Prior to registration, mortgage loan originators (MLOs) must submit fingerprints to NMLS (unless they already have fingerprints on file with NMLS) and authorize NMLS to process a criminal background check (CBC) with the FBI. The results of the CBC are returned to the employing institution through NMLS.
NMLS has developed the following options for submitting fingerprints:
1. Use existing fingerprints already on file with NMLS.
If an individual has held a state license in the past year, there is a good chance that NMLS already has fingerprints on file and new prints do not need to be submitted. The registering institution can use these prints on file to conduct a criminal background check for the purpose of federal registration.
2. Use the existing national network of approved livescan and cardprint sites.
NMLS has developed a nationwide network of approved Livescan and paper card fingerprint sites, administered by NMLS’ fingerprinting vendor, Fieldprint. After providing necessary demographic information, authorizing and paying for the background check in NMLS, mortgage loan originators are directed to the Fieldprint scheduling site to schedule an appointment at one of over 700 Livescan locations where fingerprints can be captured and submitted electronically. If none of these sites are geographically convenient to an MLO, a visit can be scheduled at one of more than 6,000 local police departments where fingerprints can be taken on cards provided to the MLO by Fieldprint and then mailed to Fieldprint for scanning and submission to NMLS. See 
Livescan Locations.
3. Schedule an onsite group appointment for a large number of individuals in a single location.
Fieldprint can arrange an onsite visit to accommodate large groups of MLOs for a fee to cover travel and set-up. While it can be arranged for any size group, this typically makes sense if an institution has 30 or more MLOs to have fingerprinted at one time. For more information regarding onsite group appointments, see Group Fingerprint Appointments.
4. Use existing equipment or network to establish a connection to NMLS directly.
NMLS recognizes that some institutions may have existing systems for fingerprint collections and a volume that makes it worthwhile to establish a direct connection. Due to the technical and legal requirements necessary to facilitate such an alternative fingerprint submission process, NMLS can only offer this option under the conditions listed below. If, after reviewing these conditions, your institution is interested in using existing fingerprint files collected outside of the NMLS network, please contact Fieldprint at 1-877-614-4365. Conditions are as follows:
- Execution of a legal agreement between the institution and Fieldprint, approved by State Regulatory Registry LLC
Fingerprints submitted to NMLS may be subsequently used by other institutions or state regulatory authorities. In order to protect the integrity of all fingerprints collected and maintained by NMLS, NMLS requires certain quality controls be in place as institutions collect fingerprints that mirror those in place in the NMLS network.
- Adherence to the Interface Control document
Fieldprint has developed an interface control document for the submission of existing fingerprints to NMLS. This document regulates submission of fingerprints and helps ensure that submitted fingerprints are connected with the correct mortgage loan originator’s record in NMLS. Institutions interested in submitting existing fingerprints or using its vendor to collect fingerprints for submission to NMLS must abide with the technical and policy requirements outlined in this document to ensure a uniform standard of all fingerprints collected by NMLS.
- Submission of at least 2,500 prints during the transition year
Due to the costs associated with establishing and maintaining this alternative approach to the existing NMLS Livescan Network, NMLS believes that this alternative process is only effective for institutions with a high volume of prints to process. As such, institutions must certify they will submit at least 2,500 fingerprints to NMLS during the initial transition year (2011) in order to participate in this alternative program.
Please note that regardless of the submission method, fingerprints cannot be submitted to the Federal Registry until the MLO’s MU4R has been submitted and all appropriate fees have been paid. For more information on submitting prints through the NMLS network, see Criminal Background Check.