[scottk_61]

I am in the Tampa area, and the cost to us is entirely out of our pocket.
Different counties have dealt differently with this issue.
Our association (local) keeps its dues very low and thus we have no money to help out with the cost.
the state association (FHSAA) does give a rebate on first year officials on the normal registration fees. This also included all of us having to have it done last year.
The background check is good for five years as best I can remember, so the cost isn't so bad.
However, every county in the state charges a different rate, and some counties tried to make you have the check done in each county you worked in.
Not a problem for most of our umps as we have 27 or 28 public high schools thus you dont need to cross county lines unless you want to.
this has supposedly been straightened out but time will tell.