Using NSOPW and State Repositories for 

NSOPW, State and FBI Checks 

Effective May 1, 2021

Updated November 30, 2023
2 

Contents

Change Log........................................................................................................................................................................ 2

National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) Guidance................................................................................. 3

State Check Guidance.................................................................................................................................................... 5

Designated Statewide Criminal History Repositories and Alternatives........................................................... 6

FBI Check Guidance....................................................................................................................................................... 14

Documentation and Compliance Checklist........................................................................................................... 15

FAQs..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

1.0 National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW.gov) Checks ................................................................. 17

2.0 Statewide Criminal History Checks................................................................................................................... 17

3.0 FBI Checks............................................................................................................................................................... 17

4.0 Documentation for NSCHC Requirements .................................................................................................... 18

Change Log

This table lists all the changes made in the most recent revision of this document.

# Date Section and Page # Change

1 4/29/21 Throughout This change log added

2 4/29/21 NSOPW (pg. 3); 

Documentation 

(pg. 14-15)

Updated to reflect name-based check guidance 

provided in the NSCHC manual

3 4/29/21 Documentation 

(pg. 14-15)

Clarified documentation requirements in process and 

practices

4 5/1/21 Throughout Updated links to reflect: https://americorps.gov/granteessponsors/history-check

5 4/1/22 Designated 

Statewide 

Criminal History 

Repositories and 

Alternatives

New Hampshire: the name of the bureau under the NH 

State Police responsible for criminal history checks was 

retitled from the Support Services Bureau to the Justice 

Information Bureau. This change took place in 

approximately 2017.

6 11/18/22 Designated 

Statewide 

Criminal History 

Repositories and 

Alternatives

Louisiana: the bureau under the LA State Police 

responsible for criminal history checks was updated from 

the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to the Bureau of 

Criminal Identification and Information. 

7 11/30/23 FAQs FAQ # 4.2 updated
3 

National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) Guidance

For grant and sub grant recipients (recipients) who do not use AmeriCorps approved vendor, 

Truescreen, to obtain NSOPW checks, may go directly to the NSOPW. The NSOPW is an Internetbased system operated by the U.S. Department of Justice. The system gathers data from all 

participating State-level sex offender registries plus those operated by Guam, Puerto Rico, the District 

of Columbia and Tribal Governments. This check can be obtained free of charge from

https://NSOPW.gov. 

INSTRUCTIONS and GUIDANCE 

1. Go to www.NSOPW.gov. The nationwide search must be conducted, and it must be 

documented that an individual in a covered position is eligible to serve or work before starting 

work or service.

2. Conduct the NSOPW search by using the first and last name of the individual, as reflected on 

documentation used to verify the identity of the individual in the “Search by Name” feature 

on https://NSOPW.gov. You are only required to check a person’s current name, as reflected 

on documentation used to determine the name of the individual and as noted in your policies 

and procedures. Refer to agency guidance on name-based checks in the NSCHC manual.

a. Follow the instructions on the www.NSOPW.gov website. The NSOPW search asks for the 

first and last name only and only has spaces for the first and last name. Enter the first 

and last name. 

i. Entering a middle name or initial can often limit results or has the potential to 

change the results and should not be used in the same search. Adding 

information beyond the first and last name may result in a noncompliant check 

for which you may face financial consequences.

b. Multiple searches for different names (e.g., middle or maiden names) may be 

conducted but must be conducted in separate searches. It is prudent to check any 

other names that the person has used or is/was known by. 

c. Do not use the Advanced Search feature, which limits the geographic scope of the 

search and will result in a noncompliant check for which you will face financial 

consequences. 

3. Review the NSOPW results. 

a. If the individual is a convicted sex offender who is required to register on a sex offender 

registry, the individual is ineligible to work/serve on an AmeriCorps grant. 

i. If the results indicate person listed on the NSOPW who has the same name as an 

applicant you must conduct a more in-depth inquiry to determine whether the 

person who appears on the NSOPW is your applicant or someone with the same 

name. The statewide or FBI criminal history search will also provide helpful 

information to help you determine if the candidate is the person on the registry.
4

ii. If the individual is ineligible to serve or unsuitable to serve according to 

organization-specific screening criteria and is denied an opportunity to serve, 

you must provide a reasonable opportunity for the individual to review and 

challenge the factual accuracy of a result before action is taken to exclude the 

individual from the position. This process must be documented.

b. The result will indicate whether or not any state systems were inoperable during that 

search. If any state systems were inoperable, the check is not complete, and you must:

i. re-check the NSOPW before the person starts service to rule out the possibility 

that the applicant is registered in the state(s) system(s) that was not connected 

to the NSOPW system when you performed the first check or 

ii. supplement the first NSOPW check by checking the state registry/ies that are out 

of service. 

4. Document that the results were reviewed, and an eligibility determination made, even if there 

are no hits. The regulations (45 CFR 2540.205) require that NSCHC must be conducted, 

reviewed, and an eligibility determination made by the grant recipient or subrecipient based 

on the results of the National Service Criminal History Check no later than the day before the

person begins to work or serve in a position specified in 45 CFR § 2540.201(a).

5. Retain your date-stamped result and adjudication to demonstrate that results were 

considered. 

a. You must retain a record of the NSOPW search and associated results either by printing 

the screen(s) or by some other method that retains paper or digital images of the 

results, including the date when the search was performed.

b. It is a best practice to print out a screen shot of the NSOPW results. 
5

State Check Guidance

For grant and sub grant recipients (recipients) who do not use AmeriCorps approved vendor, 

Truescreen, to obtain State checks, AmeriCorps has identified the state criminal history record 

repository and alternatives to the state criminal history record repository in each state and most 

territories. While many states have more than one source of criminal history information, using any 

source other than those designated by AmeriCorps is not compliant with the requirements. 

AmeriCorps recipients must conduct state checks for states of service/work and residence at time of 

application. For more information on State of Residence, refer to the NSCHC manual.

• The process and results of a state repository criminal history check will vary by state. It is the 

responsibility of the grant recipient to abide by state processes and laws. Each state will have 

a specific process to obtain a criminal history check. AmeriCorps will accept name or 

fingerprint-based state criminal history checks. 

o Fingerprint-based searches use biometric data (unique fingerprints) and are the most 

reliable method of obtaining criminal history records. 

o Name-based record checks use biographic information (name, date of birth, gender, 

and social security numbers). Name-based checks can result in false positives (records 

that are falsely attributed to the person) or false negatives (records belonging to the 

person are not identified), and it consumes staff time to verify. 

o Some state repositories will provide different types of check options, beyond fingerprint 

or name based. Do not select checks that are limited by time, criminal sentence (ex: 

only felonies reported, past 7 years), etc. The state check must include all included 

data that dates as far back as the approved sources provide criminal history 

information.

• After obtaining the state check, the grant recipient must review and adjudicate all results. The 

adjudication must be documented. 

o Please note that some states will release a “rap sheet” listing all arrests and offenses, 

while others may provide a summary record reflecting cleared/not cleared based on 

screening criteria specific to that state. Consequently, you must understand the

screening criteria used by the agency that conducts states check(s) to act on results 

appropriately. At a minimum, AmeriCorps requires that these criteria include individuals

convicted of murder and individuals required to register as sex offenders. 

• Retain your date-stamped result and adjudication to demonstrate that results were 

considered even if there are no hits. The regulations require you to document that the results 

were considered when selecting the individual.

• If a state repository does not allow AmeriCorps to review the results, as required by 45 CFR 

2540.206a5, grant recipients may use AmeriCorps approved vendor, Truescreen, whose results 

are accessible by AmeriCorps. 
6 

Designated Statewide Criminal History Repositories and Alternatives

 

The table below presents a single official criminal history information repository for each state and 

territory. 

These are the repositories which must be used to perform statewide searches for National Service 

Criminal History Checks. For some states, AmeriCorps has approved the use of an alternative 

source. If an alternative source has been designated below, unless otherwise qualified, it may be 

used without further approval from AmeriCorps. Questions on the use of this information should be 

sent to your AmeriCorps Program Officer or Grants Officer. 

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

Alabama 

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency 

(ALEA) and the Alabama Background 

Check (ABC) 

(Updated July 22, 2016)

None at this time.

Alaska Department of Public Safety 

Alaska Court System CourtView System

CourtView system searches must be either (a) singular 

name-based queries using the on-web portal above; or 

(b) name-based searches using bulk electronic data 

obtained from directly from the Alaska Court System on 

a quarterly updated basis. (UPDATED Link! November 

22, 2017)

A fingerprint-based check by the Montana Department 

of Justice, the Oregon State Police, or the Wyoming

Division of Criminal Investigation. (See the relevant state 

listings in this document for web addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

A fingerprint-based check by the Washington State 

Patrol

will indicate only if there is a record of the individual in 

the Alaska repository. If you receive this notification, 

you must conduct a full Alaska state check using the 

designated repository to the left.

(Added November 30, 2015)

American 

Samoa Department of Public Safety None at this time 
7 

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

Arizona Arizona Department of Public Safety 

Approved for organizations outside of Arizona

conducting Arizona state of residence checks ONLY: 

A combined check of the (1) Arizona Judiciary Public 

Access

to Court Case (PACC) system and (2) the Pima County 

Superior Court Record Search (PCSCRS).

All results received must be adjudicated to ensure the 

individual referenced is not the applicant and both

search results must be retained as evidence of 

performing this check. When using this alternative, 

annotate the results to indicate the date the check was 

run and the name of the individual checked, if they do 

not appear on the printout.

(Updated July 22, 2016)

Arkansas Arkansas Crime Information Center None at this time

California

California Department of Justice

Criminal Justice Information Services 

Division

None at this time 

Colorado 

Department of Public Safety Crime 

Information Center Colorado Bureau of 

Investigation 

A combined check of the (1) Colorado Judicial Branch 

(CJB) records and (2) Denver County Court records 

may be used. The AmeriCorps has labeled this 

combined alternate search a “Colorado Combined

Court Records Check (CCCRC).” Both search results 

must be retained as evidence of performing a CCCRC 

check. 

Connecticut Department of Public Safety Bureau of 

Identification 

You may use bulk data from the

Connecticut Judicial Branch (CJB) Criminal/Motor 

Vehicle Case on individuals of any age, provided you 

subscribe for monthly updates. (Updated July 22, 2016)

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Criminal / 

Motor Vehicle Search service’s online system is 

approved for individuals 27 years of age and younger 

only.

Delaware Department of Public Safety None at this time 

District of 

Columbia

Metropolitan Police Department 

Records Department None at this time 

Florida 

Florida Department of Law

Enforcement Criminal Justice

Information Systems

None at this time 

Georgia Georgia Bureau of Investigation 

Georgia Crime Information Center

Note: The name-based Georgia Felon Search service is 

not acceptable since it only presents felony crime 

convictions. You must obtain the criminal history from 

the Georgia Crime Information Center's statewide full

criminal history system.
8 

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

Guam Guam Judicial Center, Superior Court 

of Guam

None at this time 

Hawaii Department of the Attorney General 

Criminal Justice Data Center None at this time 

Idaho Idaho State Police

Bureau of Criminal Identification 

A fingerprint-based check by the Montana

Department of Justice, the Oregon Department of 

Human Services or the Wyoming Division of Criminal 

Investigation. (See the relevant state listings in this 

document for web addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

A fingerprint-based check by the Washington State 

Patrol will indicate only if there is a record of the 

individual checked in the Idaho repository. If you 

receive this notification, you must conduct a full Idaho 

state check using the designated repository to the left.

(Added November 30, 2015)

Illinois Illinois State Police, Division of 

Administration

None at this time 

Indiana Indiana State Police, Records Division None at this time 

Iowa Iowa Department of Public Safety

Division of Criminal Investigation

None at this time 

Kansas Kansas Bureau of Investigation None at this time 

Kentucky Kentucky State Police, Records 

Section 

Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) 

Louisiana 

Office of State Police, Bureau of 

Criminal Identification and Information 

(Bureau name updated Nov. 18, 2022)

None at this time 

Maine Maine State Police, State Bureau of 

Identification

None at this time 

Maryland 

Maryland Department of Public Safety 

& Correctional Services--Criminal 

Justice Information System-Central

Repository 

Approved for organizations outside of Maryland

conducting Maryland state of residence checks ONLY: 

Maryland Judicial Case Search. 

You must review all results to ensure the individual 

referenced is not your applicant and retain the results 

of your search as evidence of performing this check. 

(Added April 4, 2016)

Massachusetts Massachusetts Department of 

Criminal Justice Information Services None at this time 

Michigan Michigan Department of State Police, 

Criminal Justice Information Center None at this time 
9 

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

Minnesota

Department of Public Safety, 

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 

(BCA)

You may use the Minnesota BCA’s Computerized 

Criminal History for individuals 32 years of age or under.

(Added July 22, 2016)

Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal

Information Center

Organizations may use the Mississippi Department of 

Health’s Criminal History Record Check Division, which 

utilizes the Department of Public Safety repository.

(Added April 4, 2016)

Missouri Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal 

Records and Identification Division 

The Missouri Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR)

operated by the Missouri Department of Health and 

Senior Services (http://health.mo.gov/safety/fcsr/) is an

acceptable alternate source when the following 

condition has been met by the program using the FCSR: 

The program must ensure that individual being 

checked has been registered into the FCSR and 

received his/her notice from the FCSR that registration 

has been accepted.

Montana 

Montana Department of Justice,

Justice

Information Services Division 

A fingerprint-based search by the Oregon Department 

of Human Services or the Wyoming Division of Criminal 

Investigation. (See the relevant state listings in this 

document for web addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

A fingerprint-based check by the Washington State 

Patrol will indicate only if there is a record of the 

individual in the Montana repository. If you receive this 

notification, you must conduct a full Montana state 

check using the designated repository to the left.

(Added November 30, 2015)

Nebraska 

Nebraska State Patrol, Investigation 

Services

Division 

As of March 2016, the Nebraska State Patrol has 

stopped offering fingerprint-based checks to 

organizations that do not receive an adjudication from 

an authorized entity. All organizations may still receive 

name-based checks.

(Updated April 4, 2016)
10

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

Nevada Nevada Department of Public Safety

A fingerprint-based check by the Montana Department 

of Justice, the Oregon Department of Human Services 

or the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. (See 

the relevant state listings in this document for web 

addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

A fingerprint-based check by the Washington State 

Patrol will indicate only if there is a record of the 

individual in the Nevada repository. If you receive this 

notification, you must conduct a full Nevada state 

check using the designated repository to the left.

(Added November 30, 2015)

New 

Hampshire 

New Hampshire State Police, Justice 

Information Bureau

(Bureau name updated April 1, 2022) 

None at this time

New 

Jersey

New Jersey State Police, Records & 

Identification Section None at this time

New 

Mexico

Department of Public Safety, Technical

and Emergency Support Division 

The New Mexico Department of Health Caregivers 

Criminal History Screening Program (CCHSP) 

Note: This service may not be available to all recipients. 
11

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

New York NY State Division of Criminal Justice

Services, Office of Operations and 

Systems 

New York State Office of Court Administration

(OCA).

Go Pass: Eligible recipients may rely on clearances 

issued by the Go Pass system, operated via a 

partnership between NYC Service and the NYC 

Department of Education, for New York State and FBI 

checks. This system documents fingerprint-based New 

York state-level criminal history information and 

nationwide FBI checks. Go Pass clearance is 

available for volunteers (not employees). Non-profits

using Go Pass are not required to be based in New 

York City, but the individual being cleared must serve 

in one of the five New York City boroughs. To satisfy 

AmeriCorps regulations on retaining check results, 

recipients must retain a dated printout of the Go Pass 

system query reflecting that an individual’s cleared

status existed at the time the print-out was produced. 

(Updated April 4, 2016)

PETS: Eligible recipients may rely on clearances issued 

by the New York City Department of Education’s 

Personnel Eligibility Tracking System (PETS) for New York 

State and FBI checks. Recipients must retain a dated 

printout or screenshot reflecting the individual’s 

“Satisfactory” clearance and the individual’s 

Fingerprint / DOE Record details when offenses are 

identified.

(Added April 4, 2016)

North 

Carolina 

North Carolina Bureau of Investigation 

Identification Section 

North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts 

(NCAOC) 

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation,

Information

None at this time 

Northern 

Mariana 

Islands

Department of Public Safety The Clerk of Court of CNMI

(Added November 30, 2015)

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, 

Information Services Division

None at this time 

Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, Information 

Services Division None at this time 
12

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

Oregon

Oregon State Police Open Records 

Section (Name-Based) 

Oregon Department of Human 

Services Background Check Unit 

(Fingerprint-Based)

(Updated April 4, 2016)

The DHS offers fingerprint-based checks to businesses or 

organizations that provide care or placement services 

for youth, elderly persons or dependent persons; license 

or certify others to provide these services; and are not 

governed by a state regulatory or licensing agency. 

Contact DHS using the link to the left to learn more. You 

must include “This position is subject to the Serve 

America Act” in the Description of Duties field in each 

request.

(Updated April 4, 2016)

A fingerprint-based check by the Montana Department 

of Justice or the Wyoming Division of Criminal 

Investigation. (See the relevant state listings in this 

document for web addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

A fingerprint-based check by the Washington State 

Patrol will indicate only if there is a record of the 

individual in the Oregon repository. If you receive this 

notification, you must conduct a full Oregon state check 

using the designated repository to the left.

(Added November 30, 2015)

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of 

Records & Information Services None at this time

Puerto Rico

Police of Puerto Rico, Certificate of 

Penal Record/Policía de Puerto Rico, 

Certificado de Antecedentes Penales

(Updated May 27, 2015)

None at this time

Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General, 

Bureau of Criminal Identification None at this time

South 

Carolina

South Carolina Law Enforcement 

Division None at this time

South Dakota Office of the Attorney General, Division 

of Criminal Investigation None at this time

Tennessee Tennessee Bureau of Investigation None at this time 

Texas

Texas Department of 

Public Safety, Crime 

Records Service

http://www.txdps.state.tx.

us/

None at this time Texas Department of Public Safety,

Crime Records Services 

None at this time
13

State AmeriCorps Designated Repository

Agency

Alternative Statewide Source Approved

By AmeriCorps and Advisory Notes

Utah Utah Department of Public Safety 

A fingerprint-based check by the Montana Department 

of Justice, the Oregon Department of Human Services 

or the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. (See 

the relevant state listings in this document for web 

addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

A fingerprint-based check by the Washington State 

Patrol will indicate only if there is a record of the 

individual in the Utah repository. If you receive this 

notification, you must conduct a full Utah state check 

using the designated repository to the left.

(Added November 30, 2015)

Vermont Department of Public Safety, Crime

Information Center None at this time

Virgin

Islands

VI Police Department, Records Bureau 

Records Management Officer None at this time 

Virginia Virginia State Police, Bureau of

Administration & Support Service None at this time

Washington Washington State Patrol, Criminal 

Records Division 

A fingerprint-based check by the Montana Department 

of Justice, the Oregon Department of Human Services 

or the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. (See 

the relevant state listings in this document for web 

addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

West Virginia West Virginia State Police None at this time

Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime

Information Bureau None at this time 

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation

A fingerprint-based check by the Montana Department 

of Justice or the Oregon Department of Human 

Services. (See the relevant state listings in this 

document for web addresses.)

(Added November 30, 2015)

A fingerprint-based check by the Washington State 

Patrol will indicate only if there is a record of the 

individual in the Wyoming repository. If you receive this 

notification, you must conduct a full Wyoming state 

check using the designated repository to the left.

(Added November 30, 2015)
14

FBI Check Guidance 

For grant and sub grant recipients (recipients) who do not use AmeriCorps approved vendor, 

Fieldprint, to obtain FBI checks, AmeriCorps has identified the state criminal history record repository

to obtain FBI checks. Most state criminal history information repositories can provide FBI checks along 

with state checks. 

An FBI check is a fingerprint‐based search of the FBI’s national criminal history database. It returns 

information from all states and territories in the United States, in contrast to state checks, which are

geographically limited. 

While an FBI check covers a broad geographical area, it relies on data reported by the states and

territories. The information reported varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Consequently, its coverage 

is broad, but not necessarily deep. Combining an FBI check with state checks in an individual’s state

of residence and state of service offers the best combination of breadth and depth to ensure a

thorough search.

In most cases, the FBI checks you receive will only indicate whether an individual has cleared or not 

cleared a check against a certain list of criteria, as the FBI generally does not permit the release of

criminal history information to entities that are not authorized by law to receive it. 

Consequently, you must understand the screening criteria used by the agency that conducts an FBI

check to act on results appropriately. At a minimum, AmeriCorps requires that these criteria include 

individuals convicted of murder and individuals required to register as sex offenders. Your state

repository may allow you to add additional screening criteria. Some states may use their own 

processes for reviewing and screening applicants for certain types of positions. If you use a state 

repository, contact the repository if you are unsure of the criteria used.

Organizations that legally are authorized by law to receive criminal history information must 

adjudicate all the results. The adjudication must be documented. If the individual is convicted of 

murder, listed on a sex offender registry, or required to be on a sex offender registry, the individual is 

ineligible to work/serve in a covered position. 

Retain your date-stamped result and adjudication to demonstrate that results were considered even 

if there are no hits. The regulations require you to document that the results were considered when 

selecting the individual.
15

Documentation and Compliance Checklist 

The grant recipient must maintain adequate documentation of their NSCHC process and practices 

as well as documentation of individual NSCHC grant records. 

□ Evidence of adopted NSCHC Policies and Procedures

o Describes how grant recipient will address all NSCHC requirements, including the 

AmeriCorps approved sources to be used for conducting NSCHC and practices for 

documenting adherence to NSCHC eligibility determination and timing requirements

o Describes practices for protecting information related to NSCHC. Grant recipients must 

take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of any information relating to the 

criminal history check, consistent with authorization provided by the applicant. 

o Describes adopted procedures for informing individuals of their rights related to NSCHC 

and how NSCHC results will be used by the program

o Where applicable, describes process for monitoring NSCHC of sub-recipients and/or 

service locations

o Describes how notice is provided to an individual that selection into the program is 

contingent upon the organization’s review of the individual’s NSCHC component 

results, if any; and

o Describes how the program complies with the requirements to provide a reasonable 

opportunity for the individual to review and challenge the factual accuracy of 

the result before action is taken to exclude the candidate from the position

□ Evidence of required annual staff training by retaining certificate of completion of the 

AmeriCorps e-course training

o Ensure staff retake the course prior to expiration of the certificate. Retain certificates of 

completion from each year as grant records.

Grant Recipients must follow these steps to document the NSCHC Process for each individual file: 

□ Evidence that all required components (NSOPW, State(s), and FBI checks) were completed and 

on file (45 CFR §2540.206)

o All required components (NSOPW, State(s), and FBI) were conducted on time (45 CFR 

§2540.205) and documentation reflects evidence of when checks were reviewed 

(adjudicated) and considered when making an eligibility determination

□ All required components ((NSOPW, State(s), and FBI checks) were conducted through sources 

authorized by AmeriCorps (45 CFR §2540.204) and are consistent with the sources described in 

the grant recipient’s adopted NSCHC policies and procedures 

□ Evidence that NSOPW results include searches from all States, Territories, and Indian Tribes (45 

CFR §2540.204)

□ Evidence that First and Last Names used on name-based checks reflect the current name of 

the individual

o Documents used to determine an individual’s first and last name must be consistent 

with sources described in the grant recipient’s adopted NSCHC policies and 

procedures. Refer to agency guidance on name-based checks in the NSCHC Manual. 
16

□ Documentation of consent from the candidate to conduct State and FBI checks and share 

results (45 CFR §2540.206)

□ Documentation that the candidate is eligible to serve/work if a vendor returns a “do not 

recommend” result for the candidate (45 CFR §2540.206)

o NOTE: A vendor’s adjudication recommendation not to "recommend” the candidate 

indicates that the selecting organization needs more information before it can make a 

final determination as to the fitness of the individual to work or serve. It does not mean 

that an individual is ineligible for work or service. 

o Grant recipients must maintain adequate documentation of the process implemented to 

make an eligibility determination and may include a contemporaneously dated memo 

to the file documenting determination of the individual’s eligibility.
17

FAQs

1.0 National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW.gov) Checks

1.1 If the FBI check captures crimes that are also identified on the sex offender registry and in state 

criminal history databases, why does AmeriCorps require separate checks of the NSOPW and state 

criminal history information databases? 

The Serve America Act specified the required NSCHC components for individuals in covered positions 

(42 USC 12645g). Each component pulls data from a different database, and no single database of 

criminal history information is complete. The NSOPW links public state, territory, and tribal sex offender 

registries in one national search site. 

1.2 When was the date stamp added to the NSOPW website? 

The date stamp was added September 4, 2013. Please note that an on-time NSOPW check has 

always been a compliance requirement for the NSCHC, but the NSOPW website did not always 

contain a date stamp. Before it did, recipients were required to print or otherwise maintain the 

NSOPW results in a way that displayed the date and time. 

2.0 Statewide Criminal History Checks

2.1 How far back do state repositories maintain data and how many years must I check? 

You must obtain data as far back as the approved sources provide criminal history information.

2.2 I run a child abuse registry check on my volunteers since they work with children and it is fitting for 

our program design. Is this a compliant check for the purposes of the NSCHC? 

Recipients should establish additional screening criteria that are appropriate for their program design 

and beneficiaries, in addition to the NSCHC baseline requirements. Child abuse registry checks are 

one example of checks that can be used to supplement the minimum NSCHC requirements but 

running this check alone is not sufficient to meet the NSCHC requirements. 

2.3 We operate a nationwide program that places people in many states. Must we check each 

person against their state of residence in addition to every state in which we operate? 

Nationwide programs do not need to check more than two statewide repositories for a candidate. 

You must check the statewide repository for the state where the applicant resided upon application 

and the statewide repository for the state where the person will be assigned to work or serve.

3.0 FBI Checks

3.1 May I have AmeriCorps’s Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) number to give to my state 

repository? 

AmeriCorps does not have an ORI number. If recipients face any challenges obtaining NSCHC, use 

Fieldprint and Truescreen. 
18

3.2 Are we allowed to negotiate with state and local law enforcement to obtain checks at reduced 

cost? 

We have been informed that in some cases programs have been able to negotiate with state and 

local law enforcement to help them obtain checks at reduced cost, and recipients may initiate 

these discussions. 

4.0 Documentation for NSCHC Requirements 

4.1 The results we receive do not appear to be actual criminal history records but rather summaries 

and conclusions on the person’s suitability. Should we ask the repository for the detailed record? 

State repositories issue either “rap sheets” or summary, adjudicated results. Adjudicated results 

typically present a “cleared,” “not cleared,” “undetermined” or similar summary result. You should 

contact the repository to obtain a list of disqualifying offenses and explanations for what the 

responses mean. If someone does not clear, you must determine if the disqualifying offense was one 

that AmeriCorps uses to determine eligibility, or if it is an offense that your program considers to be 

disqualifying. Except when the FBI releases the NSCHC result directly to the person who is being 

checked, the FBI checks that are released to our recipients by state repositories and other authorized 

governmental bodies (including Fieldprint) typically provide adjudicated summary results. 

4.2 What if my state either doesn’t allow my program to maintain the results of the criminal history 

checks or limits the amount of time that results can be maintained? (Updated 11/30/23) 

See also #6.6 in the general NSCHC FAQ resource on the NSCHC webpage. The regulations require 

you to retain the NSOPW and criminal history information results. If state law prohibits or limits you in 

retaining this documentation, use AmeriCorps approved vendors Truescreen and Fieldprint.