Different types of employers are required to conduct different types of background checks. Choose the icon below for information about the various types of background checks available from the BCA.

General Informed Consent

Employers that do not fit into one of the above listed categories and want to request a Minnesota criminal history background check (including private criminal history data) must obtain informed consent from the data subject. You must provide the applicant with the General Informed Consent Form. The form must be notarized.

National fingerprint-based background check requirements

Employers who conduct national fingerprint-based criminal history record checks are required to follow certain FBI processes. You must provide the applicant with the Privacy Act statement and the applicant must acknowledge receipt of that statement. Applicants who are the subject of a national fingerprint-based criminal history record check have certain privacy rights.

In addition, state agencies, cities, counties, public school districts and tribes (government non-criminal justice agencies, or NCJA) that are requesting national fingerprint-based background checks must enter into an agreement with the BCA and obtain a unique agency identifying number, typically called an ORI. These items are required by the BCA to comply with FBI audit requirements of all NCJA.

1. Request information on obtaining an ORI for a government non-criminal justice agency. You may contact the BCA CHA Unit by phone at 651-793-2400, option 1, or by email at BCA.CHA@state.mn.us to request information on obtaining an agreement and ORI.
2. Follow the instructions in the letter to start the agreement/ORI process.
3. Communicate with the BCA as needed during the agreement/ORI process.
4. After receiving your assigned ORI, enter this number on the fingerprint card when submitting background checks to the BCA.

An auditor will be assigned to your agency. The auditor will contact your agency to begin the onboarding process that explains the audit and the overall process. The audit will not take place immediately. With the guidance of your auditor, the agency will have time to acclimate to policy requirements and to understand the audit process.