All undergraduate and graduate students must have a current Criminal Background Check (CBC) on file before beginning any field experience. This process primarily applies to teacher education field experiences; speak with the Office of Field Experiences or your advisor to determine if you need to submit a CBC request for counseling or other field experience placements.

  • CBCs expire six months after the report is completed.
  • Any criminal charges (other than minor traffic violations) that arise during this time must be reported to the Associate Dean for Academic Partnerships, Assessment, and Accreditation.
  • Students with pending charges will be ineligible for field experience.

CBC Deadlines

  • Fall Field Experience: July 31
  • Spring Field Experience: December 15

Appalachian State partners with Certiphi.com to process CBCs, in response to school system requirements for working with children.

How to Request a Criminal Background Check

Step 1: Submit Your CBC Request in Self Service

  1. Log into AppalNet Self Service.
  2. Select the Student tab.
  3. Under Students – Additional Systems & Resources, select RCOE Student Services.
  4. Choose New Criminal Background Check Request.
  5. Complete all required fields and submit.

Wait for an email from StudentEdition@certiphi.com with instructions before moving to Step 2. (Check your Spam folder if you don’t see it.)

Step 2: Complete the Certiphi Application

IMPORTANT: Before proceeding to Step 2, please wait 24 hours to receive an email from StudentEdition@certiphi.com with further instructions on when you can complete your order. If you cannot find this email, please check the Spam folder in your mailbox. Attempting to complete the application before the specified date and time will result in an error message stating that your information is not on file.

  1. Go to applicationstation.certiphi.com.
  2. Select Log In or Sign Up.
  3. Enter code: APPSTATEEDUCATION.
  4. Follow the steps to complete your application in one sitting.
  5. Pay the application fee via PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account; you may use a credit or debit card).
  6. Select Submit forms to finish.

If you encounter issues with your application or payment, contact Certiphi Support at 800-803-7860 (press 0).

Allow 4–5 business days for your CBC status to update.

Next Steps

  • Within 3–5 business days, your report will be sent to both the Associate Dean and you, the field experience candidate.
  • If the background check is not cleared, you will receive an email from the Dean’s Office with further instructions.

The Associate Dean will make every effort to secure a placement, but a placement cannot be guaranteed for students with questionable backgrounds.

  • If three placement attempts are unsuccessful, you may be required to withdraw from the program.

Confidentiality

The Associate Dean for Academic Partnerships, Assessment, and Accreditation has access to student CBC documents and will discuss results as appropriate. All background check information is treated with the highest confidentiality and used only for securing student teaching placements.

Questions?

For questions or assistance with requesting your CBC, please contact cbc@appstate.edu.