Fingerprints for Criminal History Record Check—Effective July 1, 2011

Legal Authority

·         Wyoming Insurance Code §§26-9-206, 26-9-211, 26-9-219, and 26-9-220.

·         Wyoming Criminal History Records Act §7-19-201(a)

Who Must Submit to Fingerprinting

·         Resident Licensees

·         Nonresident Adjusters Designating Wyoming as their home state.

Initial License Defined

·         Fingerprints are required for the applicant’s “initial” license.

·         Initial license means:

o   First insurance license with the Department requiring a background check.

o   Previous licensee who is past the 12-month reinstatement period.

·         Fingerprints are not required of persons transferring a resident license from another state.

Fee for Criminal History Record Check

·         Fee $39.00

·         Fee may be included with the appropriate application fee.

·         If applying by paper, send the criminal history record fee to the Department with the insurance license application.

·         If applying electronically, mail the criminal history record fee in the amount of $39 to the Department.  Ensure that the name of the applicant is included with the check.

Fingerprint Cards and Instructions

·         Effective July 1, 2011.

·         Upon receipt of licensing application and appropriate fees, the Department will send a fingerprint packet to the applicant.

·         Instructions, cards and return envelopes will be included in the packet.

·         Applicants will make arrangements with local law enforcement to obtain fingerprints.

·         The Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Cheyenne provides fingerprint services by appointment.

·         Applicants must use the fingerprint cards provided by the Department.

·         Local law enforcement and DCI will charge a fee to complete the cards.  This fee is the responsibility of the applicant and is generally $5.

·         The Insurance Department will obtain the criminal history report from DCI.

·         All criminal history reports and fingerprints cards are considered confidential information.

Timing

·         Criminal history reports may take up to 4 weeks from receipt of acceptable fingerprints.

·         Applications will not be processed until the criminal history report is received.

Role of Background Report in Licensing

·         Background checks are required by law to ensure that licensee is trustworthy, honest and fit for licensure pursuant to the Wyoming Insurance Code.

·         It is important that the applicant answer each question on the application honestly and provide required documentation.

·         Licenses will not be issued until the Department has determined that the individual meets all requirements and is fit for licensure.

·         Correspondence will be mailed to the applicant upon the Department's receipt of the criminal history report.