Livescan Fingerprinting for Your Guard Card: What to Bring, What It Costs

Livescan is the electronic fingerprinting step of your guard card application: a certified operator scans your prints digitally (no ink) and transmits them to the California Department of Justice and the FBI for your background review. It takes one short visit — if you show up prepared. Here's exactly what that means.

What to bring to your appointment

1. The Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016), filled out for the security guard applicant type — BSIS provides the pre-populated version with its application materials. Bring three copies; operators typically keep one and stamp the others as your proof of submission.
2. A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID — driver's license, state ID, or passport.
3. Your Social Security number — operators need it to process the submission.
4. Payment for all fees — the operator's rolling fee plus the DOJ and FBI processing charges are collected together at the visit (typically around $77 total, varying by operator).

Where to go

California has hundreds of certified Livescan locations — sheriff's offices, UPS stores, and private operators — and most accept walk-ins. The California Attorney General's website maintains the official directory of public locations with current rolling fees, so you can pick the cheapest one near you. Some private providers also offer mobile fingerprinting if travel is a barrier.

What happens after your prints are taken

1. The operator transmits your prints electronically to the DOJ, which also forwards them to the FBI.
2. Both agencies run your criminal-history review (what they check, and what matters, is covered in the background-check guide).
3. Results transmit to BSIS, which pairs them with your submitted application and training certificate.

Many results clear within days; some take longer if a record needs manual review. You can track your submission through the DOJ's online applicant status system instead of calling — and BSIS publishes current application processing times.

Sequence it right

The efficient order: finish your 8-hour training first, then do Livescan and submit your BSIS application together. That way the state has everything at once, and you can use the processing window to knock out your 16 mandatory continuing hours.