ODE offers two background check options.
Option 1: Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) Check
Current LEDS check fees are $5 per applicant.
Please note that our system only checks criminal records within the state of Oregon.
Submit form 581-2281-N page 1 followed by the corresponding form 581-2282-M form as one document via the
ODE Secure File Transfer (Smartsheet) to the program "LEDSCheck" (School Districts that have access to Central Login may choose to submit through
Secure File Transfer (Central Login). Please do not submit these documents as an email attachment.
We do not open attachments that could potentially contain personally identifiable information as they may be made available to the public under Oregon law.
Documents should be submitted with form 581-2281-N first and then each corresponding form 581-2282-M in the order in which they are listed on form 581-2281-N. Repeat this process for each form 581-2281-N that is submitted.
Please mail form 581-2281-N page 3 along with a school check in the amount of $5.00 per name submitted. We are unable to accept purchase orders, or personal checks from the individual applicant. These forms will not be processed until we receive notification from our business office that the payment has been received. All payments should be mailed to:
Oregon Department of Education
Public Service Building - Business Office
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97310
Please do not submit payment until you have received the "Accepted Volunteer Background Check" email with the transaction number. This number must be included on form 581-2281-N page 3.
Submitted Volunteer Background Check forms will not be processed until we receive notification from our business office that the payment has been received.
581-2281-N
Criminal History Verification of Applicants for Public School Employment. Must be submitted with 581-2282-M or 581-2282-M Spanish. Up to 5 names can be submitted on each sheet.
581-2282-M or 581-2282-M Spanish Version
Criminal History Verification of Applicants. Must be completed for each applicant.
For more information on LEDS Checks, email ODE LEDS Check or call 971-208-1974.
Option 2: Fingerprinting
Prior to submitting fingerprints for non-employment purposes, the district or school must have an approved policy on file with ODE.
Current non-employment fingerprinting fees are $66 per applicant. (February 2022 and onward)
This is nationwide check. Please review the
Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Checks for School Volunteers Memo for further instructions.
For more information on Fingerprinting,
email ODE Fingerprinting or call 503-508-8943.
Statutes & Rules
Background check policy for volunteers; authority of school districts and schools to obtain criminal records check of volunteers and applicants for employment.
Subject individuals who have been convicted of any of the crimes listed in ORS 342.143, or the substantial equivalent of any of those crimes if the conviction occurred in another jurisdiction or in Oregon under a different statutory name or number, shall not meet ODE's criteria.
Fingerprinting definitions used in OAR 581-021-0510 through 581-021-0512.
Non-employment criminal background checks for school districts.
Fingerprinting definitions used in OAR 581-045-0584 through 581-045-0587.
Non-employment criminal background checks for private schools.