Who Needs a Fingerprint Card in Arizona?
A fingerprint card is a means for an employer to verify the background of a potential employee for certain areas of employment including the broad categories of childcare, adoption, hospitals, etc.
When applying for a fingerprint clearance card the applicant must fill out an application form which can be obtained from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and pay a fee. Fingerprints are collected from the applicant and are run against state and federal criminal records in order to certify that the applicant is free of certain criminal offenses. If everything looks good, a fingerprint card will arrive in the mail approximately 1 – 2 months later. The card is valid for 6 years. The fee covers the initial criminal records research and also future periodic review of criminal records to be sure that status is up to date.
During the application and criminal record review process there are certain offenses that can preclude you from receiving a fingerprint card. These include a relatively wide range of items that can be found in A.R.S. 41-1758.07 and A.R.S. 41-1758.03 and which can be found at the link to the Arizona fingerprint clearance card site below. However, all may not be lost even if the applicants criminal background includes one of the listed offenses. Denials can be appealed and evidence of improvement or positive changes can be presented to demonstrate full rehabilitation. An attorney may be present at this hearing and can aid in securing the fingerprint card in such cases.
If you find yourself in need of a fingerprint card for the first time and need help through the process, or if you are ever arrested or convicted of a crime and have lost your fingerprint card, then please secure the services of a competent lawyer with expertise in this area to discuss possible options. For certain convictions you may still be able to regain your fingerprint card allowing you to again earn a living.
Link to the Arizona Department of Public Safety fingerprint clearance card site.