FBI Information


This page provides information on the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) that pertains to the National Background Check Program (NBCP).


Statutory Authority for NBCP Fingerprints
FBI Letter to CSOs/SIBs
Next Generation Identification Program (NGI) Rap Back Service
FBI Presentations from NBCP Annual Training
FBI Fee Information
Other Resources

Statutory Authority for NBCP Fingerprints

CMS has released a letter on the continuation of authorization to use the “CMS NBCP 6201” Reason Fingerprinted Code (RFP) after State’s NBCP grant expiration. The FBI has no legal objection to a State continuing to use the “CMS NBCP 6201” RFP once a State’s grant expires, as long as the State continues to operate in accordance with the NBCP.

FBI Letter to CSOs/SIBs

In August 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a letter to State Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems officers (CSOs) and State Identification Bureau (SIB) representatives regarding the National Background Check Program (NBCP). The FBI’s letter describes program requirements for States that are awarded NBCP grants, and fingerprint processing requirements in particular. Below is a link to a copy of this letter.

The FBI sent two attachments with its letter. The first attachment is the text of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, Public Law 111.148, Section 6201, detailing the NBCP. The second attachment lists suggested “Originating Agency Case Number” codes for use in the fingerprint submission process.

Questions regarding the NBCP fingerprinting process or CSO/SIB responsibilities can be directed to the CNA Project Director of the National Background Check Program, Elizabeth Raistrick at raistricke@cna.org.

Links to FBI’s letter and both attachments to the letter are below.

2011-08-26 Letter from the FBI to the CSO/SIBs
2011-08-26 CSO/SIB Letter Attachment 1 - Public Law 111.148 Section 6201
2011-08-26 CSO/SIB Letter Attachment 2 - Suggested OCA Codes

Next Generation Identification Program (NGI) Rap Back Service

The purpose of this document is to provide a roadmap of required polices and operations to the SIBs, Federal Submitting Agencies, and authorized contractors who may choose to participate in FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) Rap Back Service. The goal is to describe how the service will be implemented for the Subscribing Entities, the Submitting Entities, and the FBI CJIS Division so that each potential Submitting Entity can understand their roles and responsibilities and make an informed decision regarding participation for themselves and their subordinate Subscribing Entities.

This document refers to non-criminal justice use of NGI’s Rap Back Service. Additional information on approved Privacy Risk Mitigation Strategies, designed to protect the privacy of subscribed persons and to ensure the integrity of the NGI Rap Back data and Service, is available in Appendix 1.

Next Generation Identification Program (NGI) Rap Back Service
Appendix 1: Approved Rap Back Privacy Risk Mitigation Strategies

FBI Presentations from NBCP Annual Training

Presentations from the 6th Annual NBCP Training Meeting, held May 2-4, 2016.

“FBI’s Federal Rap Back”
Presented by: Jimmy Mills, Management and Program Analyst, Rap Back Services Team and Theresa Yarboro, Federal Bureau of Investigation

“Understanding FBI’s Criminal Identification History Summary”
Presented by: Susan Tuttle, Training Instructor, RMS / CTAP / BTT

FBI Fee Information

The information below details some of the information the FBI has provided on fees for fingerprint related services.

Fee Increase by FBI (2018)

On July 19, 2018 The FBI completed a review of the fees charged for fingerprint-based and name-based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) checks. As a result of the review, the FBI has concluded the current fingerprint fee does not recover the cost of providing the service. A revised fee schedule has been published formally in the Federal Register and will go into effect on January 1, 2019.

Elimination of Federal Rap Back Fee Schedule (2016)

In October 2016, the FBI issued a letter to establish revised rates for the user fee schedule for authorized users requesting fingerprint-based and name-based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) checks for noncriminal justice purposes. The notice contained an announcement that the interim fee schedule for the Federal Rap Back program previously established in 2013 would be eliminated.

Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) User Fee Schedule (2015)

Pursuant to Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 20.31(e)(3), this notice establishes revised rates for the user fee schedule for authorized users requesting fingerprint-based and name-based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) checks for noncriminal justice purposes. This fee is effective February 1, 2015. The full text of the notice is available on the Federal Register website.

FBI Rap Back Interim Fee Schedule

In July 2013, the FBI issued a letter to State Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems officers (CSOs) and State Identification Bureau (SIB) representatives regarding the interim fee schedule for the Next Generation Identification (NGI) Rap Back Program. Because the Rap Back Program is a new service, the FBI CJIS Division does not yet have sufficient data to establish a fee schedule based on actual historical costs. Accordingly, the FBI CJIS Division has devised a schedule based on the closest existing fee class that will serve as an interim fee schedule until such time that a fee schedule, based upon actual cost data, can be developed.

Interim Fee Schedule for the NGI Rap Back Program

Other Resources

Below are other resources available on the FBI’s CJIS website.