Effective July 1, 2011, any applicant for a pharmacist license, a pharmacy technician-in-training permit, or pharmacy technician certification, whose application is postmarked or hand-delivered to our office on or after July 1, 2011, will be required to submit to fingerprinting and a national criminal background check by the Indiana State Police (this background check utilizes the criminal history record system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation).  The applicant will be responsible for the cost of the background check in addition to any of the usual costs associated with obtaining their license.  The background check fee is paid when you schedule your fingerprinting and is not paid to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.  If our agency receives the background check fee, it will be returned to the applicant. 

Please note that you cannot begin the background check process until AFTER the application submission date for a pharmacist license, a pharmacy technician-in-training permit, or pharmacy technician certification.  If our agency receives a background check prior to receiving an application, the applicant will be required to submit to another background check which will result in paying for the background check again!

The background check process begins with L-1 Enrollment Services.  You are required to visit their website at http://www.L1enrollment.com/ and choose "Indiana", or, if you do not have access to the internet, call toll-free at 877-472-6917 to schedule your fingerprinting appointment.  See below for more specific instructions on how to schedule your fingerprinting appointment.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS for Fingerprinting Process

During the review of an application, if the background check received evidences a prior criminal history, the Indiana Board of Pharmacy will have the discretion to determine whether or not the crime has a current and direct bearing upon the ability of the applicant to practice safely in the state of Indiana and to determine whether a license should be granted or denied (i.e., the Indiana Board of Pharmacy may grant a license even if an applicant has a criminal conviction on their record if it is determined that the applicant is safe, competent, and no longer a threat to the public as a result of their conviction). 

Since I didn’t know I had to wait until after I applied to get a CBC, can I get my money back?
No.  Per the instruction sheet on the board’s website and the warning screen on the L1 website where you schedule your fingerprinting, you should not schedule a fingerprinting before submitting your licensure application.  IPLA does not receive the money for the CBC and is not authorized to permit refunds.  In fact, most of the CBC record fee goes to the FBI and the FBI does not provide refunds.

If I fail the NAPLEX and/or MPJE, do I have to submit to another CBC?
Yes.  Any time you are required by the board to resubmit a new licensure application, you will also be required to submit to a new CBC.

I have a technician-in-training permit, do I have to submit to another CBC when I submit my documentation to be issued my pharmacy technician certification?
No.  If your permit is still valid and application is still within one (1) year from the application submission date, you only need to submit your affidavit or certificate verifying completion of a board approved program or examination.  HOWEVER, if your permit expires and you are required to submit a new application and fee with your affidavit or certificate of completion, you will be required to submit to a new CBC.

Can I submit the criminal background check conducted by my employer? 
No. The State requires current CBC information and all applicant background checks must be uniform.

Does any other state besides Indiana require criminal background checks?
Yes.  Indiana is not the only state that requires criminal background checks for healthcare professionals.  For example, thirty one (31) states currently require CBC’s for nurses to receive a license.  In addition, many employers and The Joint Commission already require these checks.

Why do I have to get checked and other healthcare professionals don’t?
The new law requires initial individual healthcare licenses to be background checked. Temporary, intern, and facility permits as well as registrations are not licenses covered by the new law.

Can you share my criminal background information with the public?
No.  The record is confidential and may not be disclosed to the public.

Will my fingerprints be retained?
Yes.  But your criminal background check will not be updated or revisited by the board unless you submit to another CBC at the directive of the board.

Will I be checked every renewal?
No.

Why does it cost so much and where does the money go?
The cost is $42.20 per applicant with $15.00 going to the State’s general fund; $17.25 going to the FBI; and $9.95 going to the vendor (L1) that secures the fingerprints.  Effective March 19, 2012, the cost is $39.45.
 

How long will it take for the agency to receive the results of my CBC?
The CBC record will appear in our system within seventy two (72) hours after your fingerprinting.

Will juvenile records appear on my record?
No.  Juvenile records are sealed and will not appear on your record.

Will matters that were submitted to diversion appear?
Yes.  This criminal record may be considered by the board.