National Service Criminal History Check Steps: Effective May 1, 2021

Grant Recipient action using NSOPW.gov and State Repository for NSOPW, State and FBI 

checks

NSCHC Tip Grant Recipient action when using agency approved vendors for 

NSOPW, State and FBI checks

How vendors assist NSCHC process

Policies and 

Procedures

Develop and maintain your organization’s NSCHC policies and 

procedures

See Office of Monitoring’s Recommendations for Effective 

NSCHC Policy and Procedures

Develop and maintain your organization’s NSCHC 

policies and procedures

NSCHC Annual ECourse

Take NSCHC annual e-course training (and maintain documentation) eCourse training should be completed by the individual 

responsible for conducting NSCHC

Take NSCHC annual e-course training 

(and maintain documentation)

Consent Obtain and maintain a person’s consent before conducting the state and 

FBI components of the National Service Criminal History Check

• As soon as you selected a candidate, begin the NSCHC

process.

• Remember all checks must be completed and eligibility 

must be determined no later than the day before an 

individual starts work/service!

• If an individual refuses to consent to NSCHC, they are 

ineligible to serve/work

Vendors will capture and maintain consent from applicant

Service/Work is 

contingent on 

NSCHC

Provide and maintain notice that selection for work or service is 

contingent upon the organization’s review of the NSCHC component 

results

Vendors will provide and document notice the applicant understands 

that selection for work or service is contingent upon the organization’s 

review of the NSCHC component results

Conduct the checks Go directly to: NSOPW.gov to conduct NSOPW checks; State criminal 

history repository or CNCS designated alternative to conduct State of 

Service and Residence checks and FBI checks

• State of Residence Checks: The state the individual is in 

physically at the time of application

• If an individual refuses to consent to NSCHC, they are 

ineligible to serve/work

• Applicants seeking to serve or work in a position that 

requires NSCHC may not be charged for the cost of any 

component of a National Service Criminal History Check.

• Order NSOPW and State checks from agency 

approved vendor, Truescreen

• Provide AmeriCorps Fieldprint code to applicant 

to set up a fingerprinting appointment

Receive the results Receive the Results; Turnaround time varies by state • Receive the Results

Average turnaround time: 

• Truescreen: 1-5 days

• Fieldprint: 2 days 

Adjudicate Adjudicate the Results

• Suitability is determined in by the grant recipients and 

subrecipients, or service sites. The suitability criteria must 

consistent with state and federal Civil Rights and 

nondiscrimination laws.

• An individual may be eligible to work or serve in a 

position, but a grant recipient, subrecipient, or service 

site may determine that an individual is not suitable to 

work or serve in such a position based on criteria that the 

grant recipient or subrecipient or service site establishes.

• If the individual is registered, or is required to be 

registered, on a state sex offender registry or the 

National Sex Offender Registry; or has been convicted of 

murder, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1111., they are ineligible 

to serve/work

Review adjudication recommendations Vendors will provide an adjudication recommendation.

Document 

Adjudication

Document adjudication decision Document adjudication decision in vendor system

Opportunity to 

Challenge

Grantees must provide a reasonable opportunity for the person to review 

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

exclude the person from the position. This must be documented.

Vendors will notify and provide opportunity for applicant to review and 

challenge the review and challenge the factual accuracy of a result 

before action is taken to exclude the person from the position. Vendor 

will also maintain this documentation.

Protect Information Grantee must take reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of any 

information relating to the criminal history check, consistent with 

authorization provided by the applicant

Vendor systems protects PII; if grantees print any documentation be sure 

to protect the confidentiality of any information