Live Scan is a method of fingerprinting used by the Department of Justice for criminal background checks on employees in some industries, such as healthcare. Live Scan fingerprints are taken electronically on an electronic fingerprint reader. The fingerprint information is then sent electronically to the Department of Justice, where it is processed into an electronic fingerprint card.

Live Scan was developed by the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), which is part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS). IAFIS maintains a database of all fingerprints on file with the FBI.

How Is Live Scan Different From Traditional Fingerprinting?

Traditional fingerprinting involves ink-and-roll print sheets that are mailed to the FBI. If you are applying for employment with an organization that requires a fingerprint check, you will be asked to go to a local law enforcement agency or authorized vendor for your prints to be taken. With traditional fingerprinting, you will sit at a table and have your fingers rolled onto an ink pad one at a time. Then you will place each finger onto an ink roll that has been cut to fit over your finger. Each finger is rolled five times so the technician has five separate prints on each finger print card when they are completed.

Live Scan fingerprinting is a way of electronically capturing your fingerprints. There are two different types of Live Scan fingerprinting. One is for employment purposes. The other is for the purpose of conducting background checks for state licenses or permits or certification.