FAQ'S
- Go to www.utah.gov/teachers
- Select “Background Check” application and follow the prompts.
- Select “Initial Licensure” and “Live Scan” method for the fingerprinting process.
- Your forms will be emailed to you. Print this form and take it with you to BCI – Bureau of Criminal Identification 3888 West 5400 South, Taylorsville, Utah 84118, 801-965-4445. Hours: Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm. Or to the YUP Locations. Your results will not be sent to USBE if you do not take this form with you to either the BCI or YUP. If this occurs you may need to begin the process again and repay any associated fees.
- Fees may be required at your physical fingerprinting location.
- Your Background check is good for five years, continuously monitored.
- 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: It is important to complete the physical fingerprinting process shortly after completing the online portion. Your background check will not clear unless both the online portion and the physical fingerprinting is completed.
- If a student does not pass the background check, they cannot complete the field requirements of field practicum courses.
More Information can be found here.
Permission codes can be found at the following link:
CACTUS is the Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools. This is a database updated by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and contains information about you as a pre-service teacher and beyond. This database houses general information about you, such as: your contact information, your background check and test scores. Eventually this database will house the information regarding your degrees, teaching licenses, and hiring information. This is your direct connection to the USBE and you will use it in the future.
Please note that CACTUS will uplaod new information when available to the USBE such as Praxis Exams, address changes, etc. It however does not show your current background check status. It will only say when the background check process was last completed by you. If you have questions regarding if your background check is current or not, please contact Ms. Kristen Lindsay, kristen.lindsay@utah.edu and provide your CACTUS id number.
Every student, when they begin the USBE Background Check process, automatically creates a CACTUS account. To access yours, please create your UEN account.
The UITE does not update the information in this database. You are asked to supply a screenshot of your Application Status page when you request permission codes for field practicum EDU courses to help verify your USBE background check.
A teacher education license program could take anywhere from 4 to 5 years depending upon credit hours and specific program requirements. For more information please schedule an appointment with one of our advisors.
Please review the scheduling options for your licensing/student teaching year
Elementary Schedule Secondary Schedule
Student teaching schedules can be vigorous and time consuming. We do not recommend working while full-time student teaching. We do have paid internship options available, which you can indicate on your application for admission.
Elementary INTERNSHIP OPTION
Paid Internships with the Granite School District in Salt Lake City are identified annually, by the district, based upon available funding and open positions. Following successful admissions into the Elementary Education Degree with Licensure program individuals interested in internships are selected based upon the following:
- Full program admissions
- 3.5 GPA
- Demonstrated Record of work with youth
- U of U Interview
- Granite District Interview
- All pre-licensure coursework completed the spring prior to beginning your licensure year. For example, to be eligible for selection in the the internship program for licensure year 2022-2023 all of your pre-licensure coursework must be complete by the end of spring 2022.
Internship Description
Elementary Interns will complete 6 credit hours of coursework during the summer semester. Courses include the following:
EDU 5380: Social Studies Methods (3)
Based on successful completion of this coursework, each intern will begin her/his employment with Granite School District, at the assigned school. Interns are considered employees of the district and receive half-salary and full benefits. While teaching, they will complete the following credit hours; during fall semester, interns must attend class one night per week and complete 6 credit hours that will consist of:
EDU 5310: Classroom Management (3)
During spring semester, interns will again attend one night of class and must complete 12 credit hours that consist of:
EDU 5391: Professional Development Seminar (3)
EDU 5395: Student Teaching (9)
Throughout the year-long internship, Interns will have the support of both a school-based and university supervisor.
Secondary INTERNSHIP OPTION
The internship option is not currently available for secondary education students.
To apply for scholarships please apply below by MARCH 1, 2022:
We encourage students to use the Teacher Education Workshop Series: Scholarship Workshop to help them navigate the Scholarship process.
Visit our admissions page for more information and to apply now.
We encourage students to use the Teacher Education Workshop Series: Application Workshop to help them navigate the Admissions process.
We recommend that you complete the ETS practice Praxis exam at the ETS Website.
Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT)
Teacher Candidates at the University of Utah are expected to comply with Utah State Board of Education requirements for performance assessment. The University of Utah uses the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT) as a criterion for licensure recommendations. Please see the ETS link below as well as program handbooks for more information.
Students will complete PPAT during their licensure year as they are completing their licensure year. More information will be given to licensure year students at UITE Orientation that occurs in April prior to beginning your licensure year.
Yes. We recommend you complete your license application through UITE and the Utah State Board of Education (USBE); you will then need to contact the state in which you would like to work and be licensed to teach for next steps. Every state is different, we encourage students to contact the state that they would like to transfer their license to as soon as you know that will be occurring. This is to ensure that you have all of the information that you need to move forward in the process for that state.
Transferred credits depend on your prior institution, for more information about transfer credits see Transferology. You are always welcome to meet with our advisors to discuss your specific situation.
Within 6 weeks of applying for the program. Undergraduate students who apply in the summer will be notified after the admissions committee meets in the fall. All notifications are sent to a students umail account. Please ensure that you are actively checking your umail account for University notifications.