Application for Licensure
In order to become licensed in teaching, pupil services, or administration, students must complete the application form and be recommended by Kent State University. The application for licensure should be submitted during the first five weeks of the semester in which the program will be completed. Application packets are available in the Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall.
To apply for licensure, you must complete the following two documents and return them to 304 White Hall:
The following is a checklist of licensure application requirements:
FINGERPRINTING INFORMATION
As of November 14, 2007, all students must complete an Ohio BCI&I and FBI criminal background check in order to be licensed.
Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation (BCI&I) Fingerprinting
(for the State of Ohio)
Electronic Fingerprinting
- This can be done in the Technology Learning Center (TLC) in room 221 White Hall during operating hours. For current hours, contact the TLC at 330-672-2353.
- The cost is $25.00 and can be paid with cash, check, or money order made payable to: IRC @ KSU.
- You must bring current, state issued identification (driver’s license or i.d. card).
The results will be mailed to the address you give at the time of fingerprinting. This is your only official copy of your results. The TLC and the Office of Student Services do not have access to your results. You can obtain additional official copies for a fee from BCI&I (740-845-2375).
**BCI&I electronic fingerprinting can also be done at any WebCheck location in Ohio. For a location near you, go to www.webcheck.ag.state.oh.us/webcheckcommunity.htm.Â
FBI Fingerprinting (Federal)
Electronic Fingerprinting
This can be done in the Technology Learning Center (TLC) in room 221 White Hall during operating hours. For current hours, call 330-672-2353.
- The cost is $30.00 and can be paid with cash, check, or money order made payable to: IRC @ KSU.
- You must bring current, state issued identification (driver’s license or i.d. card).
**The Ohio Department of Education no longer accepts BCI&I or FBI paper and ink fingerprints. All BCI&I and FBI fingerprint information must be submitted electronically.
Click here for ODE Office of Professional Conduct - Statutes and Rules
Two-year Provisional Licensure Application
Application must be completed, signed, and returned to 304 White Hall. An application fee of $80 (check or money order made payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio) must be included with your application. Checks over 90 days old by the time the teaching license is issued will not be accepted. Thus, it is recommended that checks be post-dated to the graduation date to prevent delays in processing the application.
Photocopies of Praxis II examination scores must be attached to the application unless the student has specifically requested the scores be sent to Kent State University.
Licensure applications will not be processed by the Office of Student Services until students have successfully completed the Praxis II examinations and have been cleared for graduation. Once the application is approved and sent to the Ohio Department of Education, it takes approximately four to six weeks for issuance provided fingerprint reports are satisfactory. The teaching license will be sent directly to the student upon issuance. Status of the application can be monitored from the certification link on the Ohio Department of Education web site.
If documentation is requested by a school system prior to issuance of the teaching license, a letter of completion can be generated by the Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall. A letter of completion is issued only after a student has cleared for graduation, passed all the necessary Praxis exams, AND has been recommended for licensure.
Letters of Completion
Each semester the Vacca Office of Student Services receives numerous requests for “Letters of Completion”. Occasionally the letter of completion is requested by potential employers as verification that you have successfully completed all licensure requirements. This letter is a special service we offer to our students and will be available one week after the final date for which grades are to be posted on web for students. The letter of completion states the following:
“Please be advised that the student named below has met all of the State of Ohio requirements for licensure in the area named. The application for licensure has been processed by the College of Education, Office of Student Services, and has been forwarded to the Division of Teacher Education and Licensure in Columbus, Ohio. That office will issue the license directly to the student provided the fingerprints check reports are satisfactory.”
In order to be eligible to receive a letter of completion you must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Cleared for Graduation
- Licensure application on file
- Passing Praxis II score(s)
If you are interested in receiving a letter of completion at the above stated time, please complete a request form. Completed forms need to be returned to:
The Vacca Office of Student Services
304 White Hall
College of Education, Health, and Human Services
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, Ohio 44242-0001
If you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to contact the Office at (330) 672-2862.
