Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, there is no way to expedite the process.

The process takes up to 48 hours.

Livescan device is a term used to describe the scanners used to directly capture fingerprints through a scanning function. Persons being screened place their hands directly on the scanner for reading. Fingerprint scanning using a Livescan device provides faster results and generally costs less than hard card scanning as there is less handling involved.

Livescan capture also produces a better quality print, so there is a lower rejection rate of illegible prints (no ink smudging, etc). Hard card scanning is a method of submitting a traditional fingerprint card where finger prints are “rolled” in ink onto an FBI fingerprint card.

Cards may be converted to “electronic” by using a machine that scans the cards. There is typically a fee associated with “rolling the prints” as a high degree of skill is required to achieve the necessary quality.

Because the Florida Department of Health retains fingerprints on any applicant who is required to undergo a criminal history screening starting January 1, 2013, those prints are retained in the Care Provider Clearinghouse.

This Clearinghouse allows for the sharing of criminal history information among specified agencies. One of the requirements for the Clearinghouse is a photograph taken at time of fingerprinting.

If your fingerprints are submitted without a photograph, you may have to undergo additional fingerprinting in the future.

Out of state and out of the country applicants are still required to submit their fingerprints electronically. There are national Livescan service providers, such as L1 Identity Solutions, Fieldprint, and National Fingerprint, Inc. which can assist out-of-state applicants. You can obtain a hard fingerprint card from the FBI’s website or by contacting your board office.

Starting January 1, 2013, the Florida Department of Health retains fingerprints on any applicant who is required to undergo a criminal history screening in the Care Provider Clearinghouse. This Clearinghouse allows for the sharing of criminal history information among specified agencies.

One of the requirements for the Clearinghouse is a photograph taken at time of fingerprinting, therefore, if your fingerprints are submitted without a photograph, you may have to undergo additional fingerprinting in the future when applying at a different agency.

A Social Security Number is not required for Livescan. You can find a list of providers who provide this service on the Department’s Livescan Service Provider website.

Please note: If you are an applicant located outside of the U.S., you will need to contact a Livescan service provider who has the capability to convert a traditional (hard card) into an electronic fingerprint card. To obtain an electronic copy of the fingerprint card, please visit the FBI’s website.

As an applicant, you have the choice to select a service provider approved by the FDLE. Since DOH does not approve or regulate Livescan service providers, you will be fully responsible for the fingerprint submission and for ensuring that the prints have been timely submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The DOH retrieves the fingerprint results from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement electronically.

We suggest that you ask the service provider for a receipt showing payment date and other pertinent information in case you need to go back to them for assistance.

The electronic fingerprint scanning machines are equipped to determine if your fingerprints scanned successfully; however, if it is determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that your prints were not legible, we will send you a notification letter asking you to go back to the same service provider that did your initial prints and schedule a re-roll of your prints.

You will be required to bring the notification letter with you as information such as the TCN (Transaction Control Number) and TCR (Transaction Control Reference) must be identified and used at the time of the reroll. You will be responsible for any costs associated with the re-roll of your fingerprints.

As of the date of the mailing of the deficiency letter, your electronic fingerprinting results have not been transmitted to the Department. We will not be able to process your application until we have received this information. You should contact your fingerprint service provider to determine if they have submitted the prints to the FDLE for processing.

You can view the service provider options and contact information on the Livescan Service Providers List (As of the date of the mailing of the deficiency letter, your electronic fingerprinting results have not been transmitted to the Department. We will not be able to process your application until we have received this information. You should contact your fingerprint service provider to determine if they have submitted the prints to the FDLE for processing.

You can view the service provider options and contact information on the Livescan Service Providers List. Applicants should submit their applications prior to submitting their fingerprints in order to afford themselves an opportunity to resolve any application deficiencies prior to the expiration of the criminal history results.

All applicants will be required to bring two (2) forms of identification to the electronic fingerprinting site on the day of fingerprinting.

One of the two types of identification must bear your picture and signature such as a driver’s license, state identification card or passport.

The total fee charged by each service provider varies. Please contact the service provider to obtain this information. The fingerprint results are usually received by the Department two to four days after your fingerprints are scanned.

You can view the service provider options and contact information on the Livescan Service Providers List

In the traditional method of fingerprinting, ink is applied to each of your fingers which are then rolled across a fingerprint card to obtain your prints.

With electronic fingerprinting, there is no ink or card. Your fingerprints are rolled across a glass plate and scanned. It is faster and cleaner than the traditional method.

Electronic fingerprinting reduces the likelihood of illegible fingerprints and will reduce the overall application processing time.