Background - Fingerprinting

The Board has a statutory obligation(Section 901.253) to review the background of each person permitted to take the CPA Exam and awarded a Texas CPA certificate.

To meet this responsibility, the Board will access the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Division files using an established fingerprint process for each person who submits an Application of Intent. The fingerprint process allows the Board to receive information on all arrests, charges, convictions, probations and deferred adjudications of misdemeanor and felony offenses that occur in any U.S. state or territory. Records of these activities are reported to the Board for further investigation. If an applicant was 17 years of age or older at the time of the arrest, it should be reported to the Board. You are not required to report criminal records that have been expunged or sealed by an order of the court. You are required to report criminal records subject to a non-disclosure order.  After fingerprinting, the Board will automatically be advised of any subsequent arrest and further investigation will occur.

Who is required to submit fingerprints?

• A person who submits an Application of Intent
• A person who submits an Application of Intent to Transfer CPA Exam Credits to Texas
• A person who submits an Application for Issuance of the CPA Certificate and who has not previously submitted fingerprints to the Board
• A person who submits a reciprocal application

Applications cannot be finally approved by the Board until the fingerprint process is complete and the Board has received the results. Fingerprint should not be completed prior to submitting the application.

Information about the fingerprinting process will be included in the communication confirming receipt of your Application of Intent. It is the responsibility of the applicant to pay all fees to the service provider at the time that the appointment for fingerprinting is made. The fees are not collected by the Board and cannot be waived.

NOTE: The generic fingerprint form found on the IdentGo website should not be used. The results of the generic fingerprint form will not be sent to the Board.