FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT FINGERPRINTING

This is the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list for the Fingerprint Live Scan Unit. It provides a resource of answers to commonly asked questions such as fee, appointments, and online scheduler.

	Is it possible for my new employer or agency to use the results of previously taken prints?
	What do I need to bring to my fingerprint appointment?
	Is there a fee for fingerprinting?
	How do I prepare for my Live Scan appointment?
	How long will it be before the employer or agency receives my fingerprint clearance?
	What should I do if my clearance has been delayed?
	What if I cannot keep my fingerprint appointment?
	What are "Fingerprint Cards"?
	What about applicants with rejected fingerprints?

Q. I have provided fingerprints to other employers or agencies. Is it possible for my new employer or agency to use the results of previously taken prints?

A. No. Per the CA Department of Justice (DOJ), each applicant must be fingerprinted every time he/she applies with another agency for a license or job. Previous criminal history information provided to an applicant’s current or most recent employer or agency is confidential and cannot be shared with another agency.

Q. What do I need to bring to my fingerprint appointment?

Answer:

• A picture identification (drivers license, identification card, or passport)
• REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE form(s)
• INS/Resident or green card if you are not a U.S citizen
• A valid Social Security number is required on form

Q. Is there a fee for fingerprinting?

A. If you are applying for a teaching credential, permit, or certificate and providing fingerprints to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), effective March 1, 2006 the following prices will be in effect:

• CCTC Fingerprint Services will be $71.00
  This includes $32.00 DOJ charges, $24.00 FBI Charges and $15.00 Livescan Rolling Fee
   

• CCTC + Clearinghouse will be a total of $128.00
  This includes $71.00 Commission and $57.00 Clearinghouse Charges
   

• Non-Profit Agencies are $15.00.
  For additional clearances the following rolling fee will apply
  • DOJ: $32.00
  • FBI: $24.00
  • Child Abuse Index (CAI): $25.00
  • Firearms: $38.00
  
   
• All outside agencies and private schools are $18.00.
   

• All school districts and COE's are $25.00 rolling fee.

The SCCOE charges employers and agencies a service (rolling) fee per applicant. However, most of our clients including school districts and education employers have previously arranged to pay the service fee through an open billing account. Please check with the employer or agency regarding any fees that must be paid at the time of your appointment.

Q. How do I prepare for my Live Scan appointment?

A. Please ensure your form(s) have been completely filled-out before your appointment. Arrive on time for your appointment, check in at the fingerprint desk, and present your REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE form.

It is most important for your hands to be clean. Do not apply lotion or cream on your hands before your appointment. Fingernails should be trimmed (extensively long nails are prohibited) and rings with large stones should not be worn. This will prevent any possibility of damaging the Live Scan platen.

Q. How long will it be before the employer or agency receives my fingerprint clearance?

A. On the day of your appointment, the Live Scan Technician will submit your fingerprints electronically to the Department of Justice/ FBI. Generally, it will take three to seven working days for the employer or agency to receive the DOJ clearance. During peak employment periods (August - October), the clearance may be delayed.

EXTENSIVE DELAYS: Please be aware that your clearance will be extensively delayed (for up to 30 days) for any of the following reasons:

1. If you have not lived in California for at least one year;
2. If your year of birth is prior to 1945, or;
3. If you have an arrest record.

Q. What should I do if my clearance has been delayed?

A. Please do not inquire about clearances for at least seven days. After seven days, refer questions to your employer or the agency requesting your clearance. If you are an SCCOE employment applicant, you may contact the Human Resources Operations Manager (at 408.453.6922) to inquire about your clearance. Please be aware the SCCOE Fingerprint Live Scan Unit does not receive or have access to clearance information and the Department of Justice does not respond to phone inquiries from individual applicants.

Because the Department of Justice processes a very high volume of applicant fingerprints (about 4,000 a day!) on a very stringent schedule, telephone calls from licensing or employing agencies inquiring about the status of an applicant’s fingerprint clearance will not be returned until the seven day processing time has elapsed.

Q. What if I cannot keep my fingerprint appointment?

A. If you must cancel your appointment, call us, as soon as possible, at (408) 453-4305. If the Live Scan Technician is serving another applicant or unavailable, please leave a message. Include your name, telephone number, and the date and time of the appointment to be cancelled. Also indicate if you need to have your call returned to schedule another appointment, otherwise, we will assume that you will schedule another appointment using the on-line appointment scheduler.

Q. What are "Fingerprint Cards"?

A. Effective July 2005, FBI no longer accepts cards.

Q. What about applicants with rejected fingerprints?

A. If you are returning to the SCCOE Fingerprint Live Scan Unit to be re-printed due to a DOJ or FBI rejection, you must bring a copy of the rejection notice with you. If you do not have a copy of the rejection notice with you, you will be re-charged the applicable fees. With the copy of the rejection notice, no additional fees will be charged.

Date last updated: February 28, 2006