Live Scan Fingerprinting - Occupational Licensing
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Information Sheet
What is Live Scan fingerprinting?
Live Scan is inkless electronic fingerprinting. The fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for completion of a criminal record check.
Who is affected by it?
Anyone applying for the first time to be licensed as a vehicle salesperson, dealer, driving instructor, manufacturer, transporter, dismantler, registration service, distributor, lessor-retailer, remanufacturer, or any other vehicle industry relating to an occupational license issued by DMV will be Live Scan fingerprinted. It also applies to first time applicants for an ambulance driver certificate.
Why "Live Scan" fingerprinting?
As a result of legislation in late 1997, DOJ has developed an automated background check process that requires digitized fingerprints ("Live Scan"). Beginning January 1, 2000, DOJ has asked that fingerprints be submitted by Live Scan rather than hard copy fingerprint cards. Digitizing the fingerprints enables the electronic transfer of the fingerprint image data along with personal descriptor information to computers at the DOJ in a matter of seconds, instead of the days required to send hard copy fingerprint cards through the mail. DOJ's goal is to process 95% of the digitized fingerprints within 3 days.
When does it start?
Live Scan fingerprinting for DMV applicants started January 1, 2000.
What is the cost to be Live Scan fingerprinted?
The Live Scan fingerprinting service fee varies from about $5 to $20. The cost to electronically fingerprint the applicant is determined by the local Live Scan agency. According to DOJ, they can charge a fee sufficient to recover their costs. The $32 DOJ criminal record check fee is collected at the Live Scan site.
What will the applicant need to do to be Live Scan fingerprinted?
The applicant may call the local police or sheriff's department to find their local Live Scan sites that are open to the general public. The applicant can also call the department's Occupational Licensing offices in Sacramento (916) 229-3126 or Los Angeles (213) 744-7563 and be mailed the department's Live Scan request form. A sample of the department's Live Scan form is attached. DMV-8016, Live Scan request form (PDF). If the licensee does not use the department's Live Scan form, it is suggested he/she take a sample of the form with them to ensure the Live Scan site has all the information needed for transmitting the data to Occupational Licensing.
Note: the applicant must go to a Live Scan site to be Live Scan fingerprinted before applying for an occupational license at DMV. If you have held an Occupational License issued by DMV in the past 3 years, you may not require a new set of prints.
Where are the Live Scan sites?
There are more than 130 Live Scan sites throughout the state. A current list of DOJ's Live Scan stations is also attached. You can find an up-to-date Live Scan site list on DOJ's Internet web page at:
http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm
Or, you may call your local police or sheriff's department for the nearest Live Scan station that is available to the general public.
What are the benefits of Live Scan?
Live Scan will avoid many of the problems associated with ink prints, such as smudging, smearing, and over or under inking. A major benefit of Live Scan is in processing speed since nearly all of those without criminal records are done within 3 days. Rolled ink prints (traditionally submitted on a fingerprint card) can take 10 to 12 days to process and up to 60 days if there is a criminal record.