What is a California Live Scan and How Long Does It Take?
- What is a Live Scan?
- DOJ Background Check Process
- FBI Background Check Process
- Delays
- Background Check Status
- Failures
What is a Live Scan?
Live Scan is a digital fingerprinting system. The digital information is automatically sent to the appropriate agency, based upon the "Request for Live Scan Service" form's ORI code. For security guards, this is the Department on Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The applicant completes the form with his/her personal information and takes the form to a live scan operator where the applicant must provide the appropriate identification. In California, fingerprinting must be performed by a certified fingerprint roller or qualified law enforcement personnel.
For California security guards, the requesting agency is the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
At the conclusion of the Live Scan service, the applicant will be provided a applicant transaction identifier (ATI) number. This is normally written onto a copy of the "Request for Live Scan Service" form provided to the applicant.
DOJ Background Check Process
The live scan operator checks the applicant's identification, inputs the applicant's personal descriptor information, captures the applicant's fingerprints electronically, and transmits the data to the DOJ. At the conclusion of the session, the applicant should be provided an applicant transaction identifier (ATI) number, a number used to identify the transaction. The assignment of an ATI number, generated by the live scan device, does not necessarily mean the fingerprint images and personal information was submitted to the DOJ. Although the fingerprint images and personal information are to be transmitted to the DOJ within 24 hours, the actual transmission of the information to the DOJ is at the control of the live scan operator; and varies in timeliness.
Once the transaction is received by the DOJ, the fingerprint images are used to automatically search against all other fingerprint images in the fingerprint database. If there are no fingerprints matching the applicant's fingerprints, the transaction is generally processed electronically without technician intervention within 48 to 72 hours. If an applicant's fingerprints match fingerprints in the database, the associated RAP sheet must be reviewed by a technician. This is a manual process that can take an indeterminate amount of time. The applicant agency is automatically sent a delay notice response. Questions or status inquiries related to a delayed transaction cannot be responded to, as there is no pertinent information that can be statutorily provided until the manual review of the transaction is complete.
FBI Background Check Process
If an FBI criminal background check is requested, the fingerprint images are forwarded to the FBI to perform a fingerprint-based search of records in the national criminal history database. If the applicant's fingerprints match fingerprints in the national criminal history database, the FBI sends the DOJ a cumulative RAP sheet that contains criminal history information from any states or federal agencies that have reported the information to the FBI.
Delays
In addition to fingerprints matching CORI in the criminal history database, delays can be caused for a variety of other reasons; some of which occur before the transaction ever reaches the DOJ. For example, poor fingerprint quality or incorrect data in the electronic transaction can cause a delay.
Poor fingerprint quality means the fingerprint image is not as clear as it should be, which impacts the system's ability to confirm or dismiss a potential fingerprint match. When the ambiguity is identified, the potential match or matches must be manually (visually) compared and verified before the transaction can be processed. It is also entirely possible that fingerprints accepted by the DOJ system could be rejected by the FBI, because the FBI uses a higher threshold (sensitivity when comparing one print to another) to define a match.
Background Check Status
The Applicant Background Check Status provides the applicant with a view of the fingerprint background check status; this status is not an indication of the employment or licensing status. The review of an applicant's criminal history is only one piece of an agency's process in making a suitable determination. The Applicant Background Check Status is located at: https://applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov/. The ATI Number and Date of Birth are required to perform a search.
A security guard applicant may otherwise request a status of their fingerprint background check only with the BSIS.
Applicant Background Check Status
Please allow at least two (2) weeks (10-business days) for the background check.
Failures
Applicants will be notified by letter (snail mail) if there is a problem with the Live Scan or if another set of fingerprints must be taken.
Information provided on this site is for educational purposes. It is not legal advice.