criminal check for licensed professionals

[gkraft4]

Last year my wife was required to submit her finger prints to renew her Registered Nursing license. This year I'm required to do the same to renew my Professional Engineering license; however, both of us have a valid Texas CHL. Why can't these agencies use our CHL in lieu of us paying for another criminal check?

[C-dub]

Different branches or departments of the government hardly ever share stuff like that. Don't know why exactly. But now you're talking about a registry in the case of your wife that is neither and I suspect the same for yours. Besides, either of those groups might just freak out if they knew you had CHLs and tell your employers or worse. IDK

It stinks, but just go with it and keep them in the dark. They don't need to know.

[KRM45]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I find it interesting that you needed to submit finger prints to renew your P.E. license. I've been licensed as a P.E. in Texas for many years, and I don't ever recall submitting prints. In fact I just renewed last week, and did it through the web site.

[tommyg]

I worked in a State Reform School for five years. Before starting work they ran a state
background check, finger prints then they ran me through an FBI check. My job was to run
the heating plant. After they put me thru all of this the State in their infinate wisdom
brought in inmates from a state prison to work as grounds keepers.

Note: THis was in another State not Texas

[jmra]

Last year my wife was required to submit her finger prints to renew her Registered Nursing license. This year I'm required to do the same to renew my Professional Engineering license; however, both of us have a valid Texas CHL. Why can't these agencies use our CHL in lieu of us paying for another criminal check?

That's odd, my wife did not have to submit prints when she renewed her RN. She was printed when we moved to Texas and she applied for her TX certification, but not when she renewed. Unless she did and didn't mention it. I'll ask when she get up (sleeping in this morning).

[Keith B]

My understanding is that anytime a background check is done by the FBI they require prints to be submitted. They have had to be submitted electronically to the FBI for some time, even prior to Texas requiring them to be taken electronically. In those days the state scanned the fingerprint card and sent the scan to the FBI.

Once the FBI does the background check they do not keep a copy, but discard them, so requests for a new background check require a resubmission. Texas keeps your prints on file for a previously approved certification (CHL, commissioned security guard, RN licensing, etc.) and will reuse your previous prints, if acceptable, for renewal and will just resubmit it to the FBI for the check.

EDIT TO ADD: As for using previously submitted prints for a different license/certification, I think they want to make sure the person submitting the original request is actually who they say they are and taking new prints is one method of cross-checking and preventing fraud. Once the license is issued, then they are just sending the renewal to the one they have previously verified.

[lfinsr]

Because we have fought hard to prevent DPS from releasing any CHL information unless it is related to a criminal investigation. My opinion is that that my CHL license, and the information that goes along with it, be used only for it's intended purpose. Personally, I don't want them sharing anything and the inconvenience of getting another set of prints is far outweighed by the privacy. YMMV

Larry

[gkraft4]

The Criminal History Record Check https://engineers.texas.gov/recordcheck.html for the Texas Board of Professional Engineers is new for 2014. I believe it is a one time deal for PEs and RNs http://www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/faqs-fp.html.

All I'm sayings, is if the Texas legislatures can have a CHL express lane at the state capital viewtopic.php?f=23&t=38382, then why to I have to pay to wait in again line to get my finger prints taken. They get to multipurpose their CHL, but I can't? Perhaps we should get some CHL carrying lawyers to complain when they renew with the Bar http://www.ble.state.tx.us/fpc/fast_form_0812_pdf.pdf.

[Keith B]

The Criminal History Record Check https://engineers.texas.gov/recordcheck.html for the Texas Board of Professional Engineers is new for 2014. I believe it is a one time deal for PEs and RNs http://www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/faqs-fp.html.

All I'm sayings, is if the Texas legislatures can have a CHL express lane at the state capital viewtopic.php?f=23&t=38382, then why to I have to pay to wait in again line to get my finger prints taken. They get to multipurpose their CHL, but I can't? Perhaps we should get some CHL carrying lawyers to complain when they renew with the Bar http://www.ble.state.tx.us/fpc/fast_form_0812_pdf.pdf.

As I stated before, as far as I know all NEW licenses require an initial new set of prints be taken and submitted for the FBI background check. Renewals can reuse prints previously taken for that specific license/certification. The 'express lane' has nothing to do with fingerprints and background checks, just a way to allow a CHL to bypass the metal detectors at the capitol as there are only a few exceptions where they cab prohibit a CHL from carrying in a government building.

[texanjoker]

Another point is that it takes a new set to run a current criminal history. If you have had your chl even 6 months then the criminal history isn't current.

[srothstein]

There is an even more important reason to have new fingerprints taken each time for each license. It is only by matching the new fingerprints to current records that they can say that you really are the person named in the records. This is why you should not need prints for renewals of licenses where they took prints to begin with (IMO) but why each new license justifiably (also IMO) requires a new set of prints. It is the best way to prevent identity theft in the licensing scheme.

A much bigger issue might be to discuss why we need so much professional licensing, but that is a whole separate debate.

[tomtexan]

A much bigger issue might be to discuss why we need so much professional licensing, but that is a whole separate debate.

It's a revenue generator, at least in my profession anyways.

[C-dub]

A much bigger issue might be to discuss why we need so much professional licensing, but that is a whole separate debate.

It's a revenue generator, at least in my profession anyways.

Nah, I'd bet it has something to do with someone being sued.

[Divided Attention]

So many background checks.... nursing license, ISD employee, CHL (all these required fingerprinting), 4-H volunteer (no fingerprints.) None of these would accept the background check or fingerprints of the others. I could get a letter from the issuing agency in lieu of the background check for 4-H, but figured it would be a bigger hassle than just paying my $ and letting them check me out. It seems it would be easier for them all if the state agencies at least shared the information... but who am I to suggest!

[texanjoker]

A much bigger issue might be to discuss why we need so much professional licensing, but that is a whole separate debate.

It's a revenue generator, at least in my profession anyways.

Yup!