IVP vs Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card in Arizona: What's the Difference?
If you've been told that you need a Fingerprint Clearance Card in Arizona, one of the first questions you'll encounter is whether you need an IVP or Non-IVP card.
Unfortunately, many employers, schools, and organizations simply tell people to "go get fingerprinted" without explaining which application they need or how the process works.
At Postal Pros AZ, we've helped hundreds of Arizona residents complete fingerprint applications. The biggest misconception we see is that people think the difficult part is getting fingerprinted.
It isn't.
The fingerprints are the easy part. The paperwork is what matters.
Understanding the difference between IVP and Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance Cards can save you time, frustration, and unnecessary delays.
What Is an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card?
IVP stands for Identity Verified Prints.
In practical terms, IVP Fingerprint Clearance Cards are primarily associated with Arizona public schools and activities involving students.
You will commonly need an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card if you are:
A teacher
A school administrator
A school secretary
A school janitor
A school bus driver
A coach
A parent volunteer
A field trip chaperone
A student teacher
A school counseling intern
A psychology student completing field experience hours on a school campus
The easiest way to think about IVP is this:
If you will be working around students or volunteering at an Arizona public school, you will likely need an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Always verify requirements with the school district or organization requesting the card.
What Is a Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card?
Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance Cards cover a much broader range of professions, agencies, and licensing requirements.
Some of the most common Non-IVP applications we see include:
Department of Health Services
Examples include:
Assisted living facility employees
Nursing home staff
Caregivers
Healthcare support staff
Drivers transporting vulnerable adults
Department of Economic Security
Examples include:
Childcare providers
Certain social service workers
Professional Licensing and Certification Requirements
Examples include:
Real estate professionals
Psychology professionals
Dental professionals
Financial institution employees
Healthcare Students
One of the largest groups we see are healthcare students entering programs that require fingerprint clearance before clinical placements.
For most people, Non-IVP simply means that an agency other than a public school system requires a Fingerprint Clearance Card.
The Biggest Mistake People Make
The most common mistake isn't getting fingerprints taken incorrectly.
It's not knowing which application they need.
We hear it every week:
"My employer told me to get fingerprinted."
That's a good start, but it's usually not enough information.
Before you get fingerprinted, you should know:
Whether you need IVP or Non-IVP
Which agency requires the card
Which category applies to your situation
Whether your employer has additional instructions
While we are experts in fingerprinting, we are not experts in every employer's HR requirements.
Your employer, licensing board, school, or agency should tell you exactly which application is required.
A Real-World Example: Nursing Students
One of the most common sources of confusion involves nursing students.
A nursing student may need a Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card in order to participate in their nursing program.
Later, after graduating, they may need a completely separate fingerprint process for professional licensing.
Many applicants assume these are the same thing because both involve nursing.
They are not.
That's why we always encourage applicants to ask exactly which application their school, employer, or licensing organization requires before starting the process.
The Most Common Paperwork Problems We See
Problem #1: Not Knowing Which Box to Check
This is especially common with Non-IVP applications.
There are numerous agency categories available, and selecting the wrong one can create unnecessary delays.
Before coming in, ask your employer or organization:
Which application do I need?
Which category should I select?
Is there paperwork I should bring with me?
Having those answers ahead of time makes the process much smoother.
Problem #2: Confusion About Costs
Many applicants assume fingerprinting involves one fee.
In reality, there are typically two separate costs:
The fingerprinting service fee
The Arizona Department of Public Safety processing fee
Some employers pay the DPS processing fee on behalf of employees.
Others require the applicant to pay it.
We've had customers arrive expecting to pay only for fingerprinting, only to discover there is also a state processing fee involved.
Before your appointment, verify whether your employer is covering any portion of the cost.
Problem #3: Waiting Until the Last Minute
Another issue we see regularly is timing.
Someone wants to volunteer at a school event next week.
A new job starts in a few days.
A clinical program begins shortly.
Unfortunately, Fingerprint Clearance Cards are not issued instantly.
Based on feedback from our customers, many people report receiving their clearance card in approximately two weeks after submission. Processing times can vary, so we always recommend applying well before your deadline.
If you think you'll need a clearance card, start the process early.
Our Best Advice: Pre-Register Online
If there's one piece of advice we could give every applicant, it's this:
Complete your application online through the Arizona Department of Public Safety before coming in for fingerprints.
Pre-registering offers several advantages:
You can complete the application at your own pace
Your information is typed instead of handwritten
Required codes are built into the system
You can pay online with a debit or credit card
The fingerprinting appointment becomes much faster
Nobody enjoys spending more time than necessary dealing with paperwork.
Pre-registration reduces errors and makes the overall process smoother.
The Fingerprints Are the Easy Part
After helping hundreds of Arizona residents complete fingerprint applications, we've noticed something interesting.
People worry about the fingerprints.
In reality, fingerprints are usually the simplest part of the process.
Our job is to make sure your fingerprints are clear and meet the quality standards required for processing.
The challenges almost always involve:
Choosing the correct application
Selecting the correct category
Completing paperwork accurately
Understanding payment requirements
Planning ahead for processing times
That's why we tell customers every day:
The fingerprints are the easy part. The paperwork is what matters.
Need Fingerprinting Services in Surprise, Arizona?
At Postal Pros AZ, we help applicants complete IVP and Non-IVP fingerprint applications every week.
Whether you're applying for a teaching position, volunteering at a school, entering a healthcare program, or obtaining a professional credential, we can help make sure your fingerprint cards are completed correctly before submission.
For additional fingerprinting resources, be sure to read:
How to Get a Fingerprint Clearance Card in Arizona
Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card Requirements
How Long Does an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card Take?
What Is a Non-IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card?
Have questions before you get started? Contact Postal Pros AZ or stop by our store and we'll help point you in the right direction.
