Pre-service Teacher Permits
Effective at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Ohio implemented the Pre-Service Teacher Permit (PSTP) for all students part of an Educator Preparation Program (such as the JHCOE), and is required by those who will engage in field experiences within Ohio's PreK-12 classrooms.
💡 Students need a PSTP before they begin a practicum and/or student teaching internship field experience for initial teacher licensure programs.
The permit is not required for currently licensed educators (i.e., students in graduate-level endorsements or administration programs), nor is it required for students who hold a valid Ohio Substitute License.
Students will apply for the permit through the state of Ohio and will undergo a background check and fingerprinting. Upon approval, they will be automatically enrolled in Ohio's Rapback program, which provides more immediate information than BCI/FBI checks have provided in the past. The PSTP aims to better align to the processes of professional educators. Review the Pre-Service Teacher Permit from the Ohio State Board of Education webpage for additional information.
Partner Schools and School District FAQs
Student FAQs
What permit do I need?
All students entering professional education within the JHCOE will need to obtain a PSTP before their initial practicum experience.
How do I apply?
Individuals must log in to their OHID account and apply for the permit through their CORE Dashboard (under My Credentials). The application will then be routed to the institution of higher education (IHE) e-signer, following the same process as initial teaching license applications. Review the Educator Licensure Process webpage for additional information.
How long is the permit valid?
The permit is valid for three years. All permits will be effective July 1 and expire June 30 (the same as all other educator licenses). Valid permits are required before beginning a field experience (practicum and student teaching internship).
How much is the permit?
The cost is $75 for a three-year permit.
Is the permit available now?
Yes! The online application is available now.
What is the RapBack Program?
A system of the State Board of Education to ensure educators complete required background checks. Review the Ohio Rapback page for more information.
Can I substitute teach with a PSTP?
Technically, yes. A school district or school may employ an individual with a PSTP as a substitute teacher - but only if the student receives compensation. Students cannot substitute teach and fulfill their practicum and/or student teaching internship field experience requirements at the same time.
I need to do a practicum in a PreK classroom, can I use my PSTP?
Yes and no.
PreK classrooms are structured slightly different than K-12 classrooms. PreK classrooms are licensed either by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) or the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS). Your PSTP can be used in PreK programs that hold an ODE license. However, it cannot be solely used in PreK programs that hold an ODJFS license.
For students wanting to complete their PreK practicum in an ODJFS licensed program, an additional background check may be required. Currently, the JHCOE is only placing PreK practicum students in ODE-licensed programs.
Are there any extra steps or processes I need to be aware of to use my PSTP in PreK classrooms?
Yes. PreK programs are required to receive verification from the Ohio Professional Registry (OPR) that any employee or guest who enters their program has met the background check requirements set by ODE for PreKs. Upon placement in a PreK classroom, you will need to create a free account in the OPR and request an additional background check (also in the OPR). Your PSTP will satisfy the requirement, you just have to make sure it goes through the OPR approval process. This will not have an additional cost.
It’s important to note that, in addition to verification in the OPR, your PreK program may have other requirements before allowing you into the classroom. For example, they may request a medical screening. This is because the program may be part of a childcare center with children ages 0-5, who are more susceptible to communicable diseases. To protect these young children, the program might have policies requiring medical screenings.
Background Check FAQs
Are background checks required for the PSTP?
Yes! Background checks are part of the process in obtaining a PSTP.
The BCI/FBI code associated with the PSTP is 3319.291
Where can I get a background check?
For your convenience, the UToledo University Police Department is our preferred partner
for background checks. See below for contact information.
University Police - Fingerprinting Services
Public Safety Center – Room #1100
3333 Dorr Street
Toledo, Ohio 43607
Email: vmfingerprinting@utoledo.edu
More information, including the WebCheck Authorization Form, can be found on their
website: https://www.utoledo.edu/depts/police/Fingerprinting.html
What is UToledo's Institution Reference Number (IRN)?
063099
Where should my background check be sent?
Directly to the State Board of Education of Ohio. This way, your information will be automatically be entered in the Rapback program. See Background Check FAQs for more information.
Should I send a copy of my background check to the JHCOE?
No! To obtain a PSTP, you need to have your background check sent directly to the State Board of Education of Ohio. The JHCOE does not need a copy of your BCI/FBI check. Beginning the 2024-2025 school year, the JHCOE will no longer receive or store student background checks. Moving forward, the we will only track PSTPs.
Should I get a copy for myself?
Yes! It is best practice to request a copy for your own personal records whenever you have a background check.
Should I obtain a copy for my field experience placement school?
With a valid PSTP, the schools do not need a copy of your BCI/FBI report for you to engage in your practicum and/or student teaching internship (that's a benefit of the PSTP entering you into Ohio's Rapback program). However, they may ask for one. As mentioned above, it is best practice to always obtain a copy for your own personal records.
Why would the school ask for a copy if they don't need it?
Though they don't technically need it for you to engage in your field experience (because
you'll have a PSTP), they may ask for other reasons, as all districts have different
policies.
Please keep in mind that for years, the schools were required to obtain and store
copies of BCI/FBI reports. Therefore, the expectation of students entering their schools
with these reports have long been embedded into their existing processes and systems.
The PSTP is new for all parties involved and will require time to adopt the changes.
How many copies should I request?
Request two copies of the background check:
-
- One sent directly to the State Board of Education of Ohio
- One for your personal record
Do I have to get a background check every year?
No! Because the PSTP automatically enrolls you in Ohio's Rapback program, you do not need to get an annual BCI/FBI check, which saves you time and money.
Partner Schools and School Districts FAQs
What does the state require of JHCOE students so they can engage in field experiences within our school district?
Students in educator preparation programs must hold a valid Pre-Service Teacher Permit (PSTP) or a Substitute License before engaging in their practicum and/or student internship field experience. Review the Pre-Service Teacher Permit from the Ohio State Board of Education webpage for additional information.
Can a JHCOE student who holds a PSTP substitute teach during student teaching?
No. The key word is during the student teaching internship.
According to Ohio Licensing requirements, the student teaching internship is a full-time,
semester-long commitment.
While the PSTP allows for substitute teaching, Teacher Candidates cannot "double dip"
by substituting during the time allotted to student teach.
Student teaching requires supervision by a Mentor Teacher, while substitute teaching
is an unsupervised role. Any time spent substitute teaching cannot be part of the
student teaching experience required for licensure.
Does the school or school district require a copy of the student's BCI/FBI report if the student has a PSTP?
No. In years past (before the PSTP), the JHCOE had students obtain two copies of their BCI/FBI
report: one for us (JHCOE) and one for you (school or school district).
To maintain compliance with the requirements of the PSTP, the JHCOE will no longer
receive nor store student BCI/FBI background checks. The JHCOE will only track permits.
Can a school or school district still require the student to provide a copy of their BCI/FBI report?
Technically, yes. However, we urge you to understand that providing copies of these
will not be as easy as it has been in years past. To obtain a PSTP, students are now
required to send the reports directly to the state. Previously, reports were sent
directly to the JHCOE so it was a streamlined process to also provide you a copy.
For students to provide your school or school district a report now that the PSTP
is required, they will need to navigate additional steps and pay an additional fee.
What if we need it for our hiring processes?
It is our hope that this may be alleviated in the coming years with the PSTP. However, if you require it we will work together on finding a suitable solution for all parties involved (on an as-needed basis).