About NCESD Fingerprinting Services
The North Central Educational Service District provides digital fingerprinting services to individuals working, applying, or being contracted for a position at a Washington State school district, as per RCW 28A.410.010 and RCW 28A.400.303.
We use CrossMatch Technologies from the Live Scan Management Software. If your fingerprints are of good quality, live-scan reduces the turnaround time to obtain the results.
However, if your fingerprints are of poor quality they will be rejected by the Washington State Patrol or FBI, and you will be notified by your school district or by a letter to the address provided in your paperwork. The letter will include the next steps to take and enclose will be a copy of the rejection notice. Once you receive this letter, please give us a call to schedule a second appointment to be fingerprinted again using the ink and roll method.
Our Fingerprinting department is located on the 1st floor of our building located at 430 Olds Station Road, Wenatchee.
Services & Fees
Digital Fingerprinting
NCESD offers Digital Fingerprinting services exclusively for:
- Certified and classified staff applying or being hired by a school district
- Staff trying to obtain or renew certification
- Student at a university/college/state program completing student teaching
Fingerprinting services are available by appointment only Monday – Friday. There is a fee of $95 for digital fingerprinting.
Ink Card Fingerprinting
Ink Card services are offered to:
- New hires/applicants whose employer requires background check (Ex: Banks, Casinos, law enforcement, forestry.)
- Real Estate licensing
- Fostering
- Out of state background
- Other legal reasons
There is a fee of $95 for Ink Card Fingerprinting. Ink cards are provided by NCESD if needed. It is up to the individual to submit these cards to the appropriate entity required for their license/permit/background.
Schedule An Appointment
Please schedule an appointment using our online calendar. Expect your appointment to take 15-30 minutes and please bring a picture ID (preferably a driver’s license).
Payment Options
We accept a variety of payment options, including:
- During your appointment, you can pay with a debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover – we DO NOT accept cash or check)
- Purchase Order or authorization letter from your school district. Please bring the form with you to your appointment or have your school district email us the authorization form
- Use the button below to pay ahead of time via our online payment portal (authorize.net). If you choose to pre-pay online, please bring payment confirmation to your appointment.
Pay Ahead (via authorize.net)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are my fingerprint records valid for?
Two years from the clearance date received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Your school district can look you up on the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Fingerprint Records database to see if your records are current, or you can call as too.
I was just fingerprinted for another job, TSA pre-check, or my conceal and carry permit, can I just use those prints for my background check?
No, Washington State law does not allow substitute versions of any fingerprint record checks. The law is detailed under WAC 392.300 and RCW 28A.400.
I had my prints taken at a local law enforcement office, where do I send them to?
The fingerprint card needs to be mailed to OSPI along with the $45.25 fee (check, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to OSPI) to:
OSPI
Attn: Fiscal Office
PO Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
OSPI will submit your fingerprint card to WSP and FBI. The turnaround time for this process is approximately 2-4 weeks. Results will be posted on the OSPI Fingerprint Records database.
For further information and access to resources on Fingerprints & Background Checks, please contact the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Fingerprints & Background Checks unit at at:
Website: https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/fingerprints-background-checks
Phone: 360-725-6135
Email: OPPFP@k12.wa.us
