How to Get Your New Jersey Criminal History Clearance (OSP)

A step-by-step guide for HelloSubs substitutes and aides

To work in any New Jersey school through HelloSubs, the state requires you to clear a criminal history background check through the NJ Department of Education's Office of Student Protection (OSP). Your fingerprints are checked by the New Jersey State Police and the FBI, and OSP issues your approval. This guide walks you through every step.

You're applying under HelloSubs. When the application asks for your employer's county/district/contractor-vendor code, use the HelloSubs vendor code below. That's what connects your clearance to HelloSubs so it works at all of our partner schools.

Before you start

You'll need:

• The HelloSubs vendor code: [PENDING — HelloSubs OSP vendor code]
• Your Social Security number (the OSP system uses it to check your eligibility).
• A computer — OSP recommends a Microsoft browser (Edge). Don't use a phone or tablet.
• A card for payment. How much depends on your situation (see below) — between $5 and about $74 total.

Cost & reimbursement: You'll pay between $5 and about $74, depending on your path. HelloSubs reimburses your OSP and fingerprinting fees after you complete five (5) worked days — email your receipts to support@hellosubs.co and they are paid on the next applicable pay cycle. If you were offered a new-hire or fast-start bonus, that bonus covers these costs in place of reimbursement.

First: which application are you?

New Jersey has three paths, and picking the right one saves you time and money:

Step-by-step

1. Go to the Office of Student Protection page: https://www.nj.gov/education/crimhist/
2. Click "File Authorization and Make Electronic Payment."
3. Select your path: New Administration Fee Request, Archive Application Request, or Transfer Request.
4. Enter your Social Security number to confirm your eligibility.
5. Choose the job position — select SUBSTITUTE TEACHER (this matters: your substitute credential application requires the approval to show this exact position).
6. Complete the applicant information, entering the HelloSubs vendor code where the county/district/school/contractor code is requested.
7. Read and accept the Applicant Authorization and Certification (AA&C) terms.
8. Pay by card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, or Discover). Click "Make Payment" only once.
9. Print your payment confirmation — you'll want a copy for your records.
10. New Applicants only: schedule your fingerprint appointment with IdentoGO — the scheduling link appears after payment, or call 1-877-503-5981. The fingerprint fee (~$64) is paid to IdentoGO when you schedule. Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment.

After you're done

• About 2 weeks after fingerprinting (just a few days for Archive/Transfer), your approval posts online. Go to the OSP site and open "Applicant Approval Employment History" (AAEH): https://homeroom6.doe.nj.gov/chrs/app-emp-history
• Download and save your AAEH — this document is your proof of clearance, and it's the only background document New Jersey accepts for your substitute credential application.
• Upload your AAEH to your HelloSubs onboarding requirements in the app. We deliver it to your assigned schools so you're cleared to work.

Two things to know

• Timing matters for the credential. If you're also applying for the NJ Substitute Credential, your AAEH approval date must be within 5 months when you submit that application — so do this step first, then apply for the credential right away.
• Your clearance travels with you. Once you're approved under HelloSubs, that single clearance covers you at every school we place you in — no re-fingerprinting per school.

Need help?

Email support@hellosubs.co. We help subs through this all the time and we're glad to walk through it with you.