Fingerprinting Requirements for Minnesota Teacher License
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
If you're applying for your first Minnesota teaching license, you'll need to complete a fingerprint-based background check as part of the application process. This step is required by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) and helps ensure a safe and trusted learning environment in Minnesota schools.
Here’s a breakdown of how the process works and how you can prepare for it.
Step-by-Step Overview
1. Get Fingerprinted
Before submitting your license application, you must be fingerprinted using the FD-258 fingerprint cards (white cards with a light blue border). As of spring 2025, PELSB no longer mails out fingerprint cards. Certified Fingerprinting MN is a qualified vendor that provides the FD-258 cards .
You can be fingerprinted at any approved location, whether in Minnesota or out of state—as long as your prints are taken on the official FD-258 cards.
Tip: Always check ahead to see if the location provides the card or if you need to bring your own.
2. Submit Your Completed Card(s).
Once fingerprinted, you’ll submit the card(s) as part of your full licensure application. Be sure to include:
Your full legal name
Date of birth
Signature
The date your fingerprints were taken
Your application will not be processed until PELSB receives a properly completed fingerprint card(s). Fingerprints must be taken within the past 12 months. If the card(s) are incomplete or outdated, your entire application will be returned for corrections.
3. Background Check Processing
PELSB sends your completed fingerprint cards to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). They conduct the official background check and return the results directly to PELSB. The licensing process can only move forward once those results are received.
4. What Happens Next
If your background check is clean, your application continues through the review process.
If the BCA flags any issues, your application is sent to PELSB’s Ethics Department for further evaluation. It’s strongly recommended that you disclose any relevant history in your application and submit documentation ahead of time to avoid delays.
If your prints are deemed “not classifiable” (i.e., unreadable), you’ll be asked to submit a second fingerprint card. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you submit 2 fingerprint cards for the background check. Until your fingerprints are accepted, your application will remain incomplete and your license cannot be issued.
Where to Get Fingerprinted in Minnesota
Here are a few options in Minnesota where you can be fingerprinted for PELSB licensure:
Certified Fingerprinting, MN (Edina)
Local Police Station (not all police stations fingerprint and many have limited availability and hours)
Check with the Sheriff’s office (call ahead for availability and hours)
Common Questions
I have previously been fingerprinted. Can PELSB use those results?
No. Even if you’ve recently been fingerprinted by your school district or another agency, PELSB requires a new fingerprint card submitted with your initial license application.
If I previously held a Minnesota educator license, do I need to be fingerprinted again?
No. If you've ever held a Minnesota teaching license—even if it has expired—you do not need to submit a new fingerprint card.
Can I submit electronic fingerprints?
Currently, no. PELSB does not accept electronic or scanned fingerprint submissions. However, your fingerprints may be digitally scanned if they are printed out on an official FD-258 card.
Will PELSB provide me with a copy of my background check?
No. PELSB does not release background check results to applicants or school districts. If you'd like a copy, you’ll need to request it directly through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Source:
This information is based on official guidance from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). For the most current requirements and additional resources, visit: PELSB.mn.gov