearance.

3. Take your picture id with you.

4. The fee at the BCI is $21.00.

Vreitz is located at 2828 W 4700 S, West Valley City, Utah 84129 Unit D in the Blake Professional Plaza.

Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am to 7 pm. Saturday 8 am-12 pm.

Other locations on the USBE paperwork, will have fees of their own. Students are encouraged to use either YUP, the BCI or Vreitz for their physical fingerprinting. Students are reminded to ensure that if they use a school district office that the background check is forwarded to the USBE by having their paperwork with them. These offices do not always automatically do this and you may have to do a new background check. Some school district offices will not complete USBE Background Checks for those who are not employees. Please check with the location before going to complete your physical fingerprinting.

This is for those students who are out of state and need to complete this prior to attending the University of Utah and will not be at an in person Orientation.

Students are reminded that this can take 16 weeks to complete and should only be completed by students who intend to register for field practicum classes in a later subsequent semester, giving themselves at least four months to successfully complete the process.

Students are expected to plan their fingerprinting and field practicum course selection appropriately to accommodate the background check process. Students who complete physical fingerprint cards should not plan to complete fieldwork in next academic semester due to the time it takes to complete this process. (i.e. A student planning on taking EDU 5200 in fall should plan to start the process no later than May 1, otherwise the student should plan to take the course in spring.)

Follow the instructions found on the Fingerprint Instructions page, right side of the table.

1. Go to a police station or another agency that will complete physical fingerprinting. Check prior to going to the location to see if the location requires you to schedule an appointment or will accept walk-ins.

2. Take your government issued photo id with you.

3. Make sure that your fingerprinting is done in black ink or digitally completed. The USBE strongly recommends the FD-258 card which can be downloaded from the FBI website: Applicant Fingerprint Form (FD-258) — FBI.

4. Complete all of the required spaces. See the sample card on the remaining pages of the fingerprint instructions for greater detail.

5. Return to the USBE Educator Licensing Office one completed fingerprint card. DO NOT FOLD, BEND, STAPLE OR PUNCH HOLES IN FINGERPRINT CARDS.

6. Mail card to the address using the shipping information found on the Fingerprint Instruction page.

You must list the University of Utah as the Institution you are attending when you complete the online portion of the background check procedure.

Your USBE Background Check is valid for five years, provided nothing occurs to invalidate it. The background check will be continuously monitored for continued clearance.

Background check status will be recorded by the UITE at the University of Utah and instructors in future field-based classes will be made aware of your clearance status so that you do not have to complete the check more than once within a five-year period.

IMPORTANT: You have one year from the time you log into the USBE system to take your form to the BCI or YUP site and get your prints taken. If you do not complete the process within the time limit, you will be taken out of the USBE system and will have to repay all fees. We strongly encourage you to complete this process as soon as possible to prevent delays in clearances which may delay enrollment in some classes.

If a student does not pass the background check, they cannot complete the field requirements of field practicum courses.

Please follow the directions listed above, these are written to help you successfully complete the process.

Students should note that background checks that cannot be verified by USIMS will not be accepted, with no exceptions. If you have completed a check for a different UT state department you can verify your background check status with the USBE. Note, most other state departments background checks do not meet all the requirements that the USBE requires. You must contact the USBE if you want to verify if your background check will count for USIMS, this is not something the Background Check Coordinator will do on your behalf.