Requirements Upon Program Admission that must remain valid throughout the program and during the certification process

The Washington State Administrative Code requires applicants for teacher certification to provide evidence of “good moral character and personal fitness” for serving in a certificated role. Teacher candidates provide evidence of character and fitness upon acceptance into a Western Washington University teacher education program through two separate but related processes:

1.   Character and Fitness Questionnaire. Candidates answer questions regarding their professional fitness, criminal history and personal conduct. Reportable incidents must be fully disclosed and the requested documentation provided. All teacher education students will need to fill out an Institutional Application for a Teacher’s Certificate and another Character and Fitness Supplement before they participate in an internship.  If any information provided on the Character and Fitness Questionnaire changes prior to certification, notify the Certification Office immediately.

2.   Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation background check through a fingerprinting process. Fingerprint results take time to be processed and are valid for two years from the FBI clearance date. Reprinting is required if the results will expire before certification. _____________________________________________________________________________

Character and Fitness Clearance

Incidents reported through these two processes are reviewed by the Western Washington University certification officer, and investigated by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Office of Professional Practices for character and fitness clearance. 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 the OSPI Office of Professional Practices.  Clearance by OSPI Office of Professional Practices is valid for one year.  Clearance must be maintained until program completion and recommendation for teacher certification.

Other Evidence of Character and Fitness

In addition to the requirements noted above, students must abide by the Woodring College of Education conduct policies acknowledged in the Student Conduct and Requirements Agreement submitted with the program application. Toward the end of a candidate’s program and prior to recommendation for certification, the Dean of Woodring College of Education is required by Washington Administrative Code to sign an affidavit affirming that faculty “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.”

Western Washington University

Woodring College of Education

Teacher Certification Office

516 High Street / Miller Hall 216

Bellingham, Washington  98225-9088

Telephone: (360) 650-4930

Facsimile: (360) 650-4845

Updated: April 18, 2008