Idaho Real Estate Commission Official Home Page

Fingerprints

Idaho license law requires fingerprinting and a criminal background check for all new license applicants. You must receive your fingerprint clearance before submitting your license application. Please do not send in your fingerprint card and license application at the same time. IREC must have approved fingerprints on file before accepting a license application.

Contact IREC to obtain a fingerprint card

Take the fingerprint card to the nearest law enforcement agency or Pearson Vue (formerly Promissor) test center to be fingerprinted. You may be charged a fee for this service, which is separate from the fee charged by IREC to process your fingerprints.

Submit your fingerprint card to IREC within 120 days from the fingerprinting date, and make sure to include the $29.25 fingerprint processing fee. Please make sure the information on the top of the card is completely filled out. Failure to do so will result in the card being returned to you, which will delay your approval.

Fingerprints found to be unreadable due to smudges, etc. will require a new fingerprint card be made and submitted to the Commission. IREC will not charge an additional processing fee; however, the facility providing fingerprinting services may require additional fees.

Here are 3 guidelines, provided by the Department of Law Enforcement, which will help you submit clear, readable fingerprints and expedite your fingerprint approval:

Be sure your hands are clean when your fingerprints are taken. Oil or grease on the fingertips will prevent a clean, readable print.
If it is not possible for you to submit a better fingerprint due to injury of a fingertip, ask the official taking the fingerprints to note this on your card.
There is a space marked “aliases, aka” on the fingerprint card. Please use this space to state all other names you have used in your formal records (including your maiden name).

NEW: Register an IREC User ID and password for IREC’s online services at www.irec.idaho.gov as soon as you submit your fingerprint card. This will allow you to monitor the process of your fingerprints and license application online. IREC will send you a letter when your fingerprints have cleared. No results will be given over the phone.

The Commission forwards fingerprint cards once a week to the Idaho Department of Law Enforcement. The Department performs a state screening and sends the cards to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, DC for a national screening. Finally, the cards or a report (if applicable) are returned to the Commission for review.
This process can take up to 3 weeks to complete.

When the Commission receives fingerprint results, a letter of approval is sent to those whose fingerprints have been cleared by the FBI. Fingerprint results are valid for six (6) months from the date of the Commission’s letter of fingerprint approval.

A candidate with prior felony conviction(s) should request an exemption review at the time of submitting a fingerprint card to the Commission.