Frequently Asked Questions

Fingerprint Process

General Questions
Incomplete or Rejected Prints
License Removed from Data Base

GENERAL QUESTIONS

If I live in Wisconsin and have my fingerprints taken by a Wisconsin law enforcement agency, must I use DPI's cards?

You must always use cards provided to you by DPI. These cards have certain coding and numbers imprinted on them, which is not the case with other, non-DPI cards.

I live in another state. Can I have my fingerprints done here, or must I have them done in Wisconsin?

You may have your fingerprints taken at any law enforcement agency. However, you must use the cards provided to you by DPI. Other cards, no matter whom they are from, will not be acceptable.

My school already fingerprinted me as part of my pre-employment background check. Do school districts forward these results to you?

Generally, no. Many employment agencies, schools and school districts conduct their own background checks in addition to background checks done by the DPI, as part of their hiring or contract renewal process. DPI is required by law to conduct its own background check and fingerprint process. Frequently, the standards for background checks for employers are different from the DPI.

How will I know that you have received my fingerprint cards and they were not rejected?

You will be contacted if there is a problem with your cards that requires your involvement, or if your cards were not received by the deadline and your license has been removed from our database. If you are concerned about us receiving your fingerprint cards, you may wish to send them using a service that provides delivery confirmation.

What is the difference between a "conditional license" and a regular license? Will I be notified when it changes from conditional to valid?

Your license is a valid license at the time it is issued to you. Your license is not a "conditional license." DPI may issue a license "conditionally," pending a satisfactory FBI background check, but the license itself is not different from any other license. Because the DPI has no control over the length of time it takes the FBI to process fingerprints and provide the results to us, the statutes allow us to issue licenses before we receive the final outcome of this piece of the background check. If the information from the FBI is unsatisfactory or cannot be completed due to the applicant's failure to provide fingerprints as requested, the license, which was issued conditionally pending receipt of a satisfactory background check, will be removed from our data base and the application for licensure will be denied.

Are there licensed teachers in Wisconsin schools who have not had a background check done?

No. All licensed educators in Wisconsin have had a full background check completed through the Wisconsin Crime Information Bureau. The law does require some applicants to also provide fingerprints so additional background check information can be obtained. Advances in technology now make it likely that even people who are difficult to get good fingerprints from will be successful. Even if attempts are not successful, the Department of Justice can still usually provide the DPI with the necessary background check information.

I have been fingerprinted numerous times over the years, as a student teacher, a childcare worker, and as a teacher in another state. This is in addition to the fingerprints I have provided to the DPI in the past. Why don't any of my previous fingerprint submissions count?

Wisconsin law requires DPI to conduct background checks on all applicants for an educator license, and to obtain fingerprints from certain applicants as part of the license application process. Prior fingerprints and background checks from other agencies and for other purposes do not satisfy DPI's statutory requirements. If the DPI notifies you that you must submit fingerprints again, new fingerprints must be submitted to the DPI before you will be licensed.

INCOMPLETE OR REJECTED PRINTS

I just received a letter telling me there is some sort of problem with my fingerprints. What should I do?

The letters sent out regarding fingerprint issues do contain instructions to follow regarding fingerprints. Please read the letter carefully and follow the instructions about what is needed. If you still have questions, please call us.

I received a letter telling me that my fingerprint cards are incomplete. How do I know what is missing?

The cover letter you received with the incomplete fingerprint card or cards will have a series of check boxes in the center of the page. If a box is checked, it indicates this information is missing on the fingerprint card and must be filled in. On occasion, sticky arrows are attached to the card to point out the exact location of missing information.

I originally sent in two fingerprint cards, but you only sent one card back to me to complete. Where is the other card? Do I need to get an additional card to send to you?

No. If we only sent you back one card, then that is the only card that had missing information. You do not need to do anything other than fill out the card as indicated in the letter and send it back to us.

Does "rejected" mean that something showed up on my record/background check?

No. It means that the cards were rejected by either the Department of Justice or the FBI, because the prints on one or both cards were not readable. It has nothing to do with the applicant's background.

I received a letter indicating my fingerprints were rejected and that I have to submit new fingerprints. How do I find out what the problem is so I can correct it and make sure my fingerprints are not rejected again?

When there is no information given in a letter, it likely is a problem that cannot be controlled, either by the applicant or by the technician. In this kind of situation, the important thing is not what caused the rejection of the fingerprint cards - it is the submission of new fingerprint cards, as quickly as possible, to ensure that licensure is not compromised. Electronic fingerprinting, offered by Pearson VUE, has a much higher success rate than ink fingerprints.

Why do I have to submit more fingerprints, if we already know that they will almost certainly be rejected, as they have been in the past? That seems like a waste of everyone's time and money.

The law requires DPI to obtain fingerprints from applicants who meet certain criteria. Also, advances in electronic and digital fingerprinting technology have significantly reduced the rate of fingerprint rejections for applicants using this technology. DPI does understand that requiring applicants to make repeated attempts at fingerprint submission can be frustrating, time consuming, and costly. With the advances in technology, if an applicant provides fingerprints twice within a six-month period, even if both attempts are rejected, the applicant will not have to make any further attempts. The Department of Justice will use the two "rejected" attempts to provide us with the necessary background information on the applicant. However, if any of the fingerprint cards are older than six months, the applicant will be required to obtain additional fingerprints. The two fingerprint cards applicants submit to the DPI are, together, considered two submissions. If submission of one card fails, the second card is submitted for processing. If the second card is not needed, the DPI destroys it.

My fingerprint cards were returned to me with a deadline for return. What will happen if I miss the deadline?

If your license has not been issued, it will be denied. If your license has been issued, it will be removed from our database and your application will be denied. If you wish, you may appeal the denial or reapply for your license.

I have already submitted fingerprints to DPI several times in the past, and I have been told that some people just can't provide acceptable prints. Will I need to keep submitting fingerprints endlessly?

No. In the past that might have been the case. The DPI recognizes that requiring applicants to make numerous attempts to submit fingerprints is frustrating, costly, and time consuming for the applicant. It also creates situations where licensure is significantly delayed or denied. Recently the fingerprint process was changed to prevent difficulties that have occurred for some people in the past. Currently, if an applicant submits two fingerprint cards within a six-month period and both are rejected, the applicant will not have to make any further attempts. The Department of Justice (DOJ) will use the two "rejected" attempts to provide the necessary background information on the applicant.

LICENSE REMOVED FROM DATA BASE

I received a letter indicating my license was removed from the database because I did not send you my fingerprints. Is this the same as a license revocation and will it appear on my permanent record?

The term "removed from the database" means the license we originally issued was issued based on completing a satisfactory background check on you. When we did not receive the necessary fingerprints, your license was removed from the database, and your application for licensure was denied. This is not the same as revocation. Revocation is taking away the license based on immoral conduct, incompetency, or tax delinquency committed by the educator. In the case of a denial due to lacking fingerprints, it is considered an incomplete application, not misconduct. Your license will be denied, but you may reapply with a complete application at anytime.

I missed the deadline to get my fingerprints back to the DPI. Now, my license has been removed from the database. Can I still teach?

If your position requires a valid Wisconsin educator's license, you may not teach, as you do not have a license. When your license is denied and is removed from the database, we also notify your employing school district.

My license was removed from the database because I did not get my fingerprints to DPI by the deadline. What do I have to do to get it reinstated?

You may either reapply for licensure by submitting the appropriate application and fee, or you may appeal the denial.

The letter I received said something about requesting a hearing. What is the purpose of a hearing and will I need one?

The law allows an applicant to request a hearing, if the applicant believes the DPI was in error when the license was denied. It is an administrative hearing and is conducted by an impartial Administrative Law Judge. If you believe you are entitled to a license without submitting your fingerprints, then you may wish to request a hearing to address the matter. Otherwise, you may reapply for a license with a complete application and fee at anytime.

If my license is denied, can I get my money back?

No. The application fee is not the cost of the license. It is a fee associated with the paperwork and administrative activities that are necessary to process an application for licensure. DPI does not refund license application fees due to non-licensure or background processing issues.

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Questions about the information on this page may be directed to Jade Statz, 608 267-9262.

Last updated on 1/28/2009 10:00:30 AM