Fingerprints

You are required to complete and submit fingerprints.

Electronic Fingerprints


AZBN now offers electronic fingerprinting services for applicants who are physically in Arizona.*
*At this time there are no location partners outside of Arizona.

Registering for Electronic Fingerprints

  • Visit the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) website to register.
    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available.
  • Use the Fingerprint Code you received in the Nurse Portal Message Center.
  • After you create an account and provide additional information, you will be directed to a My Order page. On that page, you must select ‘SUBMIT AND PAY.’

    DO NOT select ‘Request Employer/Agency Pay*’ as doing so will delay the processing of your application.
    *If you select to request the agency pay, the request will be declined, and you will be redirected to self-pay. You must pay for your own electronic fingerprinting fee through DPS.

DPS Registration Instructions (Step-by-step)

FD-258 Fingerprint Card


The only fingerprint card accepted is the FD-258 Blue & White Applicant cards. If you contact us, we will mail you a FD-258 card.

If you initially selected to complete your fingerprinting electronically and decide instead to complete the FD-258 Card, you must complete the Supplemental/Physical Paper form and pay the fees BEFORE sending the completed FD-258 card to us.

Submitting a completed card

Return the completed FD-258 fingerprint card in a large envelope to:

Arizona State Board of Nursing
1740 W Adams Street, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Do not fold the fingerprint card!

NOTES

If you have had previous fingerprinting done with another agency, you must still submit a new set of fingerprints to AZBN.

  • A copy of a clearance card issued by DPS is not a substitute for this requirement.

If you have previously paid the fingerprint fee to the Arizona State Board of Nursing within the past 2 years, you will not need to submit fingerprints again.


Where do I obtain fingerprinting services?

Call your local police department, sheriff’s office or check for names of private agencies where you can obtain fingerprints. (The agency you use must validate your identification with a driver’s license or a State issued ID. The agency will provide the fingerprint card for you to use.)

Fingerprints done by an applicant on themselves will NOT be accepted and will delay processing time.

How to complete the fingerprint card

  • Type or print legibly, in BLACK INK.
  • Stay within the blocks – DO NOT OVERLAP THE BLUE LINES.
  • Your name on the card must match the name on your application.
  • No more than one correction paper tab per fingerprint block (where prints are rolled).
  • No writing in the fingerprint block except “amp” (amputated) or “bnd” (finger bandaged).
  • No staples anywhere on the card.
  • Do not use “Best Prints Possible” stamp on the card.

Card Abbreviations

Use the abbreviations listed below for the physical description items.
Abbreviation Definition
RESIDENCE Enter your residential address, not your mailing address (unless they are the same).
ALIASES/AKA Enter any aliases used, including maiden name.
PLACE OF BIRTH Enter the two letter state abbreviation or spell out a foreign country.
SEX F = Female                            M = Male
RACE

A = Asian/Pacific Islander          B = Black
I = American Indian/Alaskan Indian
U = Unknown          W = White or Hispanic

HEIGHT (HGT) Express in feet and inches. Do not use fractions of an inch; round off to the nearest inch. EX: 5’9”. DO NOT USE METRIC SYSTEM.
WEIGHT (WGT) Express in pounds. Do not use fractions of a pound; round off to the nearest pound. EX: 139 lb. DO NOT USE METRIC SYSTEM
EYE COLOR

BLK = Black        BRN = Brown       GRN = Green     
GRY = Gray         HZL = Hazel        MAR = Maroon
BLU = Blue          PNK = Pink          MUL = Multicolored  
XXX = Unknown

HAIR COLOR

BLK = Black        BRN = Brown       GRY = Gray         
SDY = Sandy      RED = Red or Auburn     
BLN = Blonde or “strawberry” WHI = White       
PNK = Pink        PLE = Purple         ONG = Orange      BLU = Blue
XXX = Unknown or completely bald

Processing time

Processing of the card takes approximately 8-12 weeks. An incomplete or folded fingerprint card will be returned and will delay processing.

Delays will also occur if:

  • The information you printed overlaps the borders of the block.
  • The fingerprint card is returned by DPS/FBI because the fingerprints are not legible.
  • No application has been submitted or no payment received.

No permanent license/certificate will be issued until both state and federal criminal history clearance has been received.

Fingerprinting authority

A.R.S. section § 32-1606, & A.R.S. § 32-1646 of the Nurse Practice Act authorizes the Board to deny licensure/certification based on felony conviction(s). Fingerprints are required in order for DPS/FBI to conduct background checks for criminal convictions.

Applicant Record Notification

Your fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FBI.

If you have a criminal history record, the officials making a 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 records.

Applicant Review and Challenge

  • Arizona Criminal History Record:
    • Contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Criminal History Records Unit at (602) 223-2222 to obtain a fingerprint card, copy of your criminal history record, a Review and Challenge packet, or you can download the information from the Criminal History Records Unit section of the AZ DPS website. The Arizona Department of Public Safety provides the Review and Challenge packet pursuant to R13-1-08 of the Arizona Administrative Code.
  • FBI Criminal History Record:
    • Contact the FBI at (304) 625-5590 to request a copy of your criminal history record, update, and/or challenge the content of the record. Submittal forms, checklists and more information on how to Review and Challenge an FBI criminal history record can be found at on the FBI website. You must submit fingerprints, an applicant information form, and payment directly to the FBI according to the procedures in Title 28 Code of Federal Regulations §16.30-16.34.

Why fingerprints are rejected

  1. Highlighter on the fingerprint image blocks. (The scanners cannot read the information.)
  2. The fingerprint image bleeds onto the blue line or overlaps the borders of that block. (The scanners cannot pick up the entire image.)
  3. If there is more than one tab per fingerprint block.
  4. If the first print on a finger was bad, a tab maybe be placed on the card and the print retaken. However, if the second print is also bad a new card must be completed.
  5. Writing in the fingerprint blocks. Exception: amputated (amp) or finger bandaged (bnd).
  6. Staples anywhere on the card.
  7. The fingerprint image is illegible.
  8. “Best Prints Possible” stamp is on the card.
  9. The fingerprints are not straight up and down on the card.
  10. The card has been folded or bent.

FBI Privacy Act Statement

As an applicant who is the subject of a national fingerprint-based criminal history record check for a noncriminal justice purpose (such as an application for employment or a license, an immigration or naturalization matter, security clearance, or adoption), you have certain rights which are discussed below. All notices must be provided to you in writing. 1 These obligations are pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 552a, and Title 28 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 50.12, among other authorities.

Guidelines for Required FBI Notifications of Applicant Privacy Rights

Agencies which submit fingerprints to receive FBI criminal history records are required to make certain notifications to applicants who are fingerprinted for noncriminal justice purposes. All applicants must be advised of this and in writing PRIOR to submitting the fingerprint card to the FBI (via DPS), not just those who dispute an employment and/or a license denial.