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As of 2025, people in Louisiana must pass a criminal background check before they may receive a teaching credential.

Criminal Checks For Potential Teachers

Legislators in Louisiana approved a bill that will require individuals who hope to become teachers to pass a background check before they may be credentialed. This policy goes into effect on January 1, 2025. After that date, anyone who wishes to earn their teaching credential will have to undergo a criminal check that is conducted by the State Police. This will be overseen by the Louisiana State Education Department.

These background checks are expected to cost around $40 and hopeful teachers will typically be asked to cover the expense. While some people have expressed concerns that this might make it difficult for educational facilities to fill open positions, supporters believe this is a great way to protect students, faculty, and others.

Current teachers who did not get screened prior to being credentialed may also need to pass a background check if they were not screened before being hired. The Louisiana Department of Education is working with the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to finalize details for that proposed addendum.

Why This Was Implemented

The impetus behind the bill was a 2019 FBI audit. Investigators determined that state organizations should be mandated to utilize background checks during the certification and hiring processes. A few incidents have been reported due to the lack of screenings, including one individual who was hired at a school despite having multiple felonies. This record should have made the person ineligible.

Following the investigation, FBI members agreed that state organizations should run background checks before providing teaching credentials or hiring teachers. A representative from the Louisiana Department of Education spoke in favor of this policy: “We are strongly suggesting that any new individual who comes to your system from another, after that initial certification, you continue to require that background check. It’s protection for you, it’s protection for your system and protection, most importantly, for our students.”

The Importance Of Background Screening

At Backgrounds Online, we believe comprehensive background checks are like economical insurance policies for employers. Aside from showing whether a candidate has the necessary education and employment history, they can help hiring managers understand if:

• An applicant poses an undue risk to the business, staff or public.
• Hiring someone could lead to claims of negligence.
• The individual is fully qualified and eligible for a specific position.

Running Background Checks

Background checks help employers make informed decisions and maintain safe workplaces. If your organization is bringing on employees, volunteers or contractors, please contact us. We are an accredited Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that can help you customize screening packages which suit your particular needs, comply with relevant laws and meet industry standards.

Backgrounds Online is a service-first CRA that is based in California. Our team is professional, courteous and highly trained. We’re available to answer questions and assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.