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All students in a teaching credential program in California are required to demonstrate successful character and identification clearance before they begin student teaching.  You must apply for a Certificate of Clearance no later than May 31, 2025, if you do not already have fingerprint clearance in California (see note below). You may not be allowed to begin student teaching this summer if you have not completed all parts of the application by May 15th.

Those residing outside of California have a more flexible due date. Connect with Michaela Ruiz at maruiz@stanford.edu as soon as possible with an update on a timeline that makes sense for you and the program. Do not complete a livescan outside of California, as this may take longer to process and inhibit the ability to participate in student teaching.

Steps to obtain a Certificate of Clearance:

1. Livescan verification: FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) electronic fingerprints:

You must complete this step as soon as you decide to attend STEP

• Go to The  in the Browse box enter "." Print three copies of the livescan form.
• Bring the three copies of the livescan form with you to the livescan operator.
• Visit the for livescan operator locations in your area.  Some locations may require appointments, please plan ahead.
  
  You must submit the FBI and DOJ fingerprint processing fees directly to the livescan operator at the time your prints are scanned.  The fee ranges between $55 -$65( FBI & CA DOJ).  You will pay the livescan operator directly. The livescan operator will let you know to whom the fee is payable. The agency that takes your livescan fingerprints also charges a fee for this service ($10-$25).  The agency will keep the original. You will be uploading this form via the Canvas page Credentials Class of 2025. This Canvas page will be available in the next weeks.  Please make sure to cover your Social Security Number when submitting these forms via email.

2. Online application for Certificate of Clearance: Due May 31

• You must complete the livescan verification (above steps) before you file the application online for the Certificate of Clearance
• Go to The
• Click on the yellow icon "Apply for a New Document" 
• Click the button "Submit an Online Application" tab and begin your application. For detailed instructions click.
• Using a VISA or Mastercard debit or credit card, complete the authorized transaction fee of $52.50. You are applying for a Certificate of Clearance. The online process should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

         Other things to note about the online application:

• Personal and Professional Fitness questions
  You must answer all questions truthfully, and if you cannot safely answer "no" you must attach a full explanation of the circumstances. Giving incomplete or false answers to these questions will absolutely result in the delay of your Certificate of Clearance being issued, and may result in a denial.  Do not hesitate to contact Michaela Ruiz at maruiz@stanford.edu if you need advice or have concerns.
• You do not need to apply for a Certificate of Clearance if you currently hold or have a credential or permit authorizing public school service in California.  An example of this is a 30-Day Emergency Substitute Permit. Or if you already hold a Certificate of Clearance (for purposes of teaching) you do not need to apply for an additional one. Submit proof of this document via the Canvas page for Credentials Class of 2026. STEP will publish the Canvas page for Credentials Class of 2026 soon. In the meantime, please hold on to your documents and be ready to submit them when the Canvas page is published. 

3. Affidavit form 

Download, read, and sign the Affidavit Form that is applicable to your program: Secondary or Elementary. Submit the copy of the livescan by May 31st via the Canvas page for Credentials Class of 2026. This Canvas page will become available soon. Please make sure to cover your Social Security Number when submitting these forms via email.

STEP will communicate with incoming students living out of state or internally prior to the start of the program. We will walk you through the process to get the Certificate of Clearance and figure out a timeline that works for you depending on your plans before starting the program.

Please contact Michaela Ruiz at maruiz@stanford.edu with any questions or concerns about this.