Criminal Background Checks for Licensure

3 V.S.A. § 123(j) grants Vermont the authority to inquire into the criminal backgrounds for several of our licensed professions. Please visit your profession’s webpage for profession specific information.

Please visit VCIC’s website for the most up to date information on fingerprint supported background checks.

OPR Process

Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Armed Private Investigators & Security Guards

• Complete the release form. This form is provided to you within your online SPECIALTY application and must be notarized and uploaded to your specialty application.
• Once OPR receives the release form, OPR will send you a signed authorization certificate (FAC) to complete and bring to your fingerprint appointment. This form will be sent by email.
• Once you receive the FAC, make an appointment with an Identification Center or local law enforcement agency.
• Once VCIC receives your fingerprints and signed authorization form, it can take 6-12 weeks for the results to be returned and processed.

Licensed Nurse Assistants (LNA), Advanced Practice Nurses (APRN), Real Estate Appraisers, and Physical Therapy

• Complete the release form. This form is provided to you within your online application. Upload within your application or post application, by logging in and selecting update license/application.
• Once OPR receives the release form, OPR will send you a signed authorization certificate (FAC) to complete and bring to your fingerprint appointment. This form will be sent by email.
• Once you receive the FAC, make an appointment with an Identification Center or local law enforcement agency.
• Once VCIC receives your fingerprints and signed authorization form, it can take 6-12 weeks for the results to be returned and processed.

Providing Fingerprints in Vermont

• Contact a Vermont Identification Center for an appointment. You may also contact a local law enforcement agency to inquire if they offer fingerprinting services as well.
• Make sure to bring your completed signed authorization form to your appointment. Most identification centers will submit this form to VCIC with your fingerprints.
  • If they require you to mail the fingerprint cards in, you must also bring a large envelope to seal the fingerprints in before leaving the Identification center. You are not allowed to leave the enforcement agency with open fingerprint cards. Completed fingerprint cards and signed authorization forms should be mailed to: Vermont Crime Information Center, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671

Providing Fingerprints While Outside of Vermont

• Please review the instructions from the Vermont Crime Information Center here.
• Contact a local law enforcement agency to inquire if they offer fingerprinting services
• Please ensure that all required documents are filled out completely.
• Fingerprint cards completed by agencies outside of Vermont must be submitted in an envelope sealed directly by the criminal justice agency taking the fingerprints. You must bring a large envelope to seal the fingerprints in before leaving the Identification center. You are not allowed to leave the enforcement agency with open fingerprint cards. Completed fingerprint cards and signed authorization forms should be mailed to: Vermont Crime Information Center, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671
• Applicant fingerprints should be printed on a standard FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Card. Generally, this will be provided by the agency taking your prints. If needed a template may be downloaded directly from the Federal Bureau of Investigation at: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/standard-fingerprint-form-fd-258-1.pdf/view

VCIC will not accept fingerprint cards from OPR. The applicant MUST send completed inked fingerprint cards and signed authorization forms to: Vermont Crime Information Center, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671

Access to Results

The results of a criminal background check are for the agency's (OPR's) use only. OPR is not permitted to disseminate or share without proper authority and documentation. If an individual would like a copy of their Vermont record, please contact VCIC for assistance. If an individual is looking for a copy of their FBI record, information concerning that process can be found here: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks