Why the Correct Fingerprinting Reason Code Matters

A fingerprint appointment can go smoothly and still produce a result that does not meet the requesting organization’s requirements. One detail that can make the difference is the reason code—the purpose attached to a fingerprint-based background-check submission.

In Ohio, the requesting employer, licensing body, or other authorized organization determines which check is needed, what reason applies, and where results should be sent. Choosing a code based on guesswork can create mismatched records or require a new submission. Understanding the request before fingerprinting helps applicants and organizations avoid preventable confusion.

What a reason code does

A reason code identifies why fingerprints are being submitted for a particular check. It connects the transaction to the stated purpose, such as a specific employment or licensing requirement. It is not simply a personal preference or a label an applicant should select to obtain the broadest possible search.

The Ohio Attorney General’s background check overview explains that the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) compares fingerprints with criminal fingerprint records and that requirements vary with the employment or licensing purpose. The organization requesting the check is therefore the right source for the required purpose and instructions.

BCI, FBI, and ink cards are not interchangeable

Before booking, confirm which service the request actually calls for:

• Ohio BCI check: A state-level fingerprint-based check. The requesting organization should specify the reason and any required recipient details.
• FBI check: Available through BCI only for authorized Ohio employment purposes. Personal-use FBI Identity History Summary requests and immigration-related requests follow FBI instructions instead, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s background-check FAQs.
• Ink fingerprint cards: FD-258 cards may be needed when an outside agency or process specifically requests a card rather than an electronic submission. A card request is not automatically equivalent to an Ohio WebCheck transaction.

If the instructions mention both BCI and FBI, applicants should confirm whether a combined submission is required. The receiving organization’s directions take precedence over assumptions based on another application or prior check.

What can go wrong when the purpose is incorrect

A wrong or incomplete reason can result in a submission that does not match the requested check or cannot be routed as intended. The Attorney General’s FAQs explain that BCI cannot correct submitted transaction information; a new submission may be necessary. That makes it worth resolving uncertainty before fingerprints are captured and sent.

A rejection notice also needs careful reading. It applies to the check identified in the notice and does not automatically mean both BCI and FBI portions were rejected. A fingerprint resubmission and a challenge to the accuracy of criminal-record information are different processes. Applicants should follow the notice and contact the requesting organization or the appropriate agency about next steps rather than assume one process fixes the other.

Confirm these details before the appointment

Ask the requesting organization for its written instructions, especially if the request uses unfamiliar terminology. Confirm:

• Whether it requires BCI, FBI, both, or an ink fingerprint card.
• The exact reason or purpose to use, including any form or agency instructions.
• The correct recipient and how results should be delivered.
• Whether the organization requires a particular submission method or additional paperwork.

Bring valid state-issued photo identification and the requesting agency’s forms and instructions. Ohio Security & Investigations advertises appointment-based WebCheck fingerprinting and FD-258 ink-card support; applicants should confirm current appointment options directly. Its fingerprinting information describes the service, while the appointment request page provides a way to ask about scheduling.

Fingerprint information is sensitive. Do not post an ID image, Social Security number, fingerprints, or criminal-record documents in a public comment or send them through an unsecured channel. Share only what the requesting organization or service provider needs, using an appropriate private method.

A practical check for organizations

Organizations that request checks can reduce confusion by giving applicants written instructions that name the required check, reason, destination, and submission method. If requirements change by role or license, the instructions should make clear which set applies. Applicants should not be asked to infer a reason code from a job title or select one merely because it appears on a form.

This general information is not legal advice and does not replace the requesting agency’s requirements. Ohio Security & Investigations is located at 7087 West Blvd #8, Youngstown, Ohio 44512, and can be reached at (888) 341-6960 or through ohioinvestigators.com. For fingerprint service details or appointment questions, visit its fingerprinting page.