Maine State Board of Nursing Criminal Background Checks
State and FBI criminal background checks (CBCs) are required for all applicants for initial licensure and licensure by endorsement, including applicants for multistate licensure pursuant to M.R.S. Title 32, chapter 31, subchapter 2-A.
Requirements
- All applicants for initial licensure (LPN, RN, APRN) or licensure by endorsement, including multistate licensure, are required to have a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC) under 32 M.R.S. §2111, 2173(2) and 2173(3)(F).
- For more information, see Board Rules, Chapter 13 (PDF).
Application Process
- Register for fingerprinting online at https://me.ibtfingerprint.com/. If you do not register, you will not be able to have your fingerprints taken. There is a one-time $52 fee for this process.
- CBC requirement is only part of the application process and applicants must comply with all other application requirements.
- Once you successfully complete the exclusive online application process for an
PN/RN/APRN initial license or PN/RN license by endorsement you are eligible to request
a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGo, the vendor responsible for
processing your fingerprints. - Online applicants may also view their MSBON application process through their applicant checklist.
NOTE: Applicants shall repeat the criminal background check if the original result is more than 90 days old.
Fingerprint Process
- Inside Maine applicant fingerprints will be done electronically through Livescan, digital fingerprint image technology, which provides a faster and more accurate collection process, and the cost is $52.00.
Outside Maine applicants should register with IdentoGo as a "MAIL IN", then go to your local police department or sheriff's office to have your fingerprints inked onto a fingerprint card. You will then mail your fingerprint card and the receipt that you received in your e-mail from IdentoGo when you registered to:
Prints, Inc
IdentoGO ME Card Scan Operations
100 Salem Ct., Tallahassee, FL 32301- IdentoGo is the exclusive vendor for the MSBON and is a nationally recognized service provider.
- IdentoGo provides 24/7/365 fingerprint scheduling through their web-based portal and answering questions through their call center.
Results
- Notification of the results are typically available to the MSBON within 24-48 hours; results for applicants outside of Maine may require additional processing time due to manual processing and mailing times. However, if an applicant has a criminal history, the actual results may not be available for 30 days or more, dependent upon the FBI and/or Maine Department of Public Safety (DPS).
- Applications with an associated criminal history record will take longer to process since they must be reviewed by the Board or a designated Board staff member.
- The MSBON Criminal Background Check staff will notify applicants by mail or email regarding results that may require additional information.
- For additional information regarding the MSBON CBC process please see Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
PLEASE NOTE:
Fingerprint cards must not be sent directly to the Maine State Board of Nursing. We are unable to process fingerprint cards and unable to send back to you or to IdentoGo. Please pay careful attention to IdentoGo Instructions.
Please notify the Board of Nursing at (207) 287-1133 with any questions.