Background Check Screening Process for Court Interpreter Registration

Level 2 Non-Criminal Justice Background Check Requirements—Board Operating Procedures

All applicants are required to undergo a comprehensive background check conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) before applying for registration, and, as applicable, renewal of registration.

1. Applicants are required to request authorization from the Office of the State Courts Administrator Court Interpreter Certification and Regulation Program and Court Interpreter Certification Board (the OSCA/CICRP) to undergo a Level 2 background check for purposes of determining initial registration and/or renewal of registration in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Board.

2. The OSCA/CICRP does not accept fingerprint results from other vendors or other states. The OSCA/CICRP does not share fingerprint results with other public or private entities, executive agencies (e.g., the Department of Legal Affairs, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Corrections, etc.), third-parties, or other states.

3. Upon authorization from the OSCA/CICRP, the applicant will be provided the Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number to be presented to a Livescan Service Provider, who will perform the fingerprint submission. Applicants are required to go to a Livescan Service Provider to be fingerprinted.

• A list of Livescan Service Providers within Florida is found at http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records/Documents/InternetDoc_ServiceProviders_June.aspx. This list should not be seen as an endorsement or recommendation of one product or business over another by the Board, the Office of the State Courts Administrator, or the Supreme Court of Florida, and does not imply any rating, ranking, or certification of the products or businesses themselves. This list is provided for informational purposes only. As provider prices will vary, applicants may wish to compare vendor fee schedules to obtain the best price. For reference, in addition to the Livescan Service Providers listed in the link above, Livescan fingerprints may also be taken at local law enforcement agencies (police department or sheriff’s office).
• The Livescan Service Provider will send the fingerprint submission directly to the FDLE.
• The cost of the background check is approximately $50 to $100 per person, which includes the FDLE fee, and the cost charged by the Livescan provider to perform the fingerprint submission. As previously noted, the cost may vary depending on the Livescan provider.

4. The OSCA/CICRP will receive the background check results from the FDLE.

5. Initial registration and/or renewal of registration applications will not be processed until the results of the background screening have been received by the OSCA/CICRP.

6. An applicant must submit their interpreter registration application within three months of being fingerprinted. Failure to do so will result in having to be re-fingerprinted at the applicant’s expense.

7. The OSCA/CICRP shall provide to the applicant written notice that his/her fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FDLE and the FBI. See Applicant Waiver Agreement and Statement (page 6) at the following link: http://www.flcourts.gov/content/download/866483/file/application-for-court-interpreterregistration.pdf#page=6

8. The OSCA/CICRP shall provide the applicant notice of any disciplinary inquiry that constitutes a change in status in accordance with Fla. R. Cert. & Reg. Ct. Interp. 14.405. The OSCA/CICRP shall advise the applicant that procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or updating of the FDLE or FBI criminal history are set forth in Section 943.056, Fla. Stat., Fla. Admin. Code 11C-8.001 and Title 28, C.F.R., Section 16.34. Upon written request, the OSCA/CICRP may provide a copy of the applicant’s criminal history to the applicant for their review and possible challenge. NOTE: The OSCA/CICRP only has access to the criminal history record report for six months after fingerprint submission. After such time, the applicant is required to submit a written request to the FDLE, or the FBI.

9. An applicant will be subject to disciplinary inquiry only in accordance with Fla. R. Cert. & Reg. Ct. Interp. 14.405 and section VII. of the disciplinary provisions of the Board Operating Procedures. When a determination of the applicant’s status is based solely on the FDLE or FBI criminal history, the OSCA/CICRP shall provide the applicant the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in the record. A determination of the applicant’s status will not be made until there is a disposition of the challenge with the reporting law enforcement agency and/or the FDLE.

10. An applicant shall provide written notice to the OSCA/CICRP regarding their challenge to a local law enforcement agency, the FDLE, or the FBI. Said notice shall be provided no later than thirty (30) days after the applicant has been provided notice of a disciplinary inquiry based solely on the FDLE or FBI criminal history. The applicant is also required to provide the OSCA/CICRP with ongoing status updates, including any withdrawal of the challenge, as well as the disposition of the criminal history record challenge.

CICB-BOP-020 | Adopted: 3/28/2023