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Fingerprinting State Requirements
Alaska
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal Only
NOTE: Alaska State Police handle live scan for state purposes only. The state does accept physical fingerprint cards instead of state Police live scan services.
Arizona
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal and some state
Details: Some private companies are awarded a contract to handle state live scan. Arizona requires a unique type of fingerprinting called "fingerprint clearance cards". Clearance cards are gotten either by live scan background checks or fingerprint card background checks. Any private provider in the state can offer fingerprint clearance card services by offering fingerprint card based background checks.
Alabama
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: A private company holds the contract for Alabama state live scan services. Ink fingerprinting is available throughout the state and live scan for private companies is acceptable but for federal purposes only.
Arkansas
License: None for ink, live scan requires licensing
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal and state available
Details :Arkansas has ink fingerprinting available without a license by any private provider. Live scan is accepted for private companies to service. However, there are two types.
A live scan harvester validated with the state of Arkansas can send electronic fingerprint files to both the state and federal government for state livescan services.
A live scan operator can send electronic fingerprints for state services only.
The Arkansas Dept. of Public safety handles the live scan approval process for private companies.
California
License: Required
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Available throughout state
Details: California requires a "fingerprint rolling certificate" for any private companies offering fingerprinting services both ink and live scan. Live scan is available throughout the state for private companies to offer. However, specific software, hardware, and PSP connection is needed along with acceptance with Cal DOJ is needed before starting. Startup time can be 6-9 months when getting live scan systems with vendors familiar with California.
Colorado
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Colorado live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Connecticut
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Connecticut live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Delaware
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Delaware live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Florida
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal and state available
Details: Private companies can both offer live scan for federal and state purposes. This is done with a direct or subsidiary connection to the FDLE for processing by purchasing a live scan system from a company that can help facilitate this.
Georgia
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Georgia live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Hawaii
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Hawaii has a contracted vendor for state live scan services.
Idaho
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal and state with exception
Details: Private companies can offer live scan for federal purposes.
For state purposes, a work around can be possible since Idaho Bureau of Criminal Investigations allows fingerprint cards to be sent in on behalf of a background check, a live scan system could help if you use the card scanning service within the system to then mail out the card to Idaho.
It would be best to contact Idaho BCI and a company that sells live scan systems with card scanning in order to start offering and advertising this within the state.
Illinois
License: None needed. Fingerprint test needs to be passed for state live scan acceptance.
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal and state
Details: Private companies can offer federal and state live scan service. Illinois state police requires a test to be passed in order to allow state processing of electronic fingerprints by a private company.
To get this done, a live scan system and company familiar with Illinois connections should be partnered with and a process with the state regarding live scan inspection and confirmation is needed before fingerprints can begin being sent to the state for processing.
Indiana
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Indiana live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Iowa
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Iowa live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Kansas
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Kansas live scan is handled by companies and providers accepted by the KBI. At this time there are no new registrations with the KBI and state police handle most inquires. The KBI does however accept private providers to have their customers mail in fingerprint cards instead of state live scan.
Louisiana
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Louisiana live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
NOTE: Louisiana does allow private providers to have their customers mail in fingerprint cards instead of live scan if available.
Maine
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Maine live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Maryland
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal and state
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. Maryland CJIS does allow private providers to be accepted but they need to go through a vetting process with Maryland CJIS first and have a live scan system that they specify is able to connect to CJIS.
Massachusetts
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Massachusetts live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Michigan
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
Minnesota
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Minnesota live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Mississippi
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
Missouri
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
Montana
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
Nebraska
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
Nevada
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal and state available
Details: Private companies can both offer live scan for federal and state purposes. This is done with a direct or subsidiary connection to the Nevada DPS for processing by purchasing a live scan system from a company that can help facilitate this.
New Hampshire
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
New Jersey
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
New Mexico
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
New York
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of New York live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
North Carolina
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of North Carolina live scan services are handled by the county sheriffs offices.
North Dakota
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of North Dakota live scan services are handled by the state.
Ohio
License: None needed. State test needed for state live scan services.
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal & state available
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services and Ohio live scan services. Ohio BCI background checks are the states way of processing state live scan services and can be procured by private companies after purchasing a live scan system with connectivity to the Ohio Attorney General's office.
Oklahoma
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Oklahoma live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Oergon
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Oregon live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Pennsylvania
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Pennsylvania live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Rhode Island
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Rhode Island live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
South Carolina
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of South Carolina live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
South Dakota
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of South Dakota live scan services are handled by the state itself.
Tennessee
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Tennessee live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Texas
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Texas live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Utah
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
Vermont
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Vermont live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
Virginia
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. the state does accept mailed fingerprint cards instead of live scan for customers but only on a case by case instance.
Washington
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Washington live scan services are handled by the state itself with a contract for a company that delivers the state live scan services currently.
West Virginia
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of West Virginia live scan services are handled by the state.
Wisconsin
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Wisconsin live scan services are handled by the state.
Wyoming
License: None needed
Ink: Available throughout state
Live Scan: Federal only
Details: Private companies can offer federal live scan services within the state. However, state of Wyoming live scan services are handled by the state.