Character & Fitness

Teacher Certification

Students admitted to a Woodring Educator Preparation Program must obtain clearance consisting of: 

  • Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) fingerprint background check:

    • Contact the Woodring Certification Office if you have been fingerprinted for any reason in the last 1.5 years to see if you already have the necessary fingerprint clearance 
    • See location and instructions on our fingerprinting page.
    • The fingerprinting background check is valid for two years.
    • Candidates who have DCYF clearance may be able to use those result to satisfy the OSPI fingerprint background check, but it takes a some time and effort. Here is a link to instructions to submit the results to OSPI.

  • Pre-Residency Clearance application:

    • Complete the Pre-Residency Clearance Application (Instructions) in the OSPI eCertification website. Follow these instructions carefully!  You cannot start the process, save it, and come back to it later. Note: 
      • Any reportable incidents ("Yes" answers) must be fully disclosed and documentation provided as soon as possible. Documentation can be collected and uploaded after you've completed the Pre-Residency Clearance application.
      • The Pre-Residency Clearance is valid for two years, however, if your answer to any question on this webform changes notify the Woodring Certification Office immediately.

  • Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF):

Clearance by the OSPI Office of Professional Practices

Incidents reported through these two processes, if any, are investigated by the OSPI Office of Professional Practices. No student may participate in a University-sponsored activity in the public schools until cleared by the Washington State Patrol record check, and if applicable, investigated and cleared by OSPI. Clearance by OSPI is valid for two years and must be maintained until program completion and recommendation for certification.

Other Evidence of Character and Fitness

Students must abide by their program's conduct policies. Toward the end of a candidate’s program and prior to recommendation for the first certificate, the Dean of Woodring College of Education is required by Washington Administrative Code to sign an affidavit affirming that faculty and staff "have no knowledge related to the applicant’s character and fitness that would adversely affect the applicant’s ability to serve in a certificated role."