Obtaining Your BCI

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What You'll Find Here

Provided are general directions, as FAQs, for obtaining a BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) through the RI Attorney General’s (AG) Office and how to upload your BCI to Anthology.

Obtaining a BCI Frequently Asked Questions

  • Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in FSEHD courses that include contact (in-person or virtual) with children, youth, or adults must complete a criminal background check (BCI) each year.
  • Students upload a copy of a current, clean BCI (no violations/offenses) in a secure section of Anthology.
  • School Psychology students may obtain the BCI directly through their district placement. A letter from the district documenting a clean BCI is acceptable.
  • BCIs are valid for one year from the date of issue. You must have a current, clean BCI uploaded to Anthology before entering a classroom or community space, virtually and/or face to face, whether observing, tutoring, teaching, or participating in any community activity.
  • If you are completing a field experience in Massachusetts, you may also be asked to obtain a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information).
  • You may need to take a copy of your BCI to field experience sites. This will depend on your placement and course requirements. Your course instructor can provide clarity on this process.
  • Pro Tip: It might be beneficial to complete your BCI each summer before the start of each academic year. Your BCI will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

All BCIs must be obtained from the RI Attorney General’s (AG) Office.

School Psychology students may obtain the BCI directly through their district placement. A letter from the district documenting a clean BCI is acceptable.

FSEHD students can get a BCI from the AG office in 1 of 3 ways:

  • in person (at the attorney general’s office)
  • via mail
  • by attending a FSEHD free BCI clinic

Payment

  • The AG’s office charges $5.00 to complete the BCI. Please check the website regarding payment. Please check the Attorney General’s website for updates.
  • If you attend a FSEHD free BCI clinic, you do not pay for the background check.

Do not upload your BCI to Anthology.

Email the FSEHD Associate Dean at fsehd@ric.edu) with your name, student ID number, program of study, and the course(s) requiring the BCI. The Associate Dean will reach out to schedule a meeting, where you will bring a copy of your current BCI and explain the underlying circumstances. The Associate Dean will discuss the implications of
your current BCI and the next steps.

Bring a valid form of identification. Acceptable identification includes:

  • valid state-issued driver’s license
  • valid state-issued identification card
  • valid US passport

You will receive the completed BCI while you are at the AG Office.

To request BCIs by mail, students must:

  • sign this release form (download here / descarga aqui) and have it notarized
  • include a copy of a valid form of photo identification – acceptable identification includes a valid state-issued driver’s license, valid state-issued identification card, or valid United States passport
  • include a check or money order for $5.00, payable to “BCI” – credit cards or cash not accepted by mail
  • include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return
  • mail to: Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General, 4 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920

To request BCIs at a FSEHD clinic, students must attend the clinic and:

  • sign this release form (download here / descarga aqui) and bring it to the clinic
  • bring a valid form of photo identification – acceptable identification includes a valid state-issued driver’s license, valid state-issued identification card, or valid United States passport
  • include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return

Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in FSEHD courses that include contact (in-person or virtual) with children, youth, or adults must complete a criminal background check (BCI) each year.

Students upload a copy of a current, clean BCI (no violations/offenses) in a secure section of Anthology.

Graduate students currently employed in the location of their placement are not required to submit a new BCI to the FSEHD. Students may obtain the BCI directly through their district. A letter from the district documenting a clean BCI is also acceptable.

How to Upload Your BCI to Anthology

To begin you need to upload your BCI as a .pdf or .jpeg file type. You will upload your BCI to the “BCI & PRAXIS II Scores” portfolio in Anthology. You only need to create one (1) "BCI & PRAXIS II Scores" Portfolio in Anthology. You will use this same portfolio to submit updated BCI's each year.

Setting Up Your BCI Portfolio – First Time

  1. Log into Anthology
  2. Click on “Menu”, then “Work”, and then “My Coursework”
  3. Click “New Portfolio” (the blue tab at the top of “My Portfolios” page)
  4. Name your Portfolio “BCI & PRAXIS II Scores” with your last name and first initial (example: “BCI & PRAXIS II Scores - KirkJT”)
  5. Click on “Table of Contents” and select the “BCI & PRAXIS II Scores” portfolio template from the dropdown menu
  6. Click “Create”
  7. Choose your program or FNED 101 or 246, depending on where you upload your BCI
  8. Click “Add Content”
  9. Click “Add File” and then “Insert Content Here”
  10. Select the files to be inserted
  11. Click “Insert Files” and the “Submit” button at the top of page
  12. Click “Submit” again; the assessor’s name should show up in the Assessor’s name box, and the Status tab in the top right corner will turn green and say submitted

Note: If you create your portfolio and are not ready to submit your BCI, save your portfolio and you can go back in to submit at another time.

Submitting Your BCI at Another Time

  1. Go to Dashboard
  2. Select “Portfolios”
  3. Click on “Go to My Portfolios”
  4. Click on the BCI portfolio you created
  5. Select “Edit Portfolio”
  6. Follow steps 7-12 of "Setting Up Your BCI Portfolio – First Time" directions, to upload your BCI

Submitting Your BCI Multiple Times

Based on the courses you are enrolled in, you may need a valid BCI for more than one course:

  • If the courses are in the same program, you only have to submit the BCI once.
  • If the courses are in different programs, you may be asked to submit the BCI in two places in Anthology.
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Questions? We Can Help!

Feinstein School of Education and Human Development

The Feinstein School administers and coordinates all professional education programs at Rhode Island College. We offer a range of programs, including early childhood, pre-K-12, counseling, school psychology, youth development and health and wellness.

Beth Pinheiro

Beth M. Pinheiro

Interim Associate Dean of the FSEHD