Completing the Fingerprint Requirement for your License Application

Fingerprint submission is an important part of the process of conducting background checks on certain applicants for a Wisconsin educator license.

Applicants Who Must Submit Fingerprints

Applicants who have worked, resided, or physically attended classes in any of the locations listed below within the last twenty years (after age 17) are required to submit fingerprints to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) with their applications.

• a state other than Wisconsin
• a listed U.S. territory (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, or Virgin Islands)
• Canada
• Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales)

If you previously submitted fingerprints to the DPI you must submit fingerprints again if, since the previous submission, you worked, resided, or physically attended classes in any locations above. If your application contains a non-Wisconsin mailing address, you must submit fingerprints. The DPI may also require other applicants to submit fingerprints during the course of the background investigation. Wis Stats § 118.19(10)(c).

Electronic Fingerprint Submission

The state of Wisconsin has contracted with Pearson VUE, a private vendor to offer "inkless" live scan technology fingerprinting at a reasonable price. Pearson VUE partners with Integrated Biometrics Technology (IBT) to prepare fingerprints at various Wisconsin locations and send them electronically to the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the FBI. This technology reduces the error rate (cards returned because the prints could not be read) from the FBI to under 3%. IBT/Pearson VUE's Wisconsin locations are the only DPI-acceptable electronic submission providers at this time. If you choose to submit your prints electronically from one of their Wisconsin locations, there is no need to request paper fingerprint cards from the DPI.

Services are offered at several sites in Wisconsin. You may find locations and schedule an appointment at a service center near you by using the IBT website. An $18.00 fee is charged (eCheck or Credit Card) at the time your appointment is submitted. See the following pdf document for more information about IBT services including locations, detailed registration instructions, and FAQs: www.asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/FP5002.pdf. To obtain information by telephone, call the IBT Reservation Center at 866-416-4896. Electronic fingerprint submissions may not occur through any other vendor or law enforcement agency.

Paper Fingerprint Cards

If you do not use Pearson Vue's Wisconsin electronic fingerprinting services, then you must request paper fingerprint cards from the Department of Public Instruction. You will be mailed two fingerprint cards (by U.S. mail) which are preprinted with the Department's name and codes. Your prints must be prepared on both of the DPI-supplied cards.

When you receive the cards from DPI, make arrangements to have your fingerprints prepared by a law enforcement agency. Contact the law enforcement agency for details. Take photo identification with you when having your prints prepared. Fingerprinting service information and links:

• Wisconsin.gov - Government. Scroll down to "Local Governments" to see links to Wisconsin police and sheriff's departments.
• City of Madison Police Department
• UW - Madison Police Department (for students, faculty, and staff)
• Outside the United States, contact a U. S. Embassy about having your fingerprint cards prepared.

Each card has blank fields that must be completed in black ink. Fill out all required fields (details below) on each of the cards before your prints are made. Cards will be returned to you if a required field is not correctly completed.

Mailing Instructions:  When the cards are completed, prepared with your prints, and signed, mail them to the Department of Public Instruction. Do not fold or staple the fingerprint cards.

• If possible, send your fingerprint cards along with your original license application and fee to:
      DPI - Educator Licensing, Drawer 794, Milwaukee, WI   53293-0794
  
• If you must send fingerprint cards separately (after your application materials and fee were mailed), then mail the cards, in the envelope provided, to:
      DPI - Educator Licensing, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841.

FINGER PRINT CARD REQUIRED FIELDS

Complete the following fields on the FBI cards (blue lines and printing on a white background). All fields are on one side of the card.

1. NAM - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
2. Signature of Person Fingerprinted
3. AKA - Aliases
4. DOB - Date of Birth: Month, Day, Year
5. SEX
6. RACE
7. HGT - Height
8. WGT - Weight
9. EYES - Eye Color
10. HAIR - Hair Color
11. SOC - Social Security Number
12. The Signature of Official Taking Fingerprints and Date must be completed by the law enforcement official who prepares your prints.

Fingerprinting Resource Information

• Frequently Asked Questions - Fingerprint Process - Common questions related to the DPI fingerprinting process.

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

Last updated on 6/10/2010 2:14:37 PM