Criminal History Clearance and District Placement Requirements

In addition to the mandatory College of Education Criminal History Clearance and Mantoux/TB test, you may be required to complete one or more additional requirements if mandated by the district in which you are placed.  If you are placed in a district that requires any additional requirements, you will be notified by the Office of Clinical Experiences (OCE) via Rowan email with specific instructions and deadlines. It is your responsibility as a clinical intern/student to comply with all placement requirements, including payment of any associated fees, within identified timeframes.  You will be reminded a maximum of three times via email.

Failure to comply after three reminders may result in a denial of placement and removal from the corresponding courses.  This could delay your course sequence and graduation. Plan ahead – it can sometimes take 4 weeks for the criminal history clearance process to be completed. 

Please follow the links below for detailed instructions.

• Criminal History Clearance (Mandatory for all College of Education students)
  • Rowan university (157270001) – listed under Sponsors on the NJ DOE Website
  • Job Category – Substitute Teacher
  • Print or save instructions for obtaining a criminal history clearance for future reference.
• Mantoux/TB Test (Mandatory for all College of Education students)
  • Mantoux/TB test must be obtained 6 months prior to field start date.  
  • Print or save instructions for obtaining a TB test for future reference.
• Tk20 Upload Steps
  
  • Refer to the instructions for downloading the NJ DOE Criminal History Clearance and how to upload required documents into the Tk20 system.

Substitute Teaching Certificates:  It is highly recommended that all initial teacher preparation students obtain a substitute teacher certificate as soon as you have completed the minimum of 60 semester hours and have your background clearance.  Things to consider when making your decision:

• Obtaining your substitute certificate allows you to work as a substitute teaching while still completing your coursework.
• You will gain valuable experience in the classroom and make important professional connections in the districts.
• Many school districts now require a substitute teacher certificate for clinical practice year placements.
• A substitute certificate may allow you to begin teaching immediately following the completion of your program, while you await the issuance of your initial teacher certificate.