Know your FBI Identity History Summary before applying for nursing school

Do you know what’s on your criminal history record?

Don't let inaccurate or outdated information in your identity history hold you back in your nursing career. With a fingerprint-based FBI Identity Summary History (IdHS) check, you’ll find out if you have any blemishes on your record. It may be possible to have a disqualifying offense expunged from your record before applying for a nursing license.

Accurate Biometrics is a trusted resource with 18 years’ experience fingerprinting for nursing licensure. Unfortunately, we have seen graduating nursing students denied a nursing license because of an offense on their record.

Not long ago, a nursing student drove many miles to our corporate office in Illinois to get the results of an FBI IdHS check – a copy of her criminal history record on file with the FBI. This student had just completed her RN licensure program, and even had a nursing job waiting for her upon graduation. But when she applied for her nursing license, it was denied.

The student contacted Accurate Biometrics to find out why her license was denied. Through an FBI Departmental Order (556-73) she found out she had an “open” record in another state from a seemingly minor event that occurred years ago. She was denied a state nursing license because she had a disqualifying criminal record in another state that appeared on her FBI background check and prevented her from getting her professional nursing license.

If nursing students are concerned, it would benefit them to check the status of their criminal history record through a Departmental Order. A Departmental Order is the formal request for the IdHS report that allows you access to your criminal history on file with the FBI. No matter what state you seek licensing­ in, if the states requires a fingerprint-based background check, chances are high that your fingerprints will be also be run through the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database. The CJIS database maintains all criminal history activity reported by the states.

A fingerprint-based background check search will let you know if a disqualifying criminal conviction exists that would prevent you from being licensed in your profession. A name-based background check (the kind that doesn’t require fingerprinting) won’t give you complete and accurate results.

Accurate Biometrics is a direct FBI channeler. We have the expertise to help you navigate through the Departmental Order 556-73 process to ensure you have a clear record to work in the medical field. We currently process fingerprints for Illinois, Florida and California nurse licensure. We also accept out-of-state and international fingerprint cards for processing.

If something shows up in your criminal history background record, you may be able to apply to have it expunged. For state records, contact the headquarters or website of your state police for expungement information. If a record is expunged from a state record, it should also be removed from the FBI record. With a Departmental Order, you can follow-up and make sure that the record was removed from the FBI record.

To challenge the results of your FBI Identity History Summary, or rap sheet, contact the
the FBI’s CJIS Division, which is responsible for the storage of fingerprints and related IdHS record information. The CJIS does not have the authority to modify any IdHS record information unless specifically notified to do so by the agency that owns the information (usually the Court of Record where the charges were filed).

You can review options for requesting a change or correction at the FBI CJIS website:

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks#Challenge-of%20an%20Identity%20History%20Summary

We are happy to answer your questions. Contact us by way the most convenient for you:
866-361-9944 info@accuratebiometrics.com https://accuratebiometrics.com/by-mail Accurate Biometrics