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Fingerprint Requirements

What to Know About the Fingerprint Requirement

All applicants for a new license or reactivation of an expired license must provide fingerprints for a state and federal criminal history record check.

On-time renewals (90 days prior to your expiration date, or 30 days after your expiration date) do not require the submission of fingerprints.  Your fingerprints must be collected for the Oregon State Board of Nursing application. Fingerprints collected for any other agency or organization cannot be used for your OSBN licensing application. 

All fingerprints are processed through the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the FBI.

PLEASE NOTE:  You must get your fingerprints AFTER you have applied through the Online Licensing Portal. If you don't start your application through the Online Licensing Portal FIRST, the OSBN won't be able to match your fingerprints to your application. This will result in your fingerprints being unmatchable to an application and further delay getting licensed. 

Review the PDF copy of your application. It contains information on your next steps.  If your application requires you to submit fingerprints, instructions on how to properly submit them are included on the copy of your application. This information must be previewed before your application is submitted, and is retained for review in the Online Licensing Portal of our website after your application has been paid for. Once you have logged into the site, it is listed under the ‘application copy’ link of your current application. Please review these instructions closely.  See the illustration below for where to find your application copy.



Fieldprint Inc
The Oregon State Board of Nursing contracts with Fieldprint Inc. to collect digital fingerprint images from applicants for the background check.  After submitting an application for licensure, please visit Fieldprint Inc's website to schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken and transmitted electronically. Fieldprint Inc offers services nationwide.  Visit www.fieldprintoregon.com for more information.

Before you go, condition your fingers. Health care professionals may have difficultly obtaining quality fingerprints due to dry hands from frequent handwashing. Moisturize or apply cornhusker’s oil on your hands prior to fingerprinting to help “raise” the prints, making them easier to read.  If Oregon State Police or the FBI rejects your fingerprints because of poor quality, Fieldprint Inc or the Oregon State Board of Nursing will notify you to schedule retakes.

If your address is more than 75 miles away from a Fieldprint Inc. location, or you reside internationally, please contact us in the message center of the Online Licensing Portal for an accommodation request. 
Processing Time
Due to the influx of applications being received currently, the minimum fingerprint processing time about 8 weeks (this is an estimate, and subject to unexpected change).  If you have questions regarding the status of your fingerprint processing, contact the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Do not attempt to contact the Oregon State Police. Submit questions about the fingerprinting process to the Licensing department in the Message Center of the Online Licensing Portal
Challenging the Reported Information
You may challenge the accuracy or completeness of the criminal history information in accordance with OAR 125-007-0300(7). The procedure for obtaining a change, correction, or update to an FBI record are provided in Title 28 CFR 16.34.