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Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences

Field Experience/Background Checks

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The University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Education, along with local school districts, require that students completing practicums, internships, or student teaching in a PK-12 setting must clear a national background check through the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) before enrolling. The same background is required for the Initial Professional Certificate through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Students will register through the MACHS system using a 4-digit registration code. This four-digit registration code is required to return the results to the correct organization for process. After registering, you must visit one of the IDEMIA office locations for fingerprinting. The list of fingerprint sites are located on the MACHS website. The fee for the process is $41.75 and students must pay online at the time of registration. Results usually take 7-10 days for processing. The fingerprint/background check is valid for one calendar year.

Determining the appropriate 4-digit registration code to use:

Students enrolling in a practicum or internship course requiring a background check

  1. Visit the MACHS website.
  2. Select the icon to “Register with the Fingerprint Portal”.
  3. Continue to follow instructions and to register with MACHS.
  4. Enter 2301 as the 4-digit registration number and click “Enter”.
  5. Enter your contact information along with your personal information.
  6. Review the information listed for accuracy and print it for your personal records.
  7. Select “Complete Registration”.
  8. Select “I understand and agree”.
  9. Send a screen shot of your full DESE profile with the background clearance visible to education@umkc.edu. Please redact your Social Security Number before emailing
  10. You will be notified of the approval through your UMKC email along with the permission to enroll in the course(s).

Students applying for their initial certification through DESE

  1. Visit the MACHS website.
  2. Select the icon to “Register with the Fingerprint Portal”.
  3. Continue to follow instructions and to register with MACHS.
  4. Enter 2300 as the 4-digit registration number and click “Enter”.
  5. Enter your contact information along with your personal information.
  6. Review the information listed for accuracy and print it for your personal records.
  7. Select “Complete Registration”.
  8. Select “I understand and agree”.
  9. Send a screen shot of your full DESE profile with the background clearance visible to education@umkc.edu. Please redact your Social Security Number before emailing.
  10. You will be notified of the approval through your UMKC email along with the permission to enroll in the course(s).