The TEACH system (2019) is designed for you to perform various functions regarding teacher certification and fingerprinting.  It is a requirement of the program that you complete the TEACH self-registration process before enrollment in EDUC 201: Diversity and Teaching. The TEACH website is located at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/. During the registration process, you will choose a username and password and validate your identity through submitting your fingerprints to the TEACH system. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires all applicants for teaching certification to pass the fingerprinting process before they can be awarded a teaching certificate.

Validating your identity will ensure your certification and fingerprint records are properly linked to your personal TEACH account. After you have completed the self-registration process you will be able to use the TEACH system to access your certification and fingerprint information as well as the TEACH system online services.

3.2.1 Fingerprinting Information

The IdentoGO website (2019) located at http://www.identogo.com/ lists all fingerprinting locations in your specific area. You may navigate to the website, choose Locations, and then enter your zip code to find an appropriate location near you. Appointments are required in order to be fingerprinted at any location. Once you have entered your zip code click to select the location at which you wish to be fingerprinted. You will then be provided with the street address of the location. Below the location hours you will be prompted to Schedule Appointment. You may select this link or call (877) 472-6915 to make the appointment over the phone. Prior to scheduling the appointment, you will be prompted for your service code. Use the service code, 14ZGQT, to schedule your fingerprinting appointment. Fingerprinting fees may be paid in person with a credit card, cash or check made payable to “MorphoTrust USA” at the fingerprint-scanning appointment. At the fingerprint-scanning appointment, your photo will be taken, and you will need two forms of identification. At least one form of identification must be photo identification:

• photo identification documents: S. passport (expired or unexpired), driver license, SUNY Oneonta student ID card
• additional identification documents: voter registration card, U.S. military card, U.S. Social Security card, birth certificate (original or a certified copy)

Fingerprinting results will automatically be posted to your TEACH account when analysis is completed. You may check periodically to determine whether your fingerprints have been posted and analysis is complete. It is important to note that when your fingerprinting results are complete, they are posted onto your TEACH account ABOVE the fingerprinting box.  Look for the phrase “DCJS and FBI Results Received”. Inside the box itself, it will say “No DATA Found”.  This can be confusing.  Once a public school has requested fingerprinting clearance for you, the results for that will be printed in the box along with the date of the request and the name of the school district.

The cost of fingerprinting to meet the requirements of teacher certification follows:

• New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (Fingerprint search fee) – $75.00
• FBI fee – 12.00
• MorphoTrust – 12.00

Total Fee (payable to MorphoTrust USA) – $99.00

See NYSED’s finger print process webpage for further details:  http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tsei/ospra/fpprocess.html

Fingerprint information was adapted from the SUNY Oneonta Field Experience website (2019).