Fingerprinting is a required step in the background check process for many industries, as well as for those adopting or fostering children in Nevada. In some cases, you may need to undergo fingerprinting throughout your career, while in others, you may only need to undergo the process just once.
If you have been asked to get a fingerprint background check, you might be wondering how long it takes. The initial process of inking fingerprints, as well as modern techniques for live scans, won’t take up much of your time, though much can vary in terms of when you can expect results.
Those working in education, healthcare, law enforcement, and real estate should expect to undergo fingerprint background checks. If you are just starting your career, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the process and learn how long it may take for your background check to be complete.
Common Reasons for FBI Fingerprint Background Checks
For those changing jobs or just starting in certain fields, FBI fingerprint background checks are often required by employers prior to officially starting a role. If you have been given a job offer, it will be contingent upon passing employment background checks.
Those working with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities need to have their backgrounds thoroughly checked to protect the most vulnerable. Likewise, anyone who needs licensing or certifications for their career will need an FBI background check. Fingerprinting serves as the ultimate way to check on a potential employee’s credentials at the state and federal levels to ensure proper vetting has been fulfilled.
Types of Fingerprint Background Checks
One of the factors that will determine the length of time it takes to check your fingerprints is the fingerprinting method used. Ink fingerprinting is the traditional means for these background checks, though it does take longer. Live scan fingerprinting is quickly becoming more prevalent, and it speeds up the process significantly.
Ink Fingerprinting
Traditional ink fingerprinting generally takes longer to get results as it needs to be physically mailed and manually processed. Results for ink fingerprinting tend to take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on which agency is receiving your prints and their processing capacity.
Live Scan Fingerprinting
Live scan fingerprinting, which you can find at the Northwest Las Vegas Fingerprinting Office – Fingerprinting Express, is a much speedier process. On the state level, results usually come back within 1 to 7 days, though the majority tend to come back within 24 to 72 hours, barring any issues or delays.
FBI background checks typically take 3 to 5 days to process the results. Although FBI fingerprint background checks tend to be processed alongside state fingerprint checks, they may take slightly longer in some cases.
What Factors Can Affect the Processing Time for FBI Fingerprint Background Checks?
While these tests are fairly speedy, there are several factors that could potentially increase the turnaround time for FBI fingerprint results.
High Volume of Processing Requests
When the FBI or state agencies experience a high volume of fingerprint background check requests, particularly during peak hiring seasons, processing times tend to take longer.
Quality of the Fingerprints
There may also be issues with the quality of the fingerprints submitted. If your prints are smudged or were not fully captured on the livescan, they may be rejected. New fingerprints will be requested to complete the procedure, and this will add to the time it takes to complete the background check.
Criminal History Detected
Applicants who have a criminal history will take longer to process and additional reviews may be needed to make a determination.
What to Do If Your Fingerprint Background Check is Rejected
In Nevada, applicants whose fingerprint background checks are rejected will usually receive a notification through email to get a reprint done within 30 days. It can be concerning, especially if you know you do not have a criminal history, but you still must follow the right steps afterward.
If you get this notice, it will include instructions on the steps to take, which require you to get a new set of fingerprints done and submit them. You should go to an approved location that provides live scans, making sure to bring the Transaction Control Reference (TCR) number provided with your notice.
Fingerprints are often rejected if they are of poor quality, and dry or worn skin can easily lead to a reprint request. Make sure that you properly moisturize and care for your hands in the days before your second fingerprint scan.
If your second set of fingerprints is also rejected, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or the FBI will then issue a manual check. They will use your name, date of birth, and Social Security number to check your background for this process, which could take up to 10 weeks to complete.
While there is usually no fee for processing a reprint, you’ll want to avoid having to undergo the test again. It could hold you up from starting your new job, or worse, mean that the company will need to proceed without you, causing you to lose the offer.
Why Choose Live Scan Printing Over Ink Fingerprints
Many employers and job candidates are increasingly using live scan fingerprinting over ink prints as it is far more accurate. The ink-and-roll method of yester-year can easily smudge, leading to rejections and the need for deeper probing, even when a prospective employee has a clean record.
If you need to get your fingerprint background check sent to the FBI for scanning, choose the live scan to get an almost instant digital capture and transmission of your prints. It takes less time to process the background check as there is no need to mail paper cards.
Since the technology provides high-resolution imaging in real time, technicians can quickly verify the quality of the prints, reducing the chances for illegible submissions that are rejected. If time is a factor and you don’t want anything getting in the way of starting your new role, look for a live scan location to submit your fingerprint background check.
