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Background Checks for Providers

Agency providers who have agreements through APS and Student, Family, and Community Supports must follow this process to complete their background checks.

Need Help?

Contact (SFCS) Executive Assistant Christine Jaramillo at (505) 855-9796 if you have questions or need assistance.

This process is for agency providers with agreements through APS and Student, Family, and Community Supports (SFCS) Division: 

  • Mental health providers
  • Nursing and counseling interns
  • Before/after-school providers

Getting Started

Information to Have

For Step 1 (Application)

Have the following information ready to complete the online application:

  • Payment of $44 (credit card, money order, or agency)
  • ORI and reason
  • Social security number

For Step 3 (Appointment)

Bring the following information to your appointment at City Center:

  • Driver's license
  • Completed SFCS Form
  • Gemalto payment receipt

Estimated Time to Complete

  • ???? minutes to begin and submit your application online
  • 15 minutes to complete the SFCS form prior to fingerprinting appointment at City Center
  • 15 minutes to complete the fingerprinting appointment at City Center
  • 2–3 weeks to process the fingerprinting clearance

Step 1: Start and Submit the Online Application

  1. Go to Gemalto Applicant Processing Services.
  2. Select "New Mexico."
  3. Select "Register for Online Background Check."
  4. Complete the highlighted, required fields on the application.
  5. Fill in your entire social security number on the application.
  6. After submitting your application, print the application payment receipt.
    Bring the receipt when you arrive for fingerprinting.

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment 

  1. Schedule an appointment through Calendly with APS Fingerprinting and Background Check Services.
  2. Select "Fingerprinting."
  3. Select an available day and time.
  4. Click Confirm.

Step 3: Complete the SFCS Form and Fingerprinting Appointment

Come to City Center (6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110) to complete these steps.

Complete the SFCS Form Before the Appointment

  1. Go to the SFCS Division in City Center, Suite 340 West 15 minutes before your appointment with APS Fingerprinting and Background Check Services.
  2. Request the SFCS Fingerprinting and Background Check Application Form.
  3. Complete the form.

Form Availability

SFCS Form is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

If no one is available in Suite 340 West, go to 380 West, 385 West, or 395 West for help.

Complete Fingerprinting Appointment

  1. Go to City Center, Room 105 East for processing.
  2. Bring the completed SFCS Form, your Gemalto application receipt, and your driver's license.

Step 4: Wait for Clearance

Once the fingerprinting process is completed, it can take 2 to 3 weeks for processing. 

Once processing is complete, SFCS Division staff will contact the provider's agency to notify them whether or not their clearance is approved:

  • If the clearance is approved, SFCS Division staff will notify the provider/agency where to pick up their ID badge.
  • If the clearance is denied, SFCS Division staff will notify the provider/agency but cannot divulge the reason for denial.
    • The individual whose clearance was denied may contact APS Fingerprinting to learn the reason for denial and how to dispute the denial. 
    • The provider will not be issued a badge until their clearance is approved. 

Step 5: Pick Up Your Badge

If your clearance is approved, you will be notified by SFCS Division Staff to pick up your APS SFCS Division Provider Clearance Name Badge.

Rules about Access to APS Students and Schools

  • Principals have the right to refuse access to students in their school to any outside provider.
  • Providers must have school principal/designee approval prior to rending services at all school sites.

Approval After School Hours

Approval may come through communication with SFCS Division for after-school providers.

Approval During School Hours

A principal may determine on a daily basis whether it is appropriate for the provider to see students, e.g., a principal may refuse access to students during testing.

  • Providers are required to wear their APS badge on APS campuses at all times.
  • Badges expire two years from the date of clearance. Providers must be re-fingerprinted every two years to continue providing services.
  • The badge should feature the signature of Kristine M. Meurer, Ph.D., Executive Director, SFCS division and the date that the background check expires.
  • School staff may request a picture ID to verify the provider's identity.
  • Providers working during school hours must comply with the school check-in or sign-in process.
  • Providers must present professionally in appearance and behavior.
  • Providers have a limited scope of work and are not "at-will" to provide additional services or school-related functions.
  • Providers must follow APS protocol for suicide and threat assessments.