Missouri State Highway Patrol

Missouri VECHS FAQs

• Is there a fee with the Missouri VECHS program?
A: No. The only fees associated are the fees for the background checks. The state fee is pursuant to Section 43.530 RSMo, and the federal fees are pursuant to the Federal Register. Fees are subject to change. The state background check is $20.00 and the federal fee is $13.25 (or $11.25 if a volunteer). If using the electronic fingerprint vendor through our MACHS service, the fingerprint service fee is $8.50. Total cost for a complete background check is $41.75 per applicant.
• What is the Qualified Entity Application?
A: The Qualified Entity Application is the initial document completed by the interested entity in order to request participation in the Missouri VECHS program. The form provides vital information about the entity and should be completed in its entirety. A current copy of the entity's business license is required and should accompany the application.
• What is the Waiver Agreement and Statement?
A: Pursuant to the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (NCPA), as amended by the Volunteers for Children Act (VCA), the Waiver Agreement and Statement must be completed and signed by every current or prospective employee, volunteer, and contractor/vendor, for whom criminal history records are required by a qualified entity. The waiver authorizes the qualified entity to access and review Missouri and national (FBI) criminal history records on an applicant. The waiver form is retained by the qualified entity and is subject to audit, along with the criminal history records received through the program.
• What is the User Agreement?
A: The User Agreement is an agreement entered into by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the qualified entity. The intent of the agreement is to set forth the terms and conditions under which criminal history record information is obtained through the Missouri VECHS program.
• What is the NCPA/VCA?
A: The National Child Protection Act (NCPA), as amended by the Volunteers for Children Act (VCA) is national legislation that encouraged states to authorize fingerprint-based national criminal history record information (background checks) of individuals having access to children and other vulnerable people by enacting legislation under Public Law 92-544. Recommended policies and procedures for implementation of the NCPA/VCA were set out by the FBI and are followed by the Missouri VECHS program.
• Who can obtain criminal history record checks under the NCPA/VCA?
A: "Qualified entities" are authorized to obtain criminal history record information as described under the NCPA/VCA and related federal guidelines.
• What is the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006?
A: Under Section 153(b)(2) a fingerprint-based background check request for the receipt of state and national criminal history record information may be submitted by private elementary and secondary schools on individuals employed by, under consideration for employment by, other otherwise in positions in which the individuals would work with or around children in the school.
• How long does the application process take?
A: The application review process is typically two weeks from date of receipt.
• What type of information is returned on a criminal record?
A: Criminal records provide an indication that the applicant has no criminal history, if there are none; The RAP sheets (Record of Arrest and Prosecution) from Missouri and FBI (or other states) that show arrests and/or convictions, if any. Criminal records also include information pertaining to any sex offenders currently registered within the state of Missouri, even if the sex offense occurred out-of-state.
• If my agency/organization is currently required to obtain criminal history records by statute, am I still eligible for the VECHS program?
A: Entities that are required to obtain state and federal criminal history record checks under other statutory provisions (i.e., Missouri Statute), on all or specific employees and/or volunteers, must continue to comply with those statutes and the procedures that specifically apply. Requests for the required criminal history record check may not be processed through the Missouri VECHS program, pursuant to federal and state law.
• How can my agency share criminal history results with another organization?
A: Dissemination is authorized to another authorized entity only after verifying with the MSHP/CJIS Division that the requesting agency is an authorized agency. Dissemination must be limited to the same scope and purpose (such as employment or licensing) and the requesting entity must have the same statutory authority (state or federal law). The releasing agency shall log such dissemination. However, dissemination of CHRI outside of the State of Missouri is strictly prohibited.



DEFINITIONS

MACHS (The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site): The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) is Missouri's one-stop website for all criminal background check needs. This site is administered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, the central repository for all Missouri criminal history files. The MACHS Fingerprint Portal allows individuals within Missouri to register to be fingerprinted with IDEMIA/IdentoGO, the state vendor for Electronic Fingerprinting Services. Fingerprints taken by IDEMIA/IdentoGO will be electronically submitted to the Missouri State Highway Patrol for background check purposes.

Care: refers to the provision of care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.

Qualified Entity: Under the NCPA/VCA, a "qualified entity" is a business or organization, whether public, private, for profit, not-for-profit, or voluntary, that provides care or care placement services.

Provider: A person who is employed by or volunteers with a qualified entity; owns or operates a qualified entity; or who has or may have unsupervised access to a person to whom the qualified entity provides care; and a person who seeks to be employed by or volunteer with a qualified entity; seeks to own or operate a qualified entity; or seeks to have or may have unsupervised access to a person to whom the qualified entity provides care.

Person: refers to a child, elderly or individuals with disabilities.

Missouri Rap Back Program: Any type of automatic notification made by the Missouri State Highway Patrol to a qualified entity indicating that an applicant who is employed, licensed or otherwise under the purview of that entity has been arrested for a reported criminal offense in Missouri as required under section 43.506.

ORI/OCA: An Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) is a nine-character identifier, assigned by the FBI and is used to identity authorized agencies and control access to the systems. As a member of the Missouri VECHS program, your agency will be assigned an Originating Case Agency (OCA) which acts as a sub-set of an ORI.

Dissemination: The transmission or distribution of CJI to authorized recipients.

Elderly: Missouri citizen who is sixty years of age or older.

Disability: A mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, whether the impairment is congenital or acquired by accident, injury or disease, where such impairment is verified by medical findings.