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# Licensee Criminal History Records Checks & Firearms Background Check Information

This webpage is to assist licensees with submitting Criminal History Records Checks and Firearms Background Checks.

On this page:
        - What types of checks can be requested?
        - How do I submit a request for a Criminal History Records Check?
        - How do I request a Firearms Background Check?
        - How do I determine how much to pay for the request?
        - How do I pay for the requests?
        - For further assistance
        - Resources

## What types of checks can be requested?

There are two different types of checks that can be requested.

A **Criminal History Records Check** is requested by a licensee, licensee contractor, applicant, certificate holder, etc., in accordance with Commission Orders and/or requirements to obtain information on an individual's criminal activity to included charges, arrests, prosecutions, criminal cases, court information, and dispositions of cases. The check is conducted by capturing the individual's fingerprints, submitted thru the NRC to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and compared those to individuals who have criminal records. The submitting licensee, applicant, certificate holder, etc. receives the individual's criminal history information to make determinations for those who need unescorted access to a nuclear power reactor, a non-power reactor facility, access to Safeguards Information, and/or unescorted access to Category 1 or Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials in accordance with Commission Orders and/or requirements in Title 10 *U.S. Code of Federal Regulations*.

The **Firearms Background Check**is requested by a licensee to meet Commission Orders to ensure security officers at a licensee facility are acceptable for carrying specific types of firearms. NRC licensees who have been approved for "combined enhanced weapons authority and preemption authority" or "stand-alone preemption authority" are required to conduct firearms background checks on their security personnel whose official duties require access to covered weapon, including enhanced weapons under Section 161A of the *Atomic Energy Act of 1954*, as amended. Firearms Background Checks are submitted to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to determine an individual's eligibility or restrictions for holding a firearm. The firearms background check results are provided to the submitting licensee in one of three ways:
        - Proceed – The individual is allowed to carry or gain access to any type of weapon.
        - Delay – FBI might need more information; however, the individual can still carry/have access to weapons (except enhanced weapons (e.g. automatic weapons)).
        - Deny – The individual is prohibited from carrying or gaining access to any kind of weapon. The individual has a right to appeal with the FBI, if a denial response is received.

## How do I submit a request for a Criminal History Records Check?

These are step by step instructions for requesting a criminal history records check:
        - Blank fingerprint cards (FD-258) are required in order to start the process. If you need to obtain FD-258 fingerprint cards, contact the NRC by sending an email to  CrimHist.Resource@nrc.gov  and the NRC will provide you with the cards. Please include in your e-mail the number of cards needed and the address where the fingerprint cards should be sent.
        - Criminal History Record Checks can either be requested electronically through the Electronic Information Exchange (EIE) or manually by mailing a hardcopy to the NRC. Please use one of the methods listed below:	           - Electronic  Submission		             - Obtain Digital Certificate by following these  instructions .  			For help with installing digital credentials, please contact the EIE helpdesk at 866-672-7640.
            - Install Digital Certificates by following these  instructions .  			For further assistance with installing digital credentials, contact the EIE helpdesk at 866-672-7640.
            - Request a Criminal History Record Check, go to the  Criminal History  page in EIE and follow these  instructions . 	 	           - Manual  Submission:		             - When submitting the fingerprint card for processing, please make sure the top of the card has been completely filled out using blue or black ink, or is typed.
            - The package must contain:			               - the fingerprint card(s) (FD-258)
              - the approved Reviewing Official Memorandum and Trustworthiness and Relability Letter
              - a check or money order made out to "U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission" ( payment instructions are below ) or proof of payment through Pay.gov*. Each person needing a criminal history check requires a payment of  $32, effective February 1, 2024  ( payment instructions are below ). 
            - Mail the package to:			 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission			Director, Division of Physical and Cyber Security Policy			Attn: Criminal History Program/Mail Stop – T-07D04M			11545 Rockville Pike			Rockville, MD 20852 

* Checks and money orders will only be accepted for payment through September 30, 2024.  Effective October 1, 2024, the NRC will only accept electronic payment methods (i.e., debit or credit card or electronic funds transfer (e-check)) using pay.gov. To apply for a pay.gov account, follow the instructions at Pay.gov.  After you have created your account, forward your ‘first and last name’, ‘company name’, ‘phone number’, and ‘username’ to the NRC’s crimhist.resource@nrc.gov mailbox so the criminal history staff can link your pay.gov account to the appropriate application for fingerprint requests (i.e., NRCPRINTS).Please see the Criminal History User Guide for detailed instructions.

## How do I request a Firearms Background Check?

Firearms Background Checks can only be requested manually. Follow the instructions below to submit a Firearms Background Check:
        - For each individuals being checked, provide the NRC with identifying information and associated fingerprint cards.	 - Name
- Date of Birth
- Citizenship
- Address
- Signature
- Sex
- Height
- Weight
- Eye Color
- Hair Color
- Place of Birth
- Social Security Number
- Race
 
        - Include payment or proof of payment for each individual's background check. Each person checked requires a $70.00 payment. Include a print out of the confirmation page from Pay.gov as proof of payment or check or money order made out to "U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission."
        - Mail the request to:	 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission	Director, Division of Physical and Cyber Security Policy	Attn: Criminal History Program/Mail Stop – T-07D04M	11545 Rockville Pike	Rockville, MD 20852 

## How do I determine how much to pay for the request?

The fees associated with the requests are subject to periodic adjustment.

**Criminal History Records Check**: $32.00 per individual's record check submitted – Effective February 1, 2024.
> 
*For example: Five people need to have criminal history records checks. The cost for 5 people today in this example is $160.00.*

**Firearms Background Check**: $70.00 per individual's background check submitted
> 
*For example: Five people need to have criminal history records checks. The cost for 5 people today in this example is $350.00.*

## How do I pay for the requests?

The NRC’s preferred method of payment is electronic through pay.gov.  However, payments may be made electronically or manually.
        -  **Electronic** Payments using Pay.gov:            -  When you are ready to make a payment electronically, go to **Pay.gov**, and follow these instructions. 
          -  Include the Pay.gov confirmation page in the package as proof of payment. 
        -  Pay with a **check or money order**            -  **Make checks and money orders out to "U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission"** 
          -  **Send the check or money order with the associated request to:**  **U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission		Director, Division of Physical and Cyber Security Policy		Attn: Criminal History Program/Mail Stop – T-07D04M		11545 Rockville Pike		Rockville, MD 20852** 

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## **For further assistance**

**Criminal History Program:**
> **Phone: (301) 415-7513CrimHist.Resource@nrc.gov**

** **

**Electronic Submission using EIE:**
> **Phone: 866-672-7640help_desk_resource@nrc.gov**

** **

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## **Resources**

        - Criminal History User Guide
        - Criminal History in EIE for Electronic Submission of Fingerprints
        - Pay.gov

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, February 12, 2024

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Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, February 12, 2024