Background Check Instructions

Criminal Background Check Instructions

All applicants for nursing licensure or endorsement must complete a West Virginia state and federal (FBI) fingerprint-based criminal background check through IdentoGO.

🚨 Important: Do Not Send Results Directly to the Board

The Board does not process fingerprint cards directly. Please do not upload background check results to your Nurse Portal, and do not send results via email or fax. The Board only receives official results electronically from IdentoGO or via unopened, official mail from authorized law enforcement agencies.

🔑 Official Board Service Code: 228NJX

You must enter this service code when registering on the IdentoGO portal to ensure your results are routed to the WV RN Board.

🌐 Schedule on IdentoGO 

Fingerprinting Procedures

West Virginia Residents

  1. Go to uenroll.identogo.com and enter Service Code 228NJX.
  2. Select Schedule or Manage Appointment to choose a location, date, and time.
  3. Write down your confirmation number and bring it along with required government identification to your appointment.
  4. Electronic results are transmitted directly to the Board within 2 to 3 business days.

Out-of-State Residents

  1. Visit uenroll.identogo.com and enter Service Code 228NJX to check for nearby enrollment centers.
  2. If no in-person site is available near you, select Submit a Fingerprint Card by Mail during registration.
  3. Complete hard-copy fingerprint cards (FD-258) and mail them according to IdentoGO card-scan instructions.

⚠️ Submission Window & Fingerprint Rejections

12-Month Eligibility Window: Criminal background check information can be submitted to the Board up to 12 months prior to graduation.

Double Rejection Assistance: Applicants whose fingerprint submissions are rejected twice by Idemia / IdentoGO due to unreadable prints must contact the Board office directly at rnboard@wv.gov or (304) 744-0900 for manual processing options.

Background Check Downloads & Resources

How to Challenge Inaccurate Background Check Results

If you believe your criminal background check contains inaccurate or incomplete information, you may request a change or correction by directly contacting the agency or court that originally submitted the record to the FBI.

For complete step-by-step guidance on challenging FBI identification records, review the official download above.

FBI Privacy Act Notice

Authority & Purpose: The FBI's acquisition, preservation, and exchange of fingerprints and associated information is authorized under 28 U.S.C. 534 and state statutes. Background checks are utilized exclusively for evaluating fitness for professional nursing licensure.

Need Assistance?

IdentoGO Enrollment Services: For help scheduling or managing an appointment, call 1-855-766-7746.

WV Board of Registered Nurses: For questions regarding licensure requirements or fingerprint rejections, email rnboard@wv.gov or call (304) 744-0900.