Home Registration and Membership How to Register Fingerprint Card Requirements

Fingerprint Card Requirements

Any individual applying to register as an associated person (AP), floor broker (FB), floor trader (FT) or for approval as a principal must submit fingerprints to NFA unless:

  • the individual is currently registered with the CFTC or is listed as a principal of a current CFTC registrant and fingerprint cards in relation to that registration are received by NFA;
  • FBI fingerprint card results are received within 90 days preceding the date the individual's Form 8-R is filed with NFA;
  • a sponsor that is a registered broker-dealer represents in the applicant's Form 8-R that the applicant has applied for registration as a General Securities Representative with FINRA within the previous 90 days and that a fingerprint card accompanied the application;
  • the individual is a foreign natural person as defined in CFTC Regulation 3.21(e)(1)(i); or
  • the individual is an outside director and the sponsor files with NFA a Notice pursuant to CFTC Regulation 3.21(c). These notices may be sent to PrintcardAlternativeFilings@nfa.futures.org.
There are currently two options for individuals required to submit fingerprints.

Once NFA receives an applicant's fingerprint cards, NFA will submit the images to the FBI to determine if the applicant has a criminal record.

NFA can only accept and process a completed and signed FBI applicant card. Applicants are encouraged to submit three fingerprint cards with their application to avoid delays in obtaining additional sets if necessary for processing.

Send completed fingerprint cards to NFA at the following address:

NFA
Attention: Registration Department
320 South Canal, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60606

Note: Effective October 1, 2026, individuals required to provide fingerprints to NFA must submit them through Fieldprint, NFA's new designated fingerprinting service provider. For more information on utilizing Fieldprint, see below.

Fieldprint, an experienced fingerprint service vendor and FBI-approved Channeler, electronically collects fingerprints and submits them to the FBI for processing. Fieldprint then shares the results of the fingerprint check with NFA.

A firm with an active Fieldprint account can share its unique Fieldprint code, which U.S.-based individuals can utilize (along with the firm's NFA ID) to schedule a fingerprinting appointment via the Fieldprint scheduling website.

Before scheduling a fingerprinting appointment, all NFA Member firms must activate an account with Business Information Group (BIG)—Fieldprint's sister company. NFA has made available on its website a read-only, printable version of the BIG Service Agreement. Notice to Members I-26-12 contains additional information regarding account activation.

Note: Effective October 1, 2026, individuals required to provide fingerprints to NFA must submit them through Fieldprint.