Criminal Background Check

There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Steps to obtain the FBI Background Check report:

1.    Contact your local state police post, sheriff's department or UPS store to determine if they will fingerprint you for personal review and if they have the fingerprint cards.  Cards can be printed from the FBI's website.

2.    Forward your completed fingerprint card to the FBI, along with a letter requesting the FBI complete a background check for personal review, and an $18 certified check or money order payable to the Treasury of the United States.  If all items are not correct your request will be returned to you by the FBI.  BE SURE to obtain proof of mailing from the postal service or other delivery service.  The U.S. Postal Service offers a certificate of mailing for $1.15.  You will need a copy of the proof of mailing if you use the optional affidavit process.  It is suggested that you send your information next day air, include a date on the request as to when you need the report back and include a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Justice of Information Services Division
SCU MOD D2
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV  26306
(304) 625-3878

The process can take up to sixteen (16) weeks.  It is important that you send off for this report as soon as possible and be aware of deadlines and expiration dates.  The FBI report expires six (6) months from the date it was generated.

If your FBI report is not received by the time you are ready to apply, you may be able to use the optional affidavit process to obtain your license while you are waiting for the FBI report.  Please review the information regarding the optional affidavit process.

Once you receive the report, you must:

·         Attach it to your application and other required paperwork to submit to the Commission to apply for your license; or

·         If you filed the optional affidavit and received your license, then you should immediately send the report to the Commission indicating that this paperwork completes your application/license file.

FAQ's - Criminal Background Check

Do I have to request my FBI report before I take the exam?  Yes.

Do I have to wait for my FBI report to take the exam?  As long as you have sent your request to the FBI and have completed your courses, you may take the exam.

What if my request is returned to me because my prints are unreadable?  Complete the unreadable print affidavit.  Attach the affidavit and an AOC report to the notice from the FBI and submit all items to the Commission's office with your application.

If this occurs after you have filed the optional affidavit, you should complete the unreadable print affidavit.  Send the notice from the FBI and the affidavit to the Commission with a note that the information should be filed with your original application and optional affidavit.

What if my report shows convictions and or charges?  Your report will be submitted to the Commission’s Legal Department for review. 

What happens if my information is sent to legal for review?  The Commission's Legal Department may request that you provide appropriate state background reports and other documents necessary to review the matter.  Depending on the circumstances and nature of the charges/convictions, the Legal Department may need to investigate the matter further. You may also be required to appear before the Commission to explain the circumstances related to the charges.  This process can take sixty (60) to ninety (90) days depending on many different factors.

Important Notes

The AOC report does not replace the FBI report - An FBI report is always required.  It must be requested prior to taking the exam.  Unless the applicant is able to utilize the optional affidavit process, the report must be filed with the application.  If the applicant utilizes the optional affidavit process, the report must be filed with the Commission as soon as the report is received.  The FBI report must be submitted to the Commission within one hundred eighty (180) days of licensure.

Do not delay in requesting your FBI report - The FBI process can take up to sixteen (16) weeks.  All exam candidates must apply for their license within sixty (60) days of passing the exam.  It will be imperative that you pay close attention to time frames and deadlines to ensure you are in compliance.

Do not delay applying for the license - FBI reports expire six (6) months from the date they are issued.  The exam results expire sixty (60) days from the date of the exam.  It will be imperative that you pay close attention to time frames and deadlines to ensure you are in compliance.

Keep copies and records of mailings - Be sure to retain a copy of all items for your personal records.  The items you are submitting with your application are important documents.  It will require time and expense to retrieve new ones.  The Commission willo not accept copies of reports completed for another agency.  Your original report will become a part of your permanent licensing file.  Be sure to obtain a proof of mailing when you send the request to the FBI.