Security Badges and Background Checks
To assure the safety of students and staff, Cincinnati Public Schools requires security badges for anyone entering CPS' buildings.
CPS Background Checks Procedure - Board Policy No. 8475
One-time visitors receive a temporary security badge with a photo generated from the Lobby-Guard machine (pictured) in each building.
An individual who is in CPS' buildings or on the campuses on a regular basis must obtain a security badge. This includes student teachers, co-op students, interns (paid and unpaid), police in CPS' employ, consultants, contractors, vendors, volunteers, etc.
Background checks are required to receive these security badges, but the level of background check varies based on the person's contact with students.
Individuals who will not have unsupervised contact with students need only a local check. This usually is done in the county where the person has the most recent 5 years of continuous residence. There is a small fee for this check.
Information about security badges and background checks for consultants and volunteers can be found on the Security Badge Authorization Form.
In Hamilton County, background checks are performed at the Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, 45202, downtown Cincinnati. Some official form of picture identification, such as a State ID or driver's license, is required.
A local, state and federal background check is required for anyone who will have unsupervised contact with students. This includes the county's background check plus the state Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation (BCII) check, and a fingerprint check. The three-level background check is more expensive.
CPS will honor a police check by an employer, if the background check was performed within the last twelve months and is verified by CPS' Security Office, per Board policy No. 8475.
As required by state law, all CPS employees are required to have the full background check.
How to Obtain a Security Badge
- Bring the results of your local background check, or the receipt from your level 2 or 3 background check, to the Security Office in CPS' Education Center, 2651 Burnet Avenue, 45219, in Corryville.
- Security badges are issued on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Note: A background check obtained online is not acceptable.
