Fingerprint Clearance Card

The Applicant Clearance Card Team (ACCT) is located in the DPS Public Service Center at 2222 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85009.

The only difference is when your fingerprints are taken. 

Once an applicant’s fingerprints have been taken for a Regular (Non-IVP) paper application the technician is able to return the completed fingerprint card to the applicant for delivery to DPS, along with the application and fee for processing.

For an IVP paper application, the statutes on the application require the submission of “Identity Verified Prints” (IVP) pursuant to ARS § 15-106 which reads in part:

…The law enforcement agency, school district, charter school or other entity shall verify the identity of the applicant through recognized means of photographic identification and a comparison of the demographic information on the photographic identification against the demographic information on the application form and the fingerprint card. The authorized person taking the fingerprints shall enter on the application form a description of the photographic identification presented by the applicant. The law enforcement agency, school district, charter school or other entity shall place the completed fingerprint card, the completed application form or any other form required by the department of public safety and the fee provided by the applicant in the postage prepaid envelope provided by the department of public safety and mail it to the fingerprinting division in the department of public safety…

This means the technician taking the fingerprints must not break the chain of custody by giving the fingerprints back to the applicant, but must mail the fingerprint card directly to DPS, along with the application and fee, in the provided blue DPS return envelope.

NOTE: If you submit an electronic application, either a Regular (Non-IVP) or an IVP application, your fingerprints will be submitted to DPS electronically.

The same background check is done for both the Regular (Non-IVP) and IVP application. 

There are some offenses listed in ARS § 41-1758.07(B) that preclude a Level One (IVP or non-IVP) Card from being issued but would allow a Regular (IVP or non-IVP) Card to be issued. 

Pursuant to ARS §§ 41-1758.03(D) and 41-1758.07(D), or ARS § 41-1758.04(D), DPS is required to issue either a Regular or Level One Driving Restricted Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Both ARS §§ 41-1758.03(D) and 41-1758.07(D) state in part:

A person who is awaiting trial on or who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a misdemeanor violation of ARS §§ 28-1381, 28-1382 or 28-1383 in this state or the same or a similar offense in another state or jurisdiction within five years from the date of applying for a … Fingerprint Clearance Card is precluded from driving any vehicle to transport employees or clients of the employing agency as part of the person's employment. Statutes mandate a notation be placed on the Fingerprint Clearance Card that indicates this driving restriction. This does not preclude a person from driving a vehicle alone as part of the person's employment. 

There are two ways to apply:

1. Submit an Electronic Application - Regular (Non-IVP) or IVP:

To apply electronically, click the "Apply for a Card" tab.

· NOTE: If you need to submit an IVP Renewal Application, you can still apply electronically. On the "Reasons" page, be sure you select one of the two IVP Renewal Options on the dropdown menu. In lieu of setting up an appointment to be fingerprinted, you will be required to provide the IVP # that is on the front of your current card.

2. Submit a Paper Application - Regular (Non-IVP) or IVP:

· To obtain a paper application, call the Applicant Clearance Card Team at (602) 223-2279 and request one be mailed to you, or you can pick up an application at the DPS Public Service Center at 2222 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85009. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm (closed on all state holidays).

· You may be able to obtain a paper application from your employer or agency. 

· You can also download an application from our website, however, it is not a complete packet as it does not include a fingerprint card nor the return envelope.

No. DPS does not provide fingerprinting for the public for this purpose. For fingerprinting services, it is recommended you contact your local police department or a professional fingerprinting service. 

Paper Application - Regular (Non-IVP) or IVP:

For applicants with no criminal history record, the processing time is currently less than ten days. Please note, this average is subject to change at any time (can increase or decrease) depending upon the number of applications received by DPS.

For applicants with a criminal history record (which will require research by DPS), the processing time averages up to 30 business days. Please note, this average is subject to change (can increase or decrease) depending upon the number of applications received by DPS.

Electronic Application - Regular (Non-IVP) or IVP:

For applicants with no criminal history record the average processing time is currently less than two days. Please note, this average is subject to change at any time (can increase or decrease) depending upon the number of applications received by DPS.

For applicants with a criminal history record (which will require research by DPS), the processing time currently averages up to 30 business days. Please note, this average is subject to change at any time (can increase or decrease) depending upon the number of applications received by DPS.

*Processing times are as of 12/31/2017

Your fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the state of Arizona and of the FBI. DPS and the FBI may retain your fingerprints and associated information after the completion of this application and, while retained, your fingerprints may continue to be compared against other fingerprints, including latent fingerprints submitted to or retained by DPS and the FBI.

If you have a criminal history record, the officials making the determination of your suitability for the job, license, or other benefit must provide you the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in the record. You should be afforded a reasonable amount of time to correct or complete the record (or decline to do so) before officials deny you the job, license, or other benefit based on information in the criminal history record.

The procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or updating of your FBI criminal history record are set forth in Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sections 16.30 through 16.34. Information on how to review and challenge your FBI criminal history record can be found at www.fbi.gov, under Criminal History Summary Checks, or by calling (304) 625-5590.

To obtain a copy of your Arizona criminal history record to review, update or correct, you can contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety Criminal History Records Unit at (602) 223-2222 or visit here to obtain a Review and/or Challenge packet.

In accordance with ARS §§ 41-1750(A)(2) and 41-1758 et seq., the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Applicant Clearance Card Team conducts fingerprint-based criminal history record checks and exchanges the fingerprint data with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Further, as required by ARS §§ 41-1750(G)(3) & 41-1758.03(F), 41-1758.07(F), DPS releases an applicant’s criminal history record to the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting upon the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting’s request, for the purpose of conducting good cause exception hearings.

No. DPS cannot pre-screen an applicant. DPS cannot determine if an applicant is eligible for a Fingerprint Clearance Card until the fingerprint-based state and federal background results are received and reviewed. 

· Precluding offenses for a Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card are listed in ARS § 41-1758.07 subsections B and C.

· Precluding offenses for a Regular Fingerprint Clearance Card are listed ARS § 41-1758.03 subsections B and C.

DPS cannot send an email or fax to an employer regarding the status of an application or to verify a clearance card is valid. The employer will need to use one of the options noted under the FAQ "HOW AND WHEN CAN I CHECK THE STATUS OF AN APPLICATION?" or "HOW CAN I CHECK TO SEE IF A FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD IS VALID?".

If you provided a valid email address when you submitted your application, you will receive an email once your application is entered into the DPS database, advising you that your application is in process. DPS cannot send a fax with this information. If you did not provide an email address, you will need to use one of the options noted above to check the status of your application or to verify that your card is valid. 

How:

· You can check the status of an electronic or paper application (application number is required) online: Fingerprint Clearance Card/Application Status

· You can also check the status by calling (602) 223-2279. Based on the number of callers ahead of you, you may experience a wait time. 

When:

· The status of a paper application will not be available online, or if you call, until it has been entered into the DPS database. How long before it is entered will vary daily based on mail transport time and the volume of applications received by DPS. No specific time frame can be provided. 

· For electronic applications, allow approximately 24-48 hours (could possibly take longer) after you have been fingerprinted for the status to be available online.

You can check the status of an electronic or paper application (application number is required) by:

· Online: Fingerprint Clearance Card/Application Status

· Calling (602) 223-2279. Based on the number of callers ahead of you, you may experience a wait time.

· Faxing an Applicant Clearance Card Team (ACCT) status request form* to (602) 223-2947. A response from the ACCT could take several days depending on the volume of requests received. 

*If you need an ACCT request form, call (602) 223-2279.

Yes. The only way DPS will know if your address changes is if you contact DPS directly. It is imperative you contact DPS with your current address to ensure you receive any correspondence concerning your application.

No. A photocopy of a Fingerprint Clearance Card or the Card itself is not proof that it is a valid card. As an employer, you will need to either check the status online or contact DPS (see FAQ "HOW CAN I CHECK TO SEE IF A FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD IS VALID?") to determine if the person has a valid card. 

If the person only provides a photocopy they should request a replacement of their Fingerprint Clearance Card (see FAQ “HOW MAY I OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT OF MY FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR MY NAME CHANGES?”).

You will need to submit a Fingerprint Clearance Card Replacement Request form. The form may be obtained by one of three ways:

· Online - Print the form found on the Card Replacement Request Tab. The completed form must then be mailed to DPS with the required $5.00 in the form of a cashier’s check, money order or check drawn on a business account.

· By Phone - You may call (602) 223-2279 and request the form be mailed to you. The completed form must then be mailed to DPS with the required $5.00 in the form of a cashier’s check, money order or check drawn on a business account.

· By Fax - You may fax a written request for the form to (602) 223-2947. Include your full name, address, telephone number, and card number in your request. The completed form must then be mailed to DPS with the required $5.00 in the form of a cashier’s check, money order or check drawn on a business account.

A Fingerprint Clearance Card is valid for six (6) years. 

DPS recommends renewal application be submitted approximately six months prior to the current card expiration. This will allow for adequate processing time as well as any issues or concerns that may arise in the process.

· If the front of your card contains an IVP #, you do not have to submit fingerprints with your renewal application. DPS has your fingerprints stored electronically. Be sure to note the IVP# that is on your card in the space provided on the paper application form or on the electronic form. Without this information, your application cannot be processed. Please note: it may be possible the FBI will reject the fingerprints DPS has on file due to the quality, so you may have to be reprinted for the FBI.

· If on the front of the card, after IVP#, it says “See back of card” you will need to submit fingerprints with your renewal application because the fingerprints submitted with your prior application were not of sufficient quality to be stored electronically. 

Depending on the offense or offenses for which you were denied, you MAY be eligible to pursue a good cause exception through the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting. The Board of Fingerprinting is a separate state agency from DPS. Therefore, DPS is not authorized to respond to any questions you may have regarding the good cause exception process. The Board of Fingerprinting’s contact information will be included in the DPS denial notice. For more information regarding the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting, please visit their website.

Information on how a Fingerprint Clearance Card can be reactivated is provided in the DPS suspension notice that is sent when the card is suspended.

Yes. Call (602) 223-2279 and ask to speak to the person that sent the letter or email the Applicant Clearance Card Team at [email protected] (be sure to provide your full name, application number, and date of birth). A copy of the letter will be mailed to you via US Mail.  Due to the confidential criminal history information contained in the letter, it cannot be faxed or sent via email. 

No. The DPS Applicant Clearance Card Team does not provide blank applicant fingerprint cards for any other purpose than applications. You can contact the FBI to see if they can provide them to you or find a vendor that carries Applicant FD-258 Fingerprint Cards.