These Frequently Asked Questions are divided into the following sections:
Establishing an Account
Appointments and Checks (for Grantees Requesting Checks)
Appointments and Checks (for Individuals Receiving Checks)
Results
- How does an individual schedule an appointment to have fingerprints collected?
To begin, go to www.fieldprintCNCS.com and click "Schedule an Appointment." You are then prompted to create a username and password. Then, you are required to enter personal and demographic information needed for the check. From there, you are able to schedule an appointment at a location, date and time most convenient for you. You will need a "Fieldprint Code" provided by the organization to which you are applying to complete this process. Contact the organization to obtain this code if you do not already have it.
- If an individual has been fingerprinted several times in the past, are you able to use those prints?
No. Previously collected fingerprints are not retrievable or transferable from other state or federal agencies. It is required to have a new set of fingerprints collected.
- Do individuals getting checked need to schedule an appointment?
Yes, an appointment is required to be fingerprinted. Walk-ins are not accepted.
- How long will a fingerprinting appointment take?
A fingerprinting appointment will take approximately 5-10 minutes. Our trained technicians will look up the individual's appointment information, verify your two forms of identification, and collect the individual's fingerprints. It's that quick and easy!
- What is the difference between Livescan fingerprints and print cards?
Livescan fingerprints are captured electronically by a digital fingerprint scanner and a trained technician. Fingerprints captured via Livescan allow for a much faster and more accurate fingerprint collection process. Prints can be transmitted electronically to drastically reduce processing time, as well as provide a much higher quality of print collection to significantly reduce rejections, or fingerprints that cannot be "read" by the FBI's automated fingerprint information system. Fieldprint Inc. has the largest network of Livescan collection sites in the country, with coverage in all 50 states plus Washington D.C.
- Do I have to submit fingerprints on cards provided by Fieldprint for name-based checks?
Yes. To ensure chain of custody, only printcards issued and barcoded by Fieldprint will be accepted. If you need replacement printcards, please contact Fieldprint Customer Service Toll-free at (877) 614-4364. If you submit unauthorized printcards, Fieldprint customer service will contact you to inform you that new prints must be taken and will send you the appropriate barcoded printcards. Cards are provided at no cost to you. Fees may apply for fingerprinting services.
- What if a Livescan site is not located close to someone getting checked?
While Fieldprint maintains the largest Livescan fingerprint collection site network in the country, there may be instances where there is not a Livescan site close to a person receiving a check. In these cases, the Fieldprint scheduling system offers a nearby non-Livescan location and provides the person with all the materials they will need to be checked in these sites. Additional fees may apply in these cases.
- What personal information does an individual need to schedule an appointment?
The FBI requires the following demographic information to conduct a fingerprint-based background check:
- Name
- Alias (if any)
- Country of Citizenship
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- City & State of Birth
- Sex/Gender
- Race
- Height
- Weight
- Eye Color
- Hair Color
- Home Address
- Work/Office Address
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Does an individual getting checked need an email address?
Yes. An email address is required to schedule an appointment and view results. If you are scheduling an appointment and do not have an email address, contact the organization that has directed you to Fieldprint for assistance.
- How is personal information protected during the fingerprinting process?
Fieldprint, Inc. is committed to safeguarding the privacy of the data we receive and process. For more in depth information regarding our privacy practices, please view our Privacy Policy that is published on our website.
- What does an individual need to bring to a fingerprinting appointment?
- Two (2) forms of identification, at least one (1) of which must be a valid government-issued photo ID
- Your Registration number, which is provided after you have scheduled your appointment.
- What types of ID are accepted?
Acceptable Primary IDs include:
- State-Issued driver's license
- State-Issued non-driver identity
- U.S. Passport
- Military Identification Card
- Work Visa w/ Photo
- Foreign Passport
- DOD Common Access Card
- Foreign Driver's License
Acceptable Secondary IDs include:
- Bank Statement/Paycheck Stub
- Utility Bill
- Credit Card/Debit Card
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- School ID w/ Photograph
- Vehicle Registration/Title
- Voter Registration Card
- Draft Record
- Social Security Card
- Transportation Worker ID Credential (TWIC Card)
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Native American tribal document
- Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
- What if an individual fails to show up for an appointment, or cancels in less than 24 hours?
If an individual does not show up for an appointment, or cancels an appointment less than 24 hours of the scheduled date and time, the organization will be charged a rescheduling fee of $16.50.
- What happens if an individual's fingerprints are rejected or considered illegible?
While Livescan fingerprint collection process is very good at recording all of the details of most individuals' fingerprints, there are always cases where an individual fingerprint file cannot be "read" by the FBI's automated fingerprint information system. In these cases, Fieldprint notifies the individual and reschedules a fingerprint collection at no cost if the fingerprints were collected at a Livescan location. If the fingerprints were collected at a non-Livescan location, additional fees may apply. After two failed attempts to run a fingerprint-based check, a name-based check of the FBI's criminal history information will be run instead.
- My fingerprints were rejected twice and I've been waiting on my name-based check. Should I be concerned it's taking a long time to receive the results?
No, name-based checks are typically processed in 4-6 weeks. After two failed attempts to run a fingerprint-based check, a name-based check of the FBI's criminal history information will be run instead. If fingerprints are rejected, Fieldprint will notify the individual and reschedule a fingerprint collection at no cost, if the fingerprints were collected at a Livescan location. If the fingerprints were collected at a non-Livescan location, additional fees may apply. The FBI typically takes 4-6 weeks to return the results to Fieldprint.
- How does an individual obtain the results of a fingerprint-based background check?
Applicants will receive an email notification when the results are ready to view with instructions on how to access the results. Results will simply indicate if the individual checked has cleared or not cleared the check. See below for more information on interpreting these results.
- How does an organization obtain the results of a fingerprint-based background check?
Organizations will receive an email notification when the results are ready to view with instructions on how to access the results. Results will simply indicate if the individual checked has cleared or not cleared the check. See below for more information on interpreting these results.
- How long does it take to receive results?
Results are typically received within one to five business days.
- In what circumstances is someone ineligible to work or serve in an AmeriCorps-funded program? How does this check relate to that criteria?
The following categories of individuals are ineligible to serve or work in an AmeriCorps-funded program:
- Anyone listed, or required to be listed, on a sex offender registry,
- Anyone convicted of murder,
- Anyone who makes a false statement in connection with an organization's inquiry concerning his or her criminal history, and
- Anyone who refuses to undergo a criminal history check.
The FBI Criminal History Record Information is reviewed to identify charges of murder, crimes related to sex offenses, or crimes of neglect, cruelty, or endangerment. (See next question).
- What is FBI Criminal History Record Information?
FBI Criminal History Record Information is the result of a fingerprint-based criminal records check conducted through the FBI's automated fingerprint information system. This report contains what is often referred to as a "rap sheet" or a listing of information retained by the FBI in connection to arrest information, such as agency name, date of arrest, the arrest charge, and the disposition of the arrest, if known by the FBI.
- Where can I find more information about AmeriCorps' criminal history check requirements?
More information about these requirements is available at https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check. This webpage provides links directly to the requirements at 42 USC 12645g and 45 CFR 2540.200-207, and several additional explanatory documents. If you are a grantee of AmeriCorps directly, contact your AmeriCorps Program Officer for further information. If you are a grantee of an organization other than AmeriCorps, contact the grant making organization for further information.
- What does a "Cleared" recommendation indicate?
A "Cleared" recommendation confirms that the FBI Criminal History Record Information does not contain any information to indicate that the individual has been convicted of murder, crimes related to sex offenses, or crimes of neglect, cruelty, or endangerment.
Please note the following important points:
- A "CLEARED" recommendation does not mean that an individual has no criminal record. For example, an individual convicted of manslaughter, attempted murder, fraud, domestic violence, theft, or driving under the influence may receive a "CLEARED" recommendation.
- This recommendation is not a statement of suitability to serve with a particular organization. An organization may conduct additional criminal history screening beyond what is required by AmeriCorps (45 CFR 2540.200-207).
- An FBI check alone is never enough to be compliant with the criminal history check requirements. Grantees must conduct the other required components of the criminal history check process on time to confirm eligibility and to avoid cost disallowance. See "Where can I find more information about AmeriCorps' criminal history check requirements?" to find more information about these other requirements.
- What could lead to an individual receiving a "Not Cleared" recommendation?
Any of the following situations will lead to a "Not Cleared" recommendation:
- An individual's FBI Criminal History Record Information indicates that he or she has been convicted of murder. Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought (18 USC 1111). Offenses that result in the death of an individual such as manslaughter or vehicular homicide are not murder. Attempts or conspiracies to commit murder are not murder.
- An individual's FBI Criminal History Record Information indicates he or she is required to be registered as a sex offender.
- An individual's FBI Criminal History Record Information indicates that he or she has been convicted of a crime that may involve a sex offense, or a crime of neglect, cruelty, or endangerment. A "sex offense" is any offense that is, by its nature, sexual. Sexual assault, rape, lewd or lascivious acts, indecent child contact, solicitation, and other related offenses are examples of sexual offenses. "A crime of neglect, cruelty or endangerment" is a crime that involves the willful or unreasonable endangerment or abuse of individuals or animals. Kidnapping, abuse of a child, neglect or abandonment, and exploitation of an elderly person are examples of crimes of neglect, cruelty or endangerment.
- An individual's FBI Criminal History Record Information contains a charge for either murder or a crime that may involve a sex offense, or a crime of neglect, cruelty, or endangerment without clearly indicating that the individual was not convicted of that charge.
- Are there any situations where an individual would not be cleared where that individual is actually eligible for work or service?
Yes. There are three situations when someone who is actually eligible to work or serve would receive a "Not Cleared" recommendation:
- The individual's FBI Criminal History Record Information may contain a factual error.
- The individual may have been convicted of an offense that relates to a sex offense or a crime of neglect, cruelty or endangerment, but did not actually result in a requirement to register as a sex offender. To ensure safety, Fieldprint will make its best effort to return a "Not Cleared" recommendation for a broad array of crimes associated with sex offenses or crimes of neglect, cruelty or endangerment. Individuals may receive a "Not Cleared" recommendation for any crime related to sex offenses or neglect, cruelty or endangerment, even though those offenses do not always result in a requirement to register as a sex offender. In these cases, an individual could be eligible to work or serve in an AmeriCorps-funded program.
- The individual's FBI Criminal History Record Information may contain a charge for a potentially disqualifying offense without clearly indicating that the individual was convicted of that offense. The final outcome of the case may not be noted, or it may not be clear if the final outcome was that the individual was convicted. In these cases, the individual could still be eligible to work or serve.
- I am an individual applicant that received a "Not Cleared" recommendation, but I believe I am actually eligible for work or service. What should I do?
You have 45 calendar days to challenge the factual accuracy of the result. First, contact your selecting organization to indicate that you believe you are eligible and explain why you believe that is the case. Next, review the document “Challenging a Not Cleared Recommendation” located under the NSCHC Guidance section at this address: https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check. This document will provide more information on Not Cleared recommendations and explain how you can obtain a copy of your own FBI Criminal History Record Information for review. Finally, you may demonstrate your eligibility to the selecting organization. Note that organizations may choose not to select an individual even though he or she is statutorily eligible to serve, based upon their own standards for selection.
- An applicant to my organization has received a "Not Cleared" recommendation, and he or she says they are actually eligible. What should I do?
You must provide applicants an opportunity to challenge the factual accuracy of the results. You must allow applicants 45 calendar days from the date of the recommendation to begin this process. Review the document “Challenging a Not Cleared Recommendation” located under the NSCHC Guidance section at this address:https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check, for more information on Not Cleared recommendations and how you can work with applicants to resolve this situation.
The criminal history check requirements determine an individual's eligibility to serve in a covered position. Whether an individual is fit to work or serve with a selecting organization is a matter of discretion for the selecting organization, even though an individual may otherwise be eligible. Selecting organizations have a right and a duty to exercise their discretion in a manner that promotes a safe and effective program, mindful of state and federal nondiscrimination laws.
