TCA § 49-5-5610 — Requirements for entering teacher training programs

All students wishing to enter approved teacher training programs shall be required to: Supply a fingerprint sample and submit to a criminal history records check to be conducted by the Tennessee bureau of investigation (TBI) and the federal bureau of investigation (FBI); and Agree that the TBI may send to the teacher training program information indicating the results of the criminal history records check. The results will indicate whether the applicant has a criminal conviction that would result in automatic revocation of a teacher's license pursuant to this chapter and under the rules of the state board of education. Any reasonable costs incurred by the TBI or FBI, or both, in conducting an investigation of an applicant shall be paid by the applicant. In lieu of additional criminal history records checks for subsequent applications to the selected teacher training program, the applicant may submit copies of the applicant's initial criminal history records check documentation and shall not be required to pay any additional costs. The criminal history records check performed pursuant to this section shall meet all requirements for criminal history records checks related to observations or teaching as part of the teacher training program. Any criminal history records check performed pursuant to this section shall not be submitted and used for the criminal history records check required under § 49-5-413 for employment by an LEA or child care program as defined in § 49-1-1102.