ICHAT and Legal Information

Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) Policy

All students assigned to sites for clinical and/or educational experiences are required to complete and submit an ICHAT criminal background check prior to beginning their first field experience and thereafter as required by the Office of Educator Preparation Programs (OEPP). Placement sites may require additional background checks. In such cases, students still must submit an ICHAT to the OEPP office in EHS 421. Likewise, students or in-service teachers completing a clinical experience with a background check on file at their placement must also provide a background check to the OEPP.

Steps to print an ICHAT (background check):

  1. Visit the ICHAT Website
  2. Click on "Get Started" to create an ICHAT Account or log in to your existing account.
  3. Click on "Background Search" and enter your information (if your name has changed, please be sure to include this information by clicking “additional names”).
  4. Click "Submit".
  5. Click on the shopping cart to check out and pay the $10.00 fee.
  6. Click on "View Results" to check the results of your background check (This is the page that we ask our teacher education students to print for verification).
  7. Print multiple copies for your record and save the document on your computer as a backup.
  8. Upload a copy of your background check results to your clinical application DRF in Student Learning & Licensure (SLL) unless informed otherwise.

Need help accessing your background check? Please see the step-by-step guide.

ICHATs are valid for any course requiring a field component for one calendar year from the date it was run. Students participating in global experiences will be required to submit a current ICHAT.

ICHAT Website Background Check Guide

Legal considerations

If you have a legal issue you need to report or have any questions, please contact the  Office of Educator Preparation Programs to schedule a legal meeting. Please read the information below.

Admission to the Central Michigan University Teacher Education program does not guarantee certification by the State of Michigan. We cannot guarantee certification from the State of Michigan. Final approval of a teacher education candidate is granted by the Michigan Department of Education based on the policies and procedures current at the time certification is initiated.

A student who has any criminal conviction (misdemeanor or felony) in any state may adversely impact their own ability to obtain placement for required elements of the teacher preparation program. The teacher education program cannot guarantee any field placement, nor is it responsible for securing such placement if the inability to obtain such placement is related to any prior criminal matter.

Legal criteria

Pre-Admission to the teacher education program

A student applying for admission to the teacher education program with any current or pending criminal charges or convictions (misdemeanor or felony) inclusive of admissions of guilt, pleas of no contest, and the like, will be required to meet with the Associate Director of Professional Education. Additionally, if, during the course of a student’s enrollment at Central Michigan University, a student is charged with a crime, the student must immediately (within two business days) notify the Associate Director of Professional Education of the charges and will provide any and all information and records necessary for CMU to make an informed decision related to such charges.

A student who has been determined to be responsible for committing a felony (through conviction, admission of guilt, a plea of no contest, etc.), will likely not be admitted to or proceed through the teacher education program.

A student who has been convicted of more than two misdemeanors, will likely not be admitted to or proceed through the teacher education program.

A student applying for admission to the teacher education program with a criminal conviction and/or violation of Central Michigan University's Student Code of Conduct will immediately be placed on probation. A student placed on probation will be required to meet with the Associate Director of Professional Education and provide the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) and such other records or information as requested before the end of the first week of each academic semester until completion of the teacher education program.

After admission to the teacher education program

A student admitted into the teacher education program must report any charge/conviction or new charge/conviction or violations of Central Michigan University’s Student Code of Conduct (including a charge pending court date) within two business days. If a student fails to do so, or if a student misrepresents or falsifies any legal information, s/he will be subject to suspension, probation or removal from the teacher education program.

A student admitted into the teacher education program that receives or has criminal convictions and/or violations of Central Michigan University's Student Code of Conduct will be placed/continue on probation. A student on probation will be required to meet with the Associate Director of Professional Education and provide the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) and such other records or information as requested, before the end of the first week of each academic semester (separate from pre-student teaching and student teaching).

A student who has been determined to be responsible for committing a felony (through conviction, admission of guilt, a plea of no contest, etc.), will likely not be admitted to or proceed through the teacher education program.

A student who has been convicted of more than two misdemeanors, will likely not be admitted to or proceed through the teacher education program.

Any education student with a pending legal or Central Michigan University disciplinary issue will not be allowed to participate in any field experience until the legal or disciplinary issue has been closed and reviewed through the Office of Educator Preparation Programs.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any single criminal conviction or disciplinary violation is deemed to be sufficiently extreme, the Central Michigan University Teacher Education Program reserves the right to dismiss a student immediately.

These decisions are based upon the professional and ethical standards inherent in the Central Michigan University Teacher Education Program and the State of Michigan Teacher Code of Ethics, Truth, and Honesty Statement. This statement indicates that "Professional Educators uphold personal and professional integrity and behave in a trustworthy manner. A teacher education candidate is expected to adhere to acceptable social practices, current state law, state, and national student assessment guidelines, and exercise sound professional judgment."

Medical marijuana

Under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, as well as in compliance with State and Federal Law, Central Michigan University strictly prohibits the use and possession of federal and state illegal drugs both on campus and as part of any of its activities. It should also be noted that due to the University’s compliance with Federal law, Medical Marijuana possession or use is not permitted in any fashion.

Further, as the Michigan laws relate to Central Michigan University’s Teacher Education students who will be placed in the field as part of the program: Under MCL 333.26427(b)(2)(B) of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008: “(b) This act shall not permit any person to…..(2) Possess marijuana, or otherwise engage in the medical use of marijuana;….(B) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school;…”