Background Checks on Teachers, Other Unlicensed Employees, and Volunteers
Iowa Code section 279.13 requires a school district, “prior to entering into an initial contract with a teacher who holds a license other than an initial license” issued by the state Board of Education, to initiate a state criminal history record check through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Even though the law does not require a criminal history check on other unlicensed school employees and volunteers, you may request a criminal history check on any employee or volunteer through DCI, which can run a state and national background check on that individual.  Please note: A national background check requires fingerprints.

You may contact DCI’s Criminal History Dissemination Unit at 515-725-6066 to initiate the process. The unit handles all the state and national criminal history checks.  For more information, visit http://www.dps.state.ia.us/DCI/supportoperations/crimhistory/obtain_records.shtml.