A Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII) criminal background check remains valid for one year after the date the report was completed.

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The application asks whether an applicant has EVER been convicted of an offense and sets no time limit as to the age of the offense. Criminal background checks sometimes contain information about arrests and convictions that are 20 or more years old. Convictions do not just "drop off" of a person's record or disappear after a period of time. The Office of Professional Conduct investigates criminal records regardless of the length of time since the offense.

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All convictions must be reported regardless of the nature of the conviction. Note that the question reads "any" criminal conviction, including misdemeanors and felonies.

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You must disclose a conviction regardless of whether it has been sealed or expunged.

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A pleading of "no contest" results in a finding of guilty and a conviction by the court. Therefore, an individual must answer "yes" to the question of whether he/she has ever been convicted.

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BCII sometimes issues a letter stating the individual has "no disqualifying record." However, that refers to having no conviction that by law would prevent a school district from hiring the individual. That letter in no way fully addresses the question of whether you have EVER been convicted.

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A minor misdemeanor is a level of a criminal offense. Other examples of offense levels include first degree misdemeanor and third degree felony.

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Falsification is the reporting of information to OPC that is not true or is meant to deceive OPC from knowing/learning the truth. This can be an omission of fact or a statement that has no truth. Falsification on an application can result in disciplinary action on the certificate/license. Additionally, the reporting of information to OPC that is not true or meant to deceive OPC from knowing/learning the truth may subject the person to prosecution under Ohio Revised Code 2921.13(A)(5), which is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

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ODE has statutory authority to ask questions about sealed and expunged records. ORC 3319.292 and 3319.31

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Unless otherwise specified in a prior board resolution, a respondent may apply for a new license at any time. If a respondent requests to be licensed by the state board after any disciplinary action is taken by any professional licensing entity, respondent shall provide evidence that a change in circumstance exists that would permit a license. The superintendent will weigh the evidence submitted to establish a change in circumstance against the need of the state board to protect the integrity of the profession, ensure the safety and welfare of the students and the school community.  OAC 3301-73-24.

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Certified records or records that are stamped by the clerk of court as being authentic, may be obtained by contacting the Clerk of Courts in the court which rendered the conviction.

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ORC 3319.39 says that no board of education of a school district, no governing board of an educational service center, and no governing authority of a chartered nonpublic school shall employ a person as a person responsible for the care, custody or control of a child is the person has previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed, unless the person has been rehabilitated pursuant to rules adopted by the Ohio Department of Education.

Rehabilitation Criteria

If an educator or applicant for initial licensure has been convicted of one of the below listed offenses that is not an absolute bar offense listed in ORC 3319.31(C), they have to prove that they are rehabilitated pursuant to OAC 3301-20-01 in order to obtain or retain a license.

Criminal Offenses Listed in Ohio Revised Code §3319.39(“Unemployable Offenses”)

Homicide and Assault

2903.01 - Aggravated murder
2903.02 - Murder
2903.03 - Voluntary manslaughter
2903.04 - Involuntary manslaughter
2903.11 - Felonious assault
2903.12 - Aggravated assault
2903.13 - Assault
2903.16 - Not providing for impaired person
2903.21 - Aggravated menacing
2903.34 - Patient abuse; neglect

Kidnapping and extortion

2905.01 - Kidnapping
2905.02 - Abduction
2905.05 - Criminal child enticement

Sex offenses

2907.02 - Rape
2907.03 - Sexual battery
2907.04 - Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
2907.05 - Gross sexual imposition
2907.06 - Sexual imposition
2907.07 - Importuning
2907.08 - Voyeurism
2907.09 - Public indecency
2907.21 - Compelling prostitution
2907.22 - Promoting prostitution
2907.23 - Procuring
2907.25 - Prostitution
2907.31 - Disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile
2907.32 - Pandering obscenity
2907.321 - Pandering obscenity involving a minor
2907.322 - Pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor
2907.323 - Illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material of performance

Robbery, burglary, trespassing and safecracking

2911.01 - Aggravated robbery
2911.02 - Robbery
2911.11 - Aggravated burglary
2911.12 - Burglary

Crimes against family

2919.12 - Unlawful abortion
2919.22 - Endangering children
2919.24 - Contributing to unruliness or delinquency of a child
2919.25 - Domestic violence

Conspiracy, attempt and complicity; weapons control; corrupt

2923.12 - CCW
2923.13 - Having weapon while under disability
2923.161 - Improperly discharging firearm at or in habitation; school related offenses

Drug offenses

2925.02 - Corrupting another with drugs
2925.03 - Trafficking in drugs
2925.04 - Illegal manufacture of drugs or cultivation of marijuana
2925.05 - Funding of drug or marijuana trafficking
2925.06 - Illegal administration or distribution of anabolic steroids
2925.11 - Possession of drugs – any violation that is not a minor drug possession offense

Labeling of hazardous substances

3716.11 - Placing harmful objects in food/confection

Former criminal statutes (pre 07/01/1996)

2905.04 - Child stealing (before 07/01/96)
2919.23 - Interference of custody (if a violation of this statute would have been a violation of section 2905.04 as it existed prior to 07/01/1996 had the violation been committed prior to that date)
2907.12 - Felonious sexual penetration (former section)

Reference to R.C. 3319.31

No board and no governing authority of a chartered nonpublic school shall employ a teacher who previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed in section 3319.31 of the Revised Code.

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When a licensed/certified educator voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently agrees in writing to permanently give up a license or certificate and gives up all rights to hold a position which requires a license or certificate issued by the state board.  OAC 3301-73-22(B)

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(ORC 3319.311(D) – a contract between an educator/pre-service educator who is subject to discipline under ORC 3319.31 and the SBOE. The purpose of a consent agreement is to formulate a mutually agreeable disposition of a disciplinary matter without going through a formal administrative hearing (link to hearing brochure). The consent agreement establishes the terms and conditions upon which the educator/pre-service educator’s disciplinary matter will be resolved. The terms may include periodic reports form the employing school district regarding professional conduct of an educator, completion of continuing education classes, random drug screenings, community service or a period of time that the license is suspended. For specific terms of a consent agreement see OAC 3301-73-23(A)

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ORC 3319.31 grants the state board of education authority to deny an application for a teaching license or to suspend, limit or revoke an existing teaching license. The grounds for the State Board of Education to pursue disciplinary action are listed in 3319.31. There are several types of disciplinary actions that the SBOE can pursue to eliminate unprofessional conduct from the teaching profession. The Board can issue a warning letter, a letter of reprimand/admonishment, negotiate a consent agreement or initiate formal disciplinary proceedings. The disciplinary action pursued is based upon the nature of the allegations/criminal conviction and the information gathered during an investigation.

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If the nature of the allegation or criminal conviction warrant formal disciplinary proceedings or if a consent agreement cannot be reached, OPC recommends to the state board of education that it deny an educator/pre-service educator’s application, or suspend, revoke or limit and educator’s license. To initiate a formal disciplinary action OPC on behalf of the state superintendent of instruction sends a letter to the educator notifying him/her of the SBOE’s intent to deny the application or to suspend, limit or revoke the educator’s license or certificate. Pursuant to ORC Chapter 119, the educator may request an administrative hearing within 30 days from the date the letter of intent was mailed to the educator (via certified mail.)  Rules governing filings with regard to administrative hearings are contained in OAC 3301-73-06(A)-(K).

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Current and former employing school districts may be contacted during the course of an investigation, however all information that is learned by OPC throughout the entirety of the investigation will remain confidential. This information will only be known by OPC, the individual, and the source of information. Any disciplinary action taken pursuant to the investigation is not confidential.

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A teacher may terminate a contract any time between the end of the school year session and July 10th by giving five days’ written notice to the employing school board. A teacher shall not terminate a contract before the end of the school year or after July 10th without the consent of the board of education. If a teacher terminates a contract in any manner other than as provided for above, the employing school board may file a complaint with the State Board of Education. After an investigation by the State Board of Education, the license of the teacher who terminated their contract may be suspended for not more than one year.  ORC 3319.15 

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OPC will investigate allegations that a teacher assisted a student in cheating on a proficiency test in any way, including revealing any specific question that the teacher knows is part of the proficiency test. If, after the investigation, OPC finds that the licensed teacher has aided a student in cheating on the proficiency test in any way, the teacher’s license shall be suspended for one year. Helping a student to cheat on a proficiency exam in any way is also grounds for contract termination.  ORC 3319.151

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A formal, written complaint should be forwarded to the school district; follow-up with the district, and go up the chain of command – principal, superintendent, school board.

If all the options have not worked, the parent can send the complaint with specific details in writing to our office. OPC will then review the information to determine if we will open a case and investigate the allegations based our grounds for disciplinary action ORC 3319.31

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With OPC receiving records it can take an average of a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the sources from where the records are requested. For a more timely turn around it is advised for the respondent to request their own court and police records in person.

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Records kept by any public office, including, but not limited to, state, county, city, village, township, and school district units, and records pertaining to the delivery of educational services by an alternative school in Ohio kept by a nonprofit or for profit entity operating such alternative school pursuant to 3313.533 of the Revised Code. ORC 149.43  For State Board and Department of Education purposes, the following are public records: consent agreement; letter of admonishment; notice of opportunity of administrative hearing; exhibits offered into evidence in an administrative hearing; administrative hearing transcript; superintendent’s proposed resolution; report and recommendation of a hearing officer; objections to the hearing officer’s report and recommendation; state board’s final resolution.  All other information obtained in the course of an investigation, including but not limited to all offers of settlement, proposals of adjustment and proposed stipulations not agreed to are not public records and shall remain confidential.  OAC 3301-73-04(A) – (G)

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Ohio Revised Code §3319.31 grants the State Board of Education authority to deny an educator’s application for a teaching license or to suspend, limit or revoke an educator’s existing teaching license.

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The grounds for the State Board of Education to pursue disciplinary action are listed in Ohio Revised Code §3319.31. The State Board of Education can pursue a disciplinary action if a licensed educator or an applicant seeking licensure has engaged in conduct unbecoming the teaching profession or has pled guilty to or been convicted of any felony offense, misdemeanor sex offense, violent offense, theft offense or drug abuse offense. (Ohio Revised Code §3319.31) In addition, the State Board can pursue disciplinary action if an educator has terminated his/her teaching contract in violation of Ohio Revised Code §3319.15 or has engaged in a proficiency test violation (Ohio Revised Code §3319.151).

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There are several types of disciplinary actions the SBOE can pursue to eliminate unprofessional conduct from the teaching profession:

Letter of Admonishment: A letter detailing an educator’s misconduct and formally admonishing the educator that the behavior constitutes conduct unbecoming the teaching profession. A letter of admonishment is a public record and remains a part of the educator’s disciplinary record.

Consent Agreement: A formal settlement agreement between an educator and the State Board of Education. Consent Agreements are designed to address specific educator conduct and to establish an educator’s efforts at rehabilitation. Terms and conditions of consent agreements vary depending on the conduct being addressed, but can include a suspension of an educator’s license. A Consent Agreement is a public record and remains a part of the educator’s disciplinary file.

Suspension: A formal disciplinary action that suspends an educator’s license for a specified period of time, not to exceed five years. During the suspension period, an educator is prohibited from performing any educational activities or duties that require licensure through the Ohio Department of Education. After the suspension period, the license is reactivated if the educator can demonstrate compliance with any educational requirements and other conditions contained in the State Board’s order, and the license’s original expiration date did not occur during the suspension period. A license suspension is a public record and remains a part of the educator’s disciplinary file.

Limitation: A formal disciplinary action that imposes limitations on an educator’s license. The State Board can limit the type of educational activities an educator can perform or where an educator can perform educational activities. A license limitation is a public record and remains a part of the educator’s disciplinary file.

Revocation: A formal disciplinary action that revokes an educator’s license. If an educator’s license is revoked, the State Board may establish a minimum period of time before an educator  can apply for a new license or the State Board may order an educator be permanently ineligible to apply for any license issued by the State Board. An action revoking an educator’s license is a public record and remains part of the educator’s disciplinary file.

Denial of Application: A formal disciplinary action that denies an educator’s application for licensure. If an educator’s application for licensure is denied, the State Board may establish a minimum period of time before an educator can apply for a license. The State Board may also order an educator be permanently ineligible to apply for any license issued by the State Board. An action denying an educator’s license is a public record and remains part of the educator’s disciplinary file.

Which disciplinary action the State Board pursues is based upon the nature of the allegations and/or criminal conviction and the information gathered during an investigation.

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If the State Board intends to suspend, limit or revoke an educator’s license or to deny an educator’s application for licensure, the State Board must given written notice of its intended action to the educator in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Ohio Revised Code.

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An educator, notified of the State Board’s intended disciplinary action to deny, suspend, limit or revoke a license, is afforded the right to an administrative hearing to challenge such an action. A request for an administrative hearing must be submitted in writing and received by the Ohio Department of Education within 30 days from the mailing of the notice regarding the intended disciplinary action.

All administrative hearings are held in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Ohio Revised Code. Detailed information regarding the administrative hearing process is contained in the  “Overview of the Administrative Hearing Process.”

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If an administrative hearing is not requested by an educator, the State Board may, in the educator’s absence and upon consideration of the matter, determine whether or not to deny an educator’s application and/or to suspend, limit or revoke the educator’s license.

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Within 30 calendar days following the close of the evidentiary record of an administrative hearing, the hearing officer submits a written report setting forth a summary of the proceedings, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and a recommendation of the action to be taken by the State Board (i.e. no disciplinary action, denial of a license or suspension, limitation or revocation of a license). The Report and Recommendation is submitted to the Department of Education and the Department forwards a copy of the report to the educator.

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The educator may file written objections within 10 days of receipt of the hearing officer’s Report and Recommendation. Objections must be filed in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-73-06.

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Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-73-20 allows for the State Board to consider the hearing officer’s Report and Recommendation and any objections filed at the next possible regularly scheduled meeting, if the State Board's agenda permits, after the time for filing objections, a motion to strike, and a recommendation on the motion to strike has passed. The State Board may act upon the report and recommendation or remand the matter to the hearing officer for further proceedings. The State Board can accept, reject, or modify the hearing officer’s Report and Recommendation regarding disciplinary action.

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The State Board of Education votes on what, if any, disciplinary action it will impose after considering the hearing officer’s Report and Recommendation and any timely filed objections. The State Board adopts a written Resolution setting forth the State Board’s order regarding any disciplinary action imposed pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3319.31, 3319.15 or 3319.151.

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The educator has the right to appeal the State Board’s disciplinary action by filing a notice of appeal with the Department of Education and the court of common pleas in his/her county of residence or county in which the educator’s business is located. The written appeal must be filed with the appropriate court of common pleas within 15 days of the State Board’s resolution being mailed to the educator.

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Unless the State Board specifically orders an educator ineligible to apply for licensure after imposing a disciplinary action, an educator may apply for a new license. Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-73-24 governs the process regarding a person applying for a license after a prior disciplinary action. If an educator requests to be licensed by the State Board after any disciplinary action is taken by any professional licensing entity, the educator must provide evidence showing a change in circumstance exists which makes licensure by the State Board appropriate. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction will weigh the evidence submitted to establish a change in circumstance against the need of the State Board to protect the integrity of the teaching profession and to ensure the safety and welfare of the students and the school community.

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