FAQ

Our application requirements are outlined in our application package. However: you should not submit the package until you receive the Department of Public Safety notice of denial or suspension.

You can download a copy of our application. If you have trouble downloading or printing the applicant, you can contact us to ask that we mail you a copy of the application form.

The Board applies the following criteria to the particular circumstances of your case and criminal history. By law, the Board must consider all of the criteria that appear in A.R.S. § 41–619.55(E).

You can use our case-status page to find out the status of your case. The Web site is updated every day at 5:00 p.m.
In addition, you may contact the Board staff. Under no circumstances should you contact Board members about your good cause exception application. To contact the Board staff, please see our Contact Us link at the bottom of the page.

The length of the process depends on a number of factors. However, from the time the Board receives a complete application package and the criminal records that we order from the DPS, the Board will conduct an expedited review within 20 days. (We normally receive the criminal records about seven to 10 days after we receive your application.)

If you believe your criminal history records are inaccurate, contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to challenge them. The Board almost always will assume that the information in your criminal history records is accurate. For charges that took place within Arizona, call DPS at (602) 223-2222 to challenge your record. For charges that took place outside of Arizona, call the FBI at (304) 625-5590.

In 2009, a new law went into effect that created two types of fingerprint clearance cards rather than just one type. Beginning on July 1, 2009, DPS began issuing Level I fingerprint clearance cards, in addition to the standard fingerprint clearance cards. There are more types of criminal charges that can cause a Level I card to be denied or suspended, so the Level I card is more restrictive and harder to get. Standard cards correspond, for the most part, with the fingerprint clearance card that existed prior to the legislative changes.

The following jobs or activities require a fingerprint clearance card. (Some of the activities require a Level I fingerprint clearance card. For more information, see the section on the difference between Level I and standard fingerprint clearance cards.)

**Please note that the Legislature periodically adds new programs to the fingerprint-clearance-card system, so this list may not be complete. Also, this list does not include programs that the Legislature may or will be adding to the fingerprint-clearance-card system but which have not yet been approved by the Legislature.

Probably not. Most agencies require an employee to be removed from the position immediately. However, the Board of Fingerprinting does not involve itself in employment-related issues. You should direct any questions to your employer.

A good cause exception is approval for an individual to receive a fingerprint clearance card despite his or her criminal history. If your fingerprint clearance card was denied or suspended, you normally need a good cause exception to get the fingerprint clearance card. To get a good cause exception, you must demonstrate that you are rehabilitated and not a recidivist (or, in a few cases, that you have not been convicted of an offense that would cause your fingerprint clearance card to be denied or suspended). The burden of demonstrating rehabilitation is on you, not the Board staff.