RICHMOND – One year into its implementation, the Virginia State Police Federal Rap Back Program now has 56,915 enrollments. The program, which went live July 1, 2025, provides continuous, real-time monitoring of enrolled individuals’ criminal history records, eliminating the need for periodic fingerprint background checks. So far, the continuous checks have provided 269 Rap Back Notifications. Rap Back was mandated by the Virginia General Assembly and is open to school divisions as well as other authorized agencies such as Criminal Justice Agencies.
“Real-time updates provide our partners with critical information, while at the same time, not adding to their administrative burden,” said Captain Julia Gunderson, Commander of the Virginia State Police Criminal Justice Information Division. “It allows both VSP and partner agencies to protect the vulnerable by providing clear information about those tasked with their care.”
The elimination of the need for periodic fingerprint background checks provides a more cost-effective solution for ensuring security and compliance.
Criminal Justice Agencies may register staff members at no cost. Notifications of any criminal history updates will be sent to the designated contact on the agency’s account. All other eligible agencies will complete an initial enrollment that requires a mandatory State and Federal background check costing $27, plus a $12 first-year enrollment fee, for a total of $39. Each subsequent year costs $12.
Entities wishing to participate can visit the VSP website for onboarding instructions and eligibility information.
The largest agency enrolled so far is the Fairfax County Public School System, the largest school system in the Commonwealth.
