A.R.S. § 41-619.55 · A.A.C. R13-11-114
Good Cause Exception, with AI-assisted statement writing.
If your fingerprint clearance card was denied or suspended, the personal statement is the part that decides whether the Board grants your application at expedited review or sends you to a hearing. Our AI tool turns your raw facts into a Board-ready statement in your voice. The rest of the packet — pre-filled application, reference forms, document checklist, filing instructions — comes with it.
- AI-assisted personal statements — one polished section per charge, in your voice, using only the facts you provide
- Free 8-question screening — tells you exactly what to do next
- $895 if you're ready to file — complete packet delivered in minutes
- 30 calendar days from your DPS letter to file under A.A.C. R13-11-103(A)
The personal statement is what decides your application
The Arizona Board of Fingerprinting publishes its own guidance on what gets approved at expedited review versus sent to a hearing. Two patterns recur: applicants with limited records and clear, specific statements get fast approval; applicants with vague, defensive, or boilerplate statements get hearings, which add three to four months and cost you a job offer in the meantime.
Most people writing their first GCE statement do not know what the Board is looking for. The instinct is to minimize, to apologize, or to leave out details that feel embarrassing. Those instincts produce statements that fail. The Board wants three things, in this order: what happened (specific), what was going on at the time (context, not excuse), and what you have done since (concrete, recent, verifiable).
Sample: before and after
What you provide — written in your own words on the worksheet:
In 2019 I got a DUI. I was going through a divorce and drinking too much. I have not had any alcohol issues since. I completed all my classes and probation. I work full time now and have not been in any trouble.
What our AI tool produces — using only the facts above, polished into Board-ready prose in your voice:
In June 2019, I was arrested for driving under the influence. I was in the middle of a divorce, and over the months leading up to the arrest I had been drinking far more than I should have. The arrest was the first time I had been in legal trouble of any kind, and it was the wake-up call I needed. I completed every class and condition the court ordered, finished probation, and have not had any further alcohol-related issues. I have held the same full-time job for the past four years and have not had any contact with law enforcement since.
Sample only — yours after purchase. The example above is fictional. Our tool uses only the facts you write. It does not invent treatment programs, addiction histories, family circumstances, or rehabilitation activities you did not describe. You review and edit every polished statement before it goes in your packet.
What you'll have within minutes of paying $895
- The Board application, pre-filled. Your name, date of birth, address, phone, criminal-history checkboxes, DCS/APS and license-revocation answers — populated from your screening so you can verify rather than fill from scratch.
- Two reference forms with your name pre-filled. Hand to your references — they complete the rest, sign, and return to you.
- AI-assisted statement writing — one section per charge. The Board's own published guidance is candid that statement quality determines whether your application is granted at expedited review or sent to a hearing. After payment, you write your raw facts in plain language; our AI tool — built on Anthropic's Claude — turns them into a polished, Board-ready statement in your voice. It uses only the facts you provide. It does not invent treatment programs, addiction histories, or anything else you did not write. You review every word before it goes in your packet.
- A tailored document checklist with phone numbers. The exact court documents and police reports you need based on your screening — only arrests within 5 years need police reports, only convictions need court documents — with the agencies and contact information for getting them.
- Filing instructions. Mailing address, what to bring to a notary, what to keep copies of.
- The interim work permit request and employer letter template, when applicable. If your card is currently suspended and you're still in a card-required job, both are required by A.A.C. R13-11-114(B) for the Board to consider granting an interim permit.
You print the packet, gather the supporting documents on the checklist, sign before a notary, and mail. That's the whole job.
Are you a licensed professional?
Teachers, nurses, doctors, real estate agents, behavioral health professionals, and other licensees face two parallel problems when their card is suspended: the card itself, and a separate review by your licensing board. Our screening captures the licensing context. The packet we build addresses the GCE. If your board is also reviewing you, we'll make sure you know — and you can call us about the licensing-board side at any time.
The interim work permit, briefly
If your card was suspended and you're currently in a job that requires it, A.R.S. § 41-619.55(I) and A.A.C. R13-11-114 authorize the Board to issue an interim work permit that lets you keep working while your GCE is decided. A few things to know:
- The permit is discretionary. The Board decides whether to grant it; we prepare the request.
- It's not available for offenses in § 41-1758.03(B) or § 41-1758.07(B), the non-appealable categories — see R13-11-114(C).
- Your employer must submit a reference letter under R13-11-104(A)(3)(b). We provide the template.
- If the Board grants it, the permit covers the entire GCE process through final decision — see R13-11-114(D). If denied, you cannot work in the card-required role until the GCE itself is granted.
If this applies to you, the interim work permit request and employer letter template are included in your $895 packet. Call us first if there's any complexity around your employer or your offense category.
What this is — and isn't
Seal My Record Now is an application builder. When you take the screening, the result is one of these:
- Eligible to file. We prepare the $895 packet — including the interim work permit request if you're currently in a card-required role.
- Wait first. Your sentence isn't complete (probation active, restitution due, classes pending). We don't sell you something today; we save your screening and notify you when you're ready.
- Different remedy first. The free DPS Review and Challenge process or a disposition correction may solve your problem without a paid GCE at all. We tell you so and point you to the DPS contacts. No charge.
- Outside our scope. Pending charges, active warrants, hearing already scheduled, repeat denials, substantiated DCS/APS findings. These need legal counsel, not document preparation. Call us — same number, same person picks up.
- Non-appealable. The DPS letter says no GCE is available, or your offense is in § .03(B) or § .07(B). We'll tell you so honestly. There's no GCE pathway. If you want to discuss other options (post-conviction relief, set-aside with retroactive effect), call us.
The two card types
In 2009 Arizona split fingerprint clearance cards into two types:
- Standard fingerprint clearance card (§ 41-1758.03) — most regulated jobs.
- Level I fingerprint clearance card (§ 41-1758.07) — childcare, foster care, AZ State Hospital, DCS/DES roles serving children or vulnerable adults, certain behavioral health, school transportation, AZ Game and Fish. Level I has a broader list of disqualifying offenses.
A Level I card automatically satisfies a Standard requirement. The reverse isn't true. Some people are denied Level I but still eligible for Standard without any GCE — and if your job only needs Standard, you may not need a GCE at all. The DPS letter tells you which type was denied.
What the Board considers
When deciding a GCE, the Board applies the criteria in § 41-619.55(E):
- The extent of your criminal record
- The length of time elapsed since the offense
- The nature of the offense
- Mitigating circumstances
- Degree of participation in the offense
- Extent of rehabilitation — completion of probation/parole, restitution paid, treatment or counseling completed, personal references attesting to rehabilitation
- Substantiated DCS/APS findings (separate consideration under § 41-619.57)
The process — start to finish
- Apply to DPS for a fingerprint clearance card ($67 fee). If denied or suspended, DPS sends a letter explaining why and whether you're eligible to request a GCE. The 30-day filing window starts here.
- Take our screening. Eight questions, free. You'll know whether to file, wait, fix something free first, or call us.
- If filing: prepare the packet. $895. Application form, two reference forms, statement worksheet, document checklist, cover sheet, and (where applicable) interim work permit request and employer letter template.
- Sign before a notary, gather your supporting documents, and mail the packet to the Board of Fingerprinting at PO Box 6129, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6129. Send certified mail with return receipt.
- Expedited review within 20 days of the Board receiving your complete application plus the criminal history record from DPS.
- Hearing if scheduled, 20 to 45 days out from the expedited review. We do not represent at hearings. Call us if you need counsel.
- Decision. If granted, Board notifies DPS, card issues. If denied, you can re-apply to DPS and start a new GCE — no statutory waiting period.
Pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Good Cause Exception application packet | $895 |
| + Sealing same record (§ 13-911) — bundle discount | $650 |
| + Set-aside same record (§ 13-905) — bundle discount | $650 |
No additional Board of Fingerprinting filing fee. The DPS fingerprint card application fee ($67) was already paid when you originally applied for the card.
What we don't do
We don't represent applicants at GCE hearings. We don't handle Central Registry Exceptions, repeat denials with complex prior history, or licensed-professional licensing-board defense. For any of these, email us at support@sealmyrecordnow.com and we'll help you figure out the right next step.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fingerprint clearance card and why do I need one?
An AZ fingerprint clearance card is a permit issued by the Department of Public Safety after a state and federal background check. Many regulated AZ professions require one — including teaching, childcare, foster care, healthcare with vulnerable populations, school transportation, behavioral health, real estate, and others. There are two card types: the Standard card (§ 41-1758.03) and the Level I card (§ 41-1758.07). Level I has a broader list of disqualifying offenses.
What is a Good Cause Exception?
A Good Cause Exception (GCE) under § 41-619.55 is a separate administrative process for people whose card was denied or suspended by AZ DPS due to a criminal record. The GCE is decided by the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting, a separate state agency, based on whether the applicant demonstrates rehabilitation. If the Board grants the exception, DPS is required to issue the card.
How long do I have to file after the DPS letter?
A.A.C. R13-11-103(A) gives you 30 calendar days from the date on the DPS denial or suspension letter. Past 30 days the Board can still accept a late application if you can show "good cause" for the delay — but failing to update your address with DPS does not count as good cause. The 30-day window is the deadline most applicants miss.
My card was suspended and I'm losing my job. Is there a way to keep working during the GCE?
Possibly. A.R.S. § 41-619.55(I) and A.A.C. R13-11-114 create an interim work permit. The Board may issue a permit that lets you keep working in a card-required role while the GCE is pending. Two requirements: (1) your offense must not be non-appealable under § 41-1758.03(B) or § 41-1758.07(B), and (2) your employer must submit a reference letter under R13-11-104(A)(3)(b) along with your GCE application. Without your employer's cooperation the Board has no basis to grant the permit. The permit is discretionary — the Board decides whether to issue it. If denied, you cannot work in the card-required role until the GCE itself is granted. Plan accordingly.
What if my DPS letter shows the wrong offense, the wrong outcome, or "disposition could not be determined"?
That's a different problem with a different solution — and it might be free. A.A.C. R13-1-107 and R13-1-108 create a Review and Challenge process where you submit court records to DPS and request correction of the criminal history. If DPS corrects the record and the precluding offense disappears, you may not need a GCE at all. Call the AZ DPS Central State Repository at (602) 223-2222 to request a Review and Challenge packet. Our screening flags this and routes you to the free fix when it applies.
Which professional licensing boards have their own discretionary review?
Most do. AZ Board of Nursing, AZ Medical Board, AZ Osteopathic Board, AZ State Board of Dental Examiners, AZ State Board of Pharmacy, AZ Board of Physical Therapy, AZ Department of Education, AZ Department of Real Estate, AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, AZ Board of Accountancy, AZ Department of Financial Institutions, and the State Bar of Arizona all have their own statutes for criminal-conduct review of licensees. A GCE addresses the fingerprint card; your licensing board addresses your license. They run in parallel. Our packet only handles the GCE — email support@sealmyrecordnow.com if you have questions about the licensing-board side.
How long does the GCE process take?
After the Board receives a complete application package and your criminal history record from DPS, expedited review takes about 20 days. If the Board determines a hearing is needed — typically when there are pending charges, recent offenses, incomplete sentences, or extensive criminal history — the hearing is scheduled 20 to 45 days later. The full hearing process can add 3 to 4 months total.
Are there any offenses where a GCE is permanently barred?
Yes. § 41-1758.03(B) and § 41-1758.07(B) list non-appealable offenses where the Board cannot grant a GCE under any circumstance. These include sex-registration offenses, sexual exploitation of minors or vulnerable adults, child abuse, sexual conduct with a minor, dangerous crimes against children, and similar categories. § 41-619.55(K) also bars Board members and Board staff. If your DPS letter says you're not eligible to request a GCE, the offense is non-appealable. There is no workaround.
I have a substantiated DCS or APS finding of abuse or neglect. Does that affect my GCE?
It triggers a separate process. A substantiated DCS finding (child abuse or neglect) or APS finding (vulnerable adult abuse or neglect) creates a Central Registry disqualification under § 8-804, addressed by a Central Registry Exception (CRE) under § 41-619.57 — a different process from the GCE. Even if you also need a GCE for a fingerprint card issue, the CRE has to run in parallel. This is more complex than what our standard packet handles. email support@sealmyrecordnow.com.
What's the difference between sealing my record and getting a GCE?
They're separate processes. Sealing under § 13-911 hides your criminal record from most public background checks, but DPS retains access for fingerprint card determinations under § 13-911(J). A GCE under § 41-619.55 doesn't change your criminal record at all — it gets you a clearance card despite a precluded offense. Many people pursue both.
What does the application packet require?
A complete GCE application requires: (1) the GCE Application Form, signed and notarized; (2) your DPS denial or suspension letter; (3) a personal written statement explaining every adult arrest or charge; (4) court documents showing the disposition and sentence completion for every conviction; (5) police reports for any arrest within 5 years of the DPS letter; (6) two reference forms (one from someone who has known you 1+ year if employer-related, the second from someone who has known you 3+ years); (7) DCS/APS investigative reports if you have a substantiated allegation; (8) professional license records if a license has been revoked or suspended.
What does Seal My Record Now provide for the GCE?
Our $895 packet prepares: the application form pre-filled with your information, two reference forms with your name pre-filled and ready for your references to complete and sign, an AI-assisted personal statement tool that helps you turn your raw facts into Board-ready statements (one per charge), a tailored document checklist showing exactly which court documents and police reports to gather and where, a cover sheet with mailing instructions, and where applicable the interim work permit request and an employer reference letter template. You print the packet, sign before a notary, attach the supporting documents you gather, and mail.
Why is the price $895 instead of $750?
The GCE packet is meaningfully larger than other paths. The Board application is a 9-page form; most other paths use a one-page or two-page form. The personal statement covers every charge in your record, not just one. Two reference forms are required where most other paths need none. And eligible applicants in card-required jobs also receive the interim work permit request and employer letter template. The packet is bigger; the price reflects the work.
What if my GCE is denied at expedited review?
The Board sends you a letter scheduling an administrative hearing 20 to 45 days out. At the hearing you can appear yourself or with counsel. We do not represent applicants at hearings — that's legal representation, not document preparation. If you need counsel for a hearing, email us at support@sealmyrecordnow.com and we'll talk through your situation. After a hearing, the Board grants or denies within 80 days. If denied, you can re-apply to DPS for a card; if denied a second time, request a new GCE. There's no statutory waiting period.
Can I apply for a GCE before being denied a card?
No. The GCE process under § 41-619.55(B) is only available after DPS denies or suspends a fingerprint clearance card. If you haven't applied for a card yet, you must apply to DPS first ($67 fee). If you're unsure whether to apply because of an offense on your record, our screening can tell you whether your record likely qualifies for a GCE — that information may help you decide whether to apply to DPS in the first place.