COMMON LIVE SCAN QUESTIONS

If you have questions that are not covered in the following FAQ list, please contact us at (818) 995-3011 and we will be happy to assist you!

Questions About Live Scans

What are Fingerprint Records used for?

Fingerprint records are used to determine an individual’s (Applicant) suitability for employment, licensing, certification and/or volunteer position. In other words, a background check is conducted to determine if the applicant has engaged in any criminal activity, or has prior felony convictions, that would make them unsuitable for the position they are applying for.

No. Once your fingerprint record has been processed and your suitability for licensing and/or employment have been reported to your Referring Agency, your fingerprint record is deleted. The only civilian fingerprint records kept on file are those belonging to convicted felons.

You should fill in the “Alias” (aka) section of the “Request For Live Scan Service” form if you have ever used a different name in an official capacity (i.e. maiden name, professional name, etc.).

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the rule is, when in doubt, list it.

Yes. If you do not provide the Live Scan Operator with your Social Security number you will not receive service. The Department of Justice has strict policies and procedures when it comes to the care and safety of citizens’ (applicants’) personal information. A reputable Live Scan service provider, by law, must adhere to these rules. All Live Scan systems are to be stored in a locked and secure area. Fingerprint records may not remain on a Live Scan system beyond 40 days — they must be purged Applicant Live Scan forms must be stored in a secure, locked area. After a designated period of time the expired forms must be shredded — not dumped in the trash — and disposed of.

AMERITEK ID recommends that when you go in for Live Scan service, take a moment to access the facility that will be preparing your record.

Does the facility appear to be secure? Does it look like records and paperwork are orderly and being kept in locked cabinets? Is there limited public access to the Live Scan system(s)? If you are not comfortable with what you see — trust your judgment. Seek the services of another provider.

No. Unfortunately, the DOJ does not offer an expedited process.

The rolling fee is the amount charged by the Live Scan agency to digitally capture your fingerprints and transmit them to the Department of Justice (DOJ). This fee may vary from agency to agency. Government fees do not vary however.

It is illegal for any service provider to inflate monies collected for Government processing fees.

Live Scan technicians in California MUST be certified by the Department of Justice in order to provide this service. At AMERITEK ID, we require that all of our Live Scan technicians take advanced training not only in Live Scan, but in the state laws and regulations that govern the process.

Typically the charge is $32.
There may be fee adjustments based on an organization’s non-profit status and/or other considerations. Ask your referring employer, licensing agency, volunteer organization or referring agency to advise you regarding what fees to expect.

The FBI reduced its processing fee last year. Typically the charge is $19. There are fee adjustments based on an organization’s non-profit status and/or other considerations. Ask your referring employer, licensing agency, volunteer organization or referring agency to advise you regarding what fee to expect.

Yes. First, after your suitability for licensing and/or employment have been determined and the Referring Agency has been notified by the Department of Justice, your fingerprint record is deleted — there is no record to “share” with your new employer and/or licensing agency.

Secondly, by law, licensing agencies, organizations and/or companies may not share applicant background information. It is against the law and in violation of your right to privacy.

No. An organization, employer and/or licensing agency must be authorized by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to submit applicant fingerprints for background checks. There must be a mandated requirement based upon the type of business the organization, employer and/or licensing agency conducts in order to obtain authorization.

“California law authorizes certain governmental and private organizations to conduct criminal record background checks to help determine the suitability of a person applying for a license, employment or as a volunteer working with children, the elderly or disabled. Law enforcement agencies, public and private schools, non-profit organizations and in-home supportive care agencies are some of the agencies authorized to conduct fingerprint background checks.” – per DOJ 9/09

“No. California Penal Code section 11142 prohibits you from giving a copy of your criminal record to an unauthorized third party. In addition, California Penal Code section 11125 prohibits an individual or agency from requiring you to provide him/her or the agency with a copy of your criminal record or proof that a record does or does not exist. Violation of either of these sections is a misdemeanor offense.” – per the DOJ 8/09

Yes, you may utilize Live Scan fingerprinting and request a “Personal Criminal Record Review” from the California Department of Justice. The DOJ charges $25 to process this request and a copy of your background information will be mailed to you.

“Please allow a minimum of seven days before making a status inquiry. Applicants should check first with the applicant agency that requested the background review since the DOJ sends results directly to the applicant agency. Poor quality fingerprints, records that contain criminal information, erroneous information submitted on the fingerprint transaction, and individuals born before 1920 who have submitted manual fingerprints in the past may delay the reporting of results. Since the DOJ normally responds to the applicant agency, please check with the agency first. If a requesting agency does not have results yet and digital Live Scan fingerprints were submitted, you can use the automated telephone system to check on your submission. You will need the following information: (1) your date of birth; and (2) the 10-digit Automated Transaction Identifier (ATI) number that appears at the bottom of the Department of Justice form requesting Live Scan fingerprint background checks. The ATI number always appears in the following sequence: 1 LETTER; 3 NUMBERS; 3 LETTERS and 3 NUMBERS.

If it has been at least seven days since you were fingerprinted and the automated telephone system does not recognize the transaction, call your DOJ Applicant Program technician or (916) 227-3823 for assistance.” – per the DOJ 8/09

Fingerprints can be rejected for several reasons. The most common are characteristics with the Applicant’s fingerprints that make them difficult to capture. This would include cuts, cracks, scars and calluses. If an Applicant’s fingerprints are rejected on this basis, the originating Live Scan agency must re-take the Applicant’s fingerprints at no additional cost.
An Applicant’s application for Live Scan service may also be rejected if the Applicant’s BCII 8016 form is incorrect, incomplete or improperly filled out. In this instance, fees would be charged to the Applicant to provide them with repeated Live Scan service. It is important that the Application for Live Scan form BCII 8016 is complete and accurate when presented to the Live Scan technician for service. It is your responsibility.

Rarely there will be an instance where an Applicant’s fingerprints are rejected because of error on the part of the Live Scan technician. If this is the cause of the rejection the originating Live Scan service provider must re-take the Applicant’s fingerprints at no cost.

Your letter of rejection from the DOJ and a copy of your original Live Scan form.

This letter of rejection contains your ATI (Applicant Transmission Identifier) number which is necessary for resubmission. You should make arrangements with the Live Scan agency that originally captured your fingerprints to retake them.

Per the DOJ, if your record was rejected due to poor fingerprint quality or an error on the part of the fingerprint technician, the original Live Scan service provider must prepare your re-submission record at no charge.

“If you think the information contained within your criminal history record is incorrect, you may submit a formal challenge to the DOJ only after you have received a copy of your record from the Department pursuant to California Penal Code sections 11120 – 11127.
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (BCII) form 8706, “Claim of Inaccuracy or Incompleteness” will be mailed to you along with your record. Submit form 8706 and any supporting documentation to the Department of Justice at the address provided on the form. The challenge will be reviewed and a written response will be provided along with an amended copy of your criminal history record, if appropriate.” – per the DOJ 8/09

“The DOJ is required by law to record summary arrest, detention, disposition, and personal identification information when submitted by a law enforcement agency or court of this state. The record retention policy of the Department is to maintain criminal history information until the subject reaches 100 years of age.” – per the DOJ 8/09

“Arrest and court disposition information can only be modified or deleted by court order or at the direction of the arresting agency/district attorney having jurisdiction over the criminal matter.

The Department of Justice is required to record summary arrest, detention, disposition, and personal identification information when submitted by a law enforcement agency or court of this state.

The record retention policy of the Department is to maintain criminal history information until the subject of the record reaches 100 years of age.” – per the DOJ 8/09

” Section 1203.4 does not obliterate the fact that a defendant has been “finally adjudged guilty of a crime.”
It merely frees the convicted felon from certain “penalties and disabilities” of a criminal or like nature.” – per the DOJ 8/09

For the most part criminal background checks are proprietary by state. For instance a Live Scan record captured in California can not be transmitted to Ohio for processing. Live Scan records must be processed within the state where the service was provided. Each state conducts their own criminal background check before issuing professional licenses, certifications and employment clearances for that state.

FBI Fingerprint Cards are used primarily for out-of-state licensing where the applicant is not able to travel to that location for printing. They are also used by the Securities and Banking Industries, the Federal Government, National Government Agencies, Tribal Gaming Authorities, Immigration, Visa applicants when called for and for Federal Criminal Background Checks. These entities utilize a different processing pathway that is not available on a state level.
In order for FBI Fingerprint Cards to be valid they must be prepared by a Department of Justice certified fingerprint technician with a current FPC ID number. The fingerprint technician must sign the card and include their FPC ID number. If a fingerprint card does not meet this requirement, in most instances, it will be challenged by the requesting state or national agency. The applicant will then be asked to re-submit a new fingerprint card that has been properly prepared.

   OUR LOCATIONS

Encino/Sherman Oaks Service Center
14622 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, CA
Tel: (818) 995-3011
Fax: (818) 783-7531

Pasadena Area Service Center
80. W. Sierra Madre Blvd. #193
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Tel: (888) 417-0203

South L.A. Service Center
1773 E Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90002
Tel: (888) 417-0203

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