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FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 8:23 pm
by Anonymous User
The one where you get your fingerprints taken on this form:

Image

Sometimes electronic, sometimes ink. Sometimes by normal police, sometimes by the FBI or US Marshals. Anyways - how long does it take before your employer gets the results of your "rap" sheet and you get your security clearance (or denied)?

Thanks.

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 8:30 pm
by quickquestionthanks
Probably not more than a couple of weeks. I've had it done twice, once to work for the Federal government, and I was able to start almost ASAP, within a week, and another time to get a public safety clearance card and that took over 3 months (I think having nothing to do with the background check part, just processing).

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 1:18 pm
by slowdiver
I've heard people at my school taking months if it's a full FBI background check for a U.S. Attorney's Office or something dealing with criminal stuff. I obtained a federal position in a non-criminal agency, and the background check only took 2 weeks.

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 1:30 pm
by UCLAtransfer
I had to do this for my 1L summer job at the USAO, and I believe it took about 6 weeks or so from when I sent everything in before I was cleared to start work.

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 1:33 pm
by JOThompson
I was accepted for the FBI's Honor Internship in undergrad. The background check took around four weeks, including two polygraphs. If I hadn't been weeded out (blood relation to a felon), the process could've gone on even longer.

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 1:38 pm
by Always Credited
JOThompson wrote:I was accepted for the FBI's Honor Internship in undergrad. The background check took around four weeks, including two polygraphs. If I hadn't been weeded out (blood relation to a felon), the process could've gone on even longer.
That weeds you out? That's absurd.

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 3:54 pm
by bk1
JOThompson wrote:I was accepted for the FBI's Honor Internship in undergrad. The background check took around four weeks, including two polygraphs. If I hadn't been weeded out (blood relation to a felon), the process could've gone on even longer.
:shock:

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 12:59 pm
by Rocky Estoppel
Always Credited wrote:
JOThompson wrote:I was accepted for the FBI's Honor Internship in undergrad. The background check took around four weeks, including two polygraphs. If I hadn't been weeded out (blood relation to a felon), the process could've gone on even longer.
That weeds you out? That's absurd.
yeah, how is that even remotely someone's fault?

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 1:05 pm
by jks289
slowdiver wrote:I've heard people at my school taking months if it's a full FBI background check for a U.S. Attorney's Office or something dealing with criminal stuff. I obtained a federal position in a non-criminal agency, and the background check only took 2 weeks.
To work for USAO (not in the summer, as an actual attorney) can take over six months.

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 1:08 pm
by PoliticalJunkie
Always Credited wrote:
JOThompson wrote:I was accepted for the FBI's Honor Internship in undergrad. The background check took around four weeks, including two polygraphs. If I hadn't been weeded out (blood relation to a felon), the process could've gone on even longer.
That weeds you out? That's absurd.
Not really. Think about if the felon is still involved with criminal activity and his/her associates use that family member as bait for the FBI employee.........

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 1:08 pm
by nol607
According to John Kroger, you don't get your DOJ badge until after your first, probationary year. You have to settle for a laminate a-la- Dexter.....I really want to be a AUSA...

Re: FBI fingerprinting/background check - how long does it take?

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 10:35 pm
by JOThompson
PoliticalJunkie wrote:
Always Credited wrote:
JOThompson wrote:I was accepted for the FBI's Honor Internship in undergrad. The background check took around four weeks, including two polygraphs. If I hadn't been weeded out (blood relation to a felon), the process could've gone on even longer.
That weeds you out? That's absurd.
Not really. Think about if the felon is still involved with criminal activity and his/her associates use that family member as bait for the FBI employee.........
The relative in question had a felony conviction for tax evasion. Not a particularly hardened criminal IMO, but I understand the FBI's logic in shutting me out. Still, it is supremely frustrating to be punished for the actions of others, over which you have no control.