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DPSAC > Administrators > Understanding DPS Services > Fingerprint Services
Onboarding New Staff
DPSAC Process Overview
Understanding DPSAC Services
Traning, Resources & Forms for Current Staff
Onboarding New Staff
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DPSAC Process Overview
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Unerstanding DPSAC Services
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Training, Resources & Forms for Current Staff
For Administrators - Understanding DPS Services
Fingerprint Services
Fingerprint Services

As mentioned under the DPS Process Overview, administrative sponsorship and, if applicable, employment eligibility verification for foreign nationals must be completed before DPS can begin the process. Afterwards, DPS can begin the process in the following order: (1) Prescreening, (2) Badge Enrollment, (3) Badge Authorization and (4) Adjudication​.

Note: Please review the FBI Privacy Act statement, which describes how applicant's fingerprints are used during the federal vetting process. Procedures for obtaining a change, correction or update of an FBI criminal history record are set forth at 28 CFR 16.34. Information regarding this process may be found here.


Summary of the Two Main Fingerprint Services We Offer:

Individuals are required to provide Crossmatch fingerprints in order to complete the DPS Prescreening process. Crossmatch fingerprints are used for the sole purpose of running a FBI criminal history check.

Individuals located more than 50 miles from an NIH PIV Card Issuance Facility (PCIF) can utilize Fieldprint, a remote third party tool that DPS uses to capture Crossmatch fingerprints for Prescreening before getting cleared for Enrollment. You may find PCIFs located at the NIH Main Office Location in Building 31 and at Other DPS Locations (PCIFs).

Individuals are required to provide fingerprints when completing the Badge Enrollment Process, which are used and tied to their NIH PIV/RLA badge. Individuals must make an appointment for Badge Enrollment.

You may view the tabs on the left to further understand each of these fingerprint services in more detail.


Please also look at the chart below to understand these two different types of fingerprint services we offer, as these should not be confused with one another:​

Crossmatch Fingerprints for Prescreening & Background Investigations

PIV/RLA Badge Enrollment Fingerprints

What is it?
  • Crossmatch is a standalone fingerprint machine solely used to collect fingerprints for the purpose of running a FBI criminal history check.
  • These fingerprints are not tied to any badge.
  • These fingerprints must be captured at an Enrollment Workstation in an accredited PIV Card Issuance Facility (PCIF).
  • Fingerprints, identity proofing and a badge photo will be captured and will be tied to the individual's NIH badge.
When is it used?
  • Used during the Prescreening process to collect fingerprints for the criminal history check. This is done when the individual is either not ready for PIV Badge Enrollment in NED or cannot yet travel to an NIH facility to complete their PIV Badge Enrollment. This is also required for those who need a new background investigation even if they already have a badge.
  • Should be collected ASAP after an AO sponsors a badge for prescreening or background investigation.
  • The individual will receive emails to make this appointment (appt). Individuals must bring two forms of valid government issued IDs to their crossmatch appt.
  • Fingerprints for Enrollment can ONLY be completed when the NED Badge Tracking Status shows “Awaiting Applicant Enrollment.” Additionally, this may show up after the individual completes their prescreening process and is cleared for enrollment.
  • The individual will receive emails to make an enrollment appt. Individuals must bring two forms of valid government issued IDs to their appt for identity proofing.
Where to go?
  • Individuals located over 50 miles from NIH Bethesda Main Office (Building 31) can utilize Fieldprint, a tool DPSAC uses to capture fingerprints for prescreening.
  • Individuals located under 50 miles from NIH Bethesda Main Office (Building 31) must travel to this main location to submit fingerprints for prescreening or background investigation.
  • Fieldprint cannot be used for enrollment or badge issuance as it is not a PCIF. Those who used Fieldprint for prescreening will still need to complete PIV Badge Enrollment at an NIH PCIF.
  • The individual must travel and complete Enrollment at an accredited NIH PCIF to capture their Enrollment biometrics, identity proofing and photograph for the badge.


The individual must bring two forms of valid government identification, one of which must contain a picture and both identifications must have your name matched, to their appointments. Visit FIPS 201-3 PDF​​ to view a complete list of approved identification documents. Please note: It is illegal to use a photograph of any government ID badge. Section 701 of Chapter 33 of Title 18 of the United States Code (USC) covers the unauthorized creation of engravings, photographs, prints, or impressions of official badges, identification cards, and other insignia.