Before participating in any field experience or clinical practice, students must complete the following:

  • EduRisk Training: Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct.
    Access this training through your MyBallState homepage by searching “EduRisk Training” and logging in with your Ball State student account.
    Important: You must complete the course using your student EduRisk account to allow OTES-CP to verify your training.

  • Background Check: A current Castle Branch expanded national criminal background check must be completed before entering a school site. These background checks expire each July and will need to be completed each academic year. 

Use the link provided below to access the official background check website. Do not access Castle Branch directly through an internet search, as OTES-CP will be unable to view your results, and your background check will be considered invalid.

Order Your Criminal Background Check

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Please note that this policy does not apply to student teachers.  Student teachers follow the school corporation employee criminal background check procedures.

About the Background Checks

The expanded national background check includes the following:

  • County criminal records search
  • Resident history verification
  • Social Security number alert search
  • National record indicator search
  • National sexual offender registry search

Note: Only one background check is required for this process. 

Criminal Background Check FACTS

  • Students cannot enter a school building without a valid background check.

  • Background checks are valid for one academic year (Fall through Summer Session II).

  • Please allow ten (10) business days for processing before results are available.

  • Ball State University cannot accept background checks from other vendors. All checks must be completed through the approved Castle Branch vendor to be considered valid.

Video Training

The EduRisk training can be accessed through your MyBallState homepage.

  1. Log in and search for “EduRisk Training.”

  2. Click on the search tool and search for “Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct.”

Note: As a Ball State student, you already have an EduRisk account—do not create a new one.