MCERT

Masters Certification Program (MCERT)
for Elementary & Secondary Education

Current Students: Fingerprinting Information: Howard County

Procedures for Obtaining a Criminal Background Check

You may get fingerprinted at one of the Maryland state police barracks or at the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections in Baltimore.  The cost for fingerprinting at the police barracks is $10 ($5 per card).  The cost for fingerprinting at CJIS is a flat fee of $20. 

In addition to the fingerprinting fee, there is a $37.25 charge (fee is subject to change without notice) for obtaining a full (state and FBI) background check.  If you get fingerprinted through the police department, the total cost for the criminal background check should be $47.25; background checks completed at CJIS cost $57.25.  Although more expensive, CJIS offers fingerprinting hours throughout the entire week and even on some Saturdays.  The police barracks provide fingerprinting during limited hours (see table below).

You will need to obtain the fingerprinting cards at the police barracks or at CJIS.  You should indicate that you are applying for a criminal background check for childcare and provide the UMCP authorization number (9000043872) and agency name/address (University of Maryland, College of Education, 1204 Benjamin Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742).  Specific instructions for fingerprinting through the Maryland State Police are provided below.  The procedures for obtaining a background check through CJIS follow.

Fingerprinting Procedures:  Maryland State Police

In order to be fingerprinted by the Maryland State Police, you must appear in person at a Maryland State Police Barrack on the day they provide fingerprinting services. At that time you must present a valid form of government-issued photo identification and a check or money order for $5.00 for each fingerprint card required (two are required).  You will then have your fingerprints taken.  The fingerprint schedule and times for each of the Maryland State Police Barracks follow:

After you have been fingerprinted, you should return the cards to the Office of Student Services in the College of Education (1204 Benjamin Building) along with a check or money order for $37.25 made out to “University of Maryland.”  Student Services will forward your fingerprint cards to CJIS, where your fingerprints will be checked against state and FBI databases.   (If you have questions about this process, contact Dr. Kathy Angeletti or Ms. Janis Cornell-DeMoss; 301/405-2364).

Criminal Background Check Procedures:  CJIS

The CJIS location (6776 Reisterstown Road, 1st Floor, Suite 102, Baltimore, Maryland 21215) is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., and the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   As already noted, CJIS charges a flat fee of $20 for fingerprinting, in addition to the criminal background processing charge of $37.25 (FEES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE).  Studends pay the $20 fee directly to CJIS. The $37.25 fee will be billed to the University. Students should provide CJIS with the UM BILLING AUTHORIZATION NUMBER:  9000043872. All CJIS fees must be paid by check or money order in United States currency. The Central Repository cannot accept cash, credit, debit or ATM cards.  If you get fingerprinted at CJIS, you will not be given the fingerprinting cards.  Instead, you will be issued a receipt, which should be returned to Student Services.   (Questions about this process should be directed to Dr. Kathy Angeletti or Ms. Janis Cornell-DeMoss; 301/405-2364).