Has it been almost five years since you submitted your fingerprints? Then chances are you heard about the Fingerprint Retention Fee. If you are one of the many that have questions about this requirement, I’ll try to answer those below.
But first, a little background on the fingerprinting and background check requirement.
History of CS/HB 1065 (2014)
Like many of you, I had my fingerprints taken shortly before the deadline in 2015. At that time, all licensed massage therapists were required to have their fingerprints and background checks completed by January 31st, 2015. That means the Board of Massage had around 30,000 fingerprints results to track in just a few months.
Needless to say, it was chaotic. Out-of-state licensees struggled to find a fingerprint location, the board did not receive the results of some prints, and other massage therapists had prints rejected multiple times because their fingerprints had worn off from our work.
Not only that, we did not know much about the future of the new requirement in 2014. Future fees were not discussed in any of our notices.
And Here We Are in 2019
Five years later, we know a lot more. As it turns out, there is a fee for retaining fingerprints.
Let me first say this. This fee is not under the Board of Massage’s control. Fingerprints and a background checks are a requirement of a 2014 law (CS/HB 1065: Licensed Massage Therapists) for you to have a massage license in Florida.
Florida established the Board of Massage to keep the public safe from unqualified practitioners. The Board’s job is not to promote the massage profession. Background checks keep those with serious offenses from practicing massage (which truly is beneficial to massage therapists).
Fingerprint Retainment Fee FAQs
What is “The Clearinghouse”?
The Clearinghouse is a statewide database that provides a single data source for background screening results. This includes persons screened for employment or professional licensure, like massage therapists. Fingerprints remain in the Clearinghouse system for five years after the initial appointment. Retaining fingerprints keeps them in “the Clearinghouse” for another five years.
Any new arrests or charges of licensees trigger a report to the proper channels, like the Board of Massage. For example, if a licensed person (required to be in the Clearinghouse) is charged with human trafficking, the Board of Massage will receive a notice. They will then revoke the massage or establishment license.
How much is the fingerprint retainment fee?
The cost of retaining your prints is approximately $43.25. Do not let your license slip into null and void status because of this fee. Remember, it is less than the cost of one massage. And again, this fee does not go to the Board of Massage and is not a money-grab by them. Fees go to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, who maintains the Clearinghouse.
What happens if I do not pay the fee?
If you do not pay this fee, you must be fingerprinted again, which costs about $90. If you fail to do that, the following is a response from the Division of Medical Quality Assurance:
“This action may vary by board. If fingerprint requirements are not met our Departments Enforcement Unit opens a case and from there disciplines and fines may be imposed. This will cost an individual more money on top of being required to have the new screening completed for compliance.
How often do I need to pay this fee?
Every five years. Everyone has a different expiration date. Your date is not your colleague’s date, so do not go by what they tell you.
How will I know it is time for me to pay the fee?
You should see a postcard about this requirement in the mail soon if it has been almost five years. Some of you may have already got yours. My notice arrived approximately 30 days before my window to renew opened.
I created my account using this link to check my subscription. I have until January 2020 to pay my retainment fee. You cannot renew your subscription, or prints, until 60 days before your expiration date. Here is the image with my expiration date.
To check your expiration date, create an account here. Yes, it will ask for your social security number. And, yes, that certainly made me nervous. But, I do not know if there is any way around using it as an identifier. You can also find this same link on the Board of Massage’s FAQ page.
Update
Since I wrote this article, my fingerprint retention renewal window opened. If you want to watch me go through the process (it was simple) so you know what to expect.
After two weeks, I logged back in and my screening status now says “determination made” (see below). I then clicked “check renewal availability” and it has my new expiration date: 01/02/2025. So, here is to five more years!
I still have more questions.
Here is additional information from the Board website about the fingerprint retention.
Also, you can drop a comment below or email me at ivy@floridamassage.com, and I would be happy to respond.
Hi Ivy, I received the email in regards to finger printing.
Is the September extension for the finger printing?
Thank you Ivy you are always on top of things.
Hi Miriam,
The extension applies to massage therapist and massage establishment licenses.
Can I mail in a check to pay my retainer fee?
Not sure. You can contact the Clearinghouse and ask. I do not remember it being an option.
Hi , I paid the fee but didn’t get any confirmation in the mail after paying
Is that normal?
I think so. Thanks for the reminder. It has been two weeks since I paid my fee. I just logged back in and now it says “determination made” in my account. I assume that means I am done.
Hey Ivy,
I missed my window because I moved overseas because my spouse works for the Marines. We will be gone for another two years.
I never received a postcard reminder because of the fact that I am overseas. In fact, I didn’t even realize I had to renew! Probably due to lack of resources. My account stayed active because I had no idea you could make it inactive, so long story short, I received notice from my parents that they received the letter stating my fingerprints were expired and I had to do the whole process again.
I went on the MQA website and requested military exemption, I think that’s what it’s called. It takes 21 days or so, which cuts it close for me.
I have no idea where to go and whom to mail it to. I have only about thirty days and I’m on the other side of the world! I am at risk of having my license suspended.
Hi Maggie!
Thankfully they have made getting and renewing a license a little easier for military spouses. Hopefully, the same holds true for this. Have you emailed the Board office about your situation?
I just renewed and it seems that everything went through but I was thrown off when the one screen stated that at the top said
Account Details
Account Number: ( six digit #)
Name on Account: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ( I tried to go back to insert my name but it would not let me, so I just proceeded)
Additional Account Details: Dept of Health
Payment Details were correct but there was nowhere on the page with my name.
I proceeded. is that ok.
I would contact the Clearinghouse about this issue just to make sure.
Ivy
i missed the 1/9/2020 deadline as my I was so preoccupied with working numerous hours and taking care of my wife that just passed away from cancer last week I just remembered and got fingerprinted at the Sheriffs office. Will this show an act of goodwill and not be penalized?
Hi Dave,
First and foremost, I am so sorry to hear about your loss! I most certainly could understand why that would not be a priority. Unfortunately, I do not know if the board will be able to wave any penalties. If you went ahead and got reprinted right away by an approved provider, it sounds like you are doing everything I would do in that situation. It would not hurt to call the board office and ask if your account is now in good standing and maybe explain the situation to them.
Hello.
I’m applying for the first time for my therapeutic massage license in Florida. I made my fingerprints on 08/09/2019 to apply to a Caregivers company. Now I opened my account in BGS_CHAI and there appears that I will have to renew in 2024. My Last Name, TCN number and ORI number EAHCA020Z are displayed in the CHAI System.
What should I do now to get my fingerprints sent to the Board? The instructions say that they must be sent by the Livescan provider to the number ORI EDOH4600Z and a different ORI number appears in the CHAI System (EAHCA020Z).
Should I pay again for that?
Where should I go?
Thank you very much for your great help and guidance.
Hi Edward,
I would contact the Clearinghouse. It sounds like an error on their end. EAHCA020Z looks like employment in various healthcare settings and not the board of massage.
Hi Aaron.
Thank You so much for Your Answer.
How can I contact Clearinghouse?
Thanks.
Have a good day.
Bye.
This has multiple ways you can contact them.
https://ahca.myflorida.com/contact/index.shtml
(This is Ivy – I must have logged in under Aaron’s account 😉