Key takeaways
- Fingerprint-based checks match records to a person’s biometric identity, not only to a name and date of birth.
- Fingerprints reach the FBI through a state agency, a federal agency or an FBI-approved channeler, depending on the purpose of the check.
- Unclear prints can be rejected, so accurate capture matters as much as the paperwork.
Why fingerprints are used for background checks
Name-based searches rely on details like name and date of birth, which can be shared, misspelled or changed. Fingerprints are unique to each person, so a fingerprint-based check links criminal history records to the individual rather than to a name.
That is why many licensing boards, government programs and employers in regulated fields require fingerprint-based FBI background check fingerprinting instead of, or in addition to, name-based screening.
Who can request an FBI fingerprint check
FBI criminal history checks for employment and licensing are generally available when a federal or state law authorizes them for a particular purpose, such as certain healthcare, education, childcare, financial or security roles. Individuals can also request a copy of their own record, called an Identity History Summary.
If you are unsure whether your requirement is an FBI check, a state check or both, the requesting organization’s instructions should say.
How fingerprints are submitted
Once captured, fingerprints travel to the FBI through an authorized route. For many state licensing and employment checks, prints go to the state’s central criminal records repository, which searches state records and forwards the submission to the FBI. Federal agencies and certain authorized organizations submit through their own channels.
For a personal Identity History Summary request, individuals can generally submit directly to the FBI or use an FBI-approved channeler.
Live Scan and FD-258 cards
Fingerprints can be captured and submitted in two main ways.
| Method | How it works | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Live Scan | Digital capture and electronic transmission to an agency or organization that accepts it | In-state requirements and programs set up for electronic submission |
| FD-258 card | Standard ink fingerprint card completed and then mailed, delivered or processed as instructed | Out-of-state applicants, some federal requirements and agencies that require hard cards |
Neither method is better in every case. The right one is the method your requesting agency accepts for your purpose. Our guide to Live Scan fingerprinting near me covers how to find a provider that fits.
Channelers, channeling agencies and certified providers
An FBI-approved channeler is a private company authorized by the FBI to receive fingerprint submissions and forward them electronically for processing. You may also see the term authorized FBI channeling agency. Channelers are commonly used for personal Identity History Summary requests and for some authorized employment and licensing purposes.
Separately, some states approve or certify the providers who can capture fingerprints for their own programs. California, for example, certifies Live Scan operators through its Department of Justice, which is where the phrase DOJ-certified Live Scan provider comes from. Other states use designated vendors or their own approval processes.
When a requirement calls for a specific submission route, ask any provider how they will submit your fingerprints and confirm it matches your instructions before your appointment.
Why accurate capture matters
A fingerprint check can only be processed if the images are clear enough to classify and search. Smudged, partial or low-contrast prints can be rejected, which usually means being fingerprinted again and restarting part of the wait.
Careful capture includes verifying identity, positioning each finger correctly, checking image quality before submission and completing every required field accurately.
Why requirements vary
The FBI processes the check, but the requesting organization defines the purpose, the required form and whether results go to an employer, a licensing board or the individual. That is why two people asking for an FBI background check can receive very different instructions. The main variables are:
- The agency or employer requesting the check
- The legal purpose the check is authorized for
- The state involved and its submission process
- Whether results are returned to you or to the requesting organization
Organizations coordinating checks for many people across several states can read how multi-state fingerprinting programs are organized, or see our programs for security companies with licensing requirements.