About WebCheck®

WebCheck is a fingerprint-based applicant background check system that was developed to support the electronic processing of criminal background checks at the State level for applicants in the State of Ohio. This Web-based solution addresses the needs of Ohio agencies—both public and private—that rely on background checks for hiring and other mandated purposes.

Cogent has developed a WebCheck System that allows access to a secure, Web-based application that resides at BCI. Authorized individuals submit fingerprint-based searches via the Internet to run them against the State of Ohio database.

Fingerprint-based criminal history background checks are initiated with the electronic capture of flat fingerprints and demographic information. Applicants need only have four separate scans completed: two index fingers and two thumbs. From this data, the individual prints are extracted and validated to ensure successful transmission. The information is then submitted directly to the State of Ohio fingerprint repository (AFIS) for criminal background searches.

The WebCheck program received the Ohio Crime Prevention Project Award in April 2000 from the Ohio Crime Prevention Association.  In February 2001, WebCheck was granted the Center of Excellence for Information Technology Award from the Center of Excellence for Information Technology in Washington, DC.

For electronic processing of criminal background checks at the Federal level, Cogent offers the National WebCheck System for fingerprint-based searches that can be run against the State of Ohio and/or the FBI criminal record database.

To determine if your agency requires the National Webcheck System (State and/or Federal background checks), please consult BCI or your legal counsel.

How to Join the WebCheck Program:

The following steps must be completed in order for your agency to become an approved user of the WebCheck System:

1. Your agency must establish an account with BCI. This account is needed to correctly process your agency’s WebCheck System transactions.

• To verify that you have an account with BCI, please contact Marcy Colley of BCI's Fiscal Unit at 740-845-2186 to be assigned an Agency ID.
• If you wish to set up an account, please send a request to open an account for the WebCheck (WC) program on your agency's official letterhead. Use the exact name of your agency, along with the billing address, full name of the person responsible for the account, and your agency’s tax ID number. This account will allow your agency to submit fingerprint-based searches against the State criminal record database on a fee-for-service basis.
• Fax this information to the attention of Marcy Colley at 740-845-2023.
• The cost for each transaction will remain the same, $15.00 for a record check, and $8.00 to issue an update within one year of the original record check.

2. Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BCI. The MOU is designed to ensure your understanding of financial responsibility and proper use of criminal history information.

• Your agency must sign an MOU regarding financial responsibility and proper use of criminal history information.
• Complete and sign the (MOU) then mail to:
  Jayne Fisher
  c/o BCI
  P.O. Box 365
  London, Ohio 43140
  FAX: 740-845-2024
  E-Mail: nationalwebcheck@ag.state.oh.us

3. Purchase WebCheck System

• The WebCheck System comes complete with a single digit fingerprint scanner, a driver’s license magnetic strip reader, and the Cogent WebCheck software.
• To place an order, fill out the WebCheck Order Form. The system does not include a personal computer.
• For any questions concerning the placement of a WebCheck order with Cogent Systems, please call Cogent at 614-718-9691 x 3303.
• Installation of the software and maintenance is your agency’s responsibility.

4. Hardware Requirements

• WebCheck requires a personal computer with the following specifications: a processor equivalent or greater than Pentium II, 266 MHZ, 64 MB RAM, 2GB HD, and CD-ROM.
• The operating system must be Windows 95, 98, 2000, or XP.

5. Internet Access. The WebCheck System is a Web-based application and thus requires Internet connectivity.

• The program accesses the Internet by using MS Internet Explorer.
• Connectivity to the Internet is your agency’s responsibility.
• Currently, the WC system does not support AOL.

6. Final Step

• When the above steps are completed, e-mail webcheck@ag.state.oh.us.
• A WebCheck 4.0 training CD will be mailed to you upon receipt of the properly completed and signed MOU
• To download the latest WebCheck 4.0 capture device drivers, please go the following website:
  http://www.webcheck4.ag.state.oh.us/drivers
  
  WEBCHECK® is a registered trademark of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.