Livescan and Real Estate Licensing

Live Scan is an electronic fingerprinting process in California that captures fingerprints digitally and sends them directly to specific agencies, such as the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for a background check. This process is commonly used for employment, licensing, and certification purposes.

Here's how it typically works:

1. Fingerprinting Appointment: You must schedule an appointment with a Live Scan service provider. During the appointment, your fingerprints are taken electronically, without the need for the traditional ink and paper method.
2. Filling Out the Form: Before taking your fingerprints, you'll fill out a Live Scan form that includes your personal information and the type of background check required. This form will also specify the agencies that will receive your background check results.
3. Taking Fingerprints: The technician uses a scanner to capture images of your fingerprints. This process is quick and usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Submission for Background Check: The fingerprints and your details from the Live Scan form are electronically transmitted to the appropriate agencies.
5. Processing: The DOJ and possibly the FBI process your fingerprints to check for criminal records or other relevant information.
6. Results: The background check results are sent directly to the employer or agency that requested them. The turnaround time can vary, but it typically takes a few days to a few weeks.
7. Privacy and Security: The data transmitted during the Live Scan process is encrypted to ensure privacy and security.

Live Scan is preferred over traditional methods because it's faster, and the digital method reduces the chance of errors commonly associated with ink fingerprinting.

An applicant for any real estate license is required to provide one set of fingerprints that are classifiable and accepted by the State Department of Justice (DOJ). Fingerprints can be taken either after applying for the examination or once the examination has been passed. If an applicant fails the examination, fingerprint processing fees will not be refunded. Social security numbers must be included on examination applications to ensure that the fingerprint reports are accurately matched and sent to the Department of Real Estate (DRE).

Fingerprints must be submitted through the DOJ's Live Scan Program, which captures and sends fingerprints to both the DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) using the Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) form, which is a PDF document. An original license will only be issued once the DRE has received and reviewed reports from both the DOJ and the FBI.

To have your fingerprints taken, bring the Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) form to a Live Scan service provider participating in the program. There is a fingerprint processing fee of $49, plus an additional fee charged by the Live Scan provider, both of which are payable directly at the service provider (not to the DRE). After having your fingerprints taken, submit a copy of the Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) form with Part 3 completed to the DRE.

For those not residing in California, you can get fingerprinted at a Live Scan service provider within California by following the instructions mentioned above, or outside of California using two FBI Applicant Fingerprint Cards (FD-258). If using fingerprint cards, take them to a local law enforcement agency to be filled out and send them directly to the DRE along with the completed license application, the license application fee, and the $49 fingerprint processing fee (a combined payment for exam/license and fingerprint fees is acceptable).

ADHI Schools is here to help you apply for the exam and we can even roll your fingerprints for you if you are local to Rancho Cucamonga. While the Livescan won’t give us a copy of your background check, be sure to disclose anything requested on the application in terms of background items. The DRE may not issue you a license if they deem that your background would warrant denial of a license.

Love,

Kartik