New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 45:1-30 et seq.) requires that every person who possesses a license or certificate as a health care professional MUST undergo a criminal history background check. Below you will find some frequently asked questions about the criminal history background check process.

1. How do I get a criminal history background check?

2. Where do I go for fingerprinting?

3. Where do I get fingerprinted if I do not live in New Jersey?

4. I have an old Sagem Morpho Form. Can I still use it?

5. I lost my Sagem Morpho / MorphoTrak Universal Form. Where can I get another one?

6. Can I renew my license once I get fingerprinted?

7. I recently had a background check done for another agency (e.g. the Department of Education, DYFS, etc.). Must I be fingerprinted again?

8. I have already had a background check done for another licensing board/committee within the Division of Consumer Affairs. Must I be fingerprinted again?

9. I missed my appointment with MorphoTrak. How can I reschedule?

10. Do I need to be fingerprinted if I put my license on inactive status?

11. I am having difficulty reaching MorphoTrak on the telephone. What should I do?

1. How do I get a criminal history background check?

Click here for the Steps for Fingerprinting Process

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2. Where do I go for fingerprinting?

If you live, work or attend school in the state of New Jersey, or in certain nearby communities surrounding the New Jersey boarder, you will be required to schedule a fingerprinting session directly with MorphoTrak, a private company under contract with the State. If your residence, work or school appears on the ZIP code list for nearby communities, you must schedule a fingerprinting appointment directly with MorphoTrak in New Jersey. However, you cannot schedule an appointment with MorphoTrak until you receive the MorphTrak Universal Fingerprinting Form.

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3. Where do I get fingerprinted if I do not live in New Jersey?

If you live beyond the New Jersey border and your ZIP code does not appear on the nearby community ZIP code list, you will be sent fingerprint cards which can be used by your local police department, another local law enforcement agency, a state police department or by your own states electronic fingerprinting company to record your fingerprints. Fingerprint cards and instructions will arrive with your MorphoTrak Universal Fingerprinting Form. (There may be a slight delay in the process of the criminal history background heck when using manual fingerprint cards.)

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4. I have an old Sagem Morpho Form. Can I still use it?

The Sagem Morpho Form, version 3.0, will be active until June 1, 2010. All previous versions have expired. (The version number located at the bottom left hand corner of your form.) Send your request for a new MorpohTrak Universal Fingerprinting Form to: S1804@dca.lps.state.nj.us. Be sure to include:

1. First and last name
2. Complete professional license number
3. Full mailing address
4. Daytime phone number where you can be contacted.

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5. I lost my Sagem Morpho / MorphoTrak Universal Fingerprinting Form. Where can I get another one?

You can send your request for a new MorphoTrak Universal Fingerprinting Form to: S1804@dca.lps.state.nj.us. Be sure to include:

1. First and last name
2. Complete professional license number
3. Full mailing address
4. Daytime phone number where you can be contacted.

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6. Can I renew my license once I get fingerprinted?

Once your fingerprints have been scanned by MorphoTrak they will be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to begin the criminal history background check. A renewal letter will be mailed to you after this process has been completed.

Please keep your PCN number with all of your licensing papers for future reference.

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7. I recently had a background check done for another agency (e.g. the Department of Education, DYFS, etc.). Must I be fingerprinted again?

Yes, you will need to get fingerprinted again for the Division of Consumer Affairs since the regulation concerning the dissemination of criminal history record information prohibits the sharing of the material for any reason other than the authorized and intended purpose for which it was gathered.

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8. I have already had a background check done for another licensing board/committee within the Division of Consumer Affairs. Must I be fingerprinted again?

If you have already been fingerprinted for a health care board for the Division of Consumer Affairs and you are still receiving notification to conduct the criminal history background check, you must notify the Division immediately with the following information:

1. First and last name
2. Professional license type and number (Please include all license numbers if you hold more than one license with the Division of Consumer Affairs.)
3. PCN (This number can be found at the bottom of your Sagem Morpho / MorphoTrak form.)
4. A daytime phone number where you can be contacted.

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9. I missed my appointment with MorphoTrak. How can I reschedule?

You will be charged $11 for your missed appointment, which will be charged against your original payment of $70.25. MorphoTrak will refund the remaining $59.25 back to your credit card (or other method of payment). You will be refunded the full amount ($70.25) if you cancelled your appointment before noon the day prior to your missed appointment. Please refer to MorphoTraks refund policy for further information.

You can use the same MorphoTrak form to reschedule your appointment. If rescheduling on line, you will log in as a 'new applicant. Be sure to write your new applicant ID number, scheduled site, date, time and payment authorization in the spaces provided at the bottom of the Universal Form. The statement, "Applicants Must Not Alter, Share, or Reuse This Form" is intended for the information provided at the top half of the page. When scheduling your appointment you will be asked for payment once again.

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10. Do I need to complete the criminal history background check if I intend to put my license on inactive status?

No, you will not need to complete the criminal history background check if your license is on inactive status. You will be required to complete the criminal history background check prior to reinstating. If you would like to change your status to inactive, please send your request to S1804@dca.lps.state.nj.us. Be sure to include:

1. First and last name
2. Professional license number
3. Full mailing address
4. A daytime phone number where you can be contacted if necessary.

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11. I am having difficulty reaching MorphoTrak on the telephone. What should I do?

If you are unable to reach a MorphoTrak operator, please try to utilize their website at: www.bioapplicant.com/nj or you may call back after business hours and leave a message including:

1. First and last name
2. Reason for the call
3. Daytime telephone number where you can be contacted. MorphoTrak will attempt to contact you within 24 hours.

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