Great News for NICS E-Check Users!
The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section is happy to announce on November 19, 2019, all NICS E-Check passphrases will change from a 90-day expiration to a 180-day expiration. In addition, there will no longer be an inactivity lock occurring after 30 days. Meaning, if you do not log in for a few weeks, your account will no longer be locked for inactivity.
There will be no need to change your password early to have this occur; however, for your countdown at the top of the NICS E-Check screen to update to the new 180 days you will need to reset your passphrase. To reset your passphrase, log into the NICS E-Check and select the “User Accounts - Maintain” and search/select your name. Once there click “REOPEN/EDIT” at the top right of the page, choose the “Change Password,” and follow the instructions on the screen.
Once you have made the change, you will notice your passphrase shows valid for 180 days. No other restrictions will change with NICS E-Check passphrases. Users will still need to have 3 of 4 character classes, a minimum of 8 characters, and a passphrase not used in the last 12 passphrases.
