What Is Live Scan Fingerprinting? A Complete Guide for 2026
Everything you need to know about Live Scan fingerprinting — how it works, where to get it, what it costs, and why agencies prefer it over ink cards.
What Is Live Scan Fingerprinting?
Live Scan is a digital fingerprint capture technology that electronically transmits your prints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI. Unlike traditional ink-and-paper fingerprinting, Live Scan uses a glass scanner — no ink, no mess, and significantly fewer rejections due to poor print quality.
The term 'Live Scan' refers to the fact that your fingerprints are captured as a live digital image. The machine scans your fingers, checks the quality in real time, and either accepts or rejects each print on the spot. This quality check is the key advantage: you know immediately whether your prints passed before you leave the office.
How Live Scan Works (Step by Step)
- 01You arrive with a valid government-issued photo ID and your ORI number.
- 02The technician cleans your hands to remove oils and debris.
- 03You place each finger and thumb on the glass scanner plate.
- 04The system captures a high-resolution digital image of each print.
- 05Built-in quality algorithms check for smudges, incomplete ridges, or pressure issues.
- 06Your prints are encrypted and transmitted electronically to FDLE and/or FBI.
- 07You receive a TCN (Transaction Control Number) to track your submission.
Live Scan vs. Ink Fingerprints: Why Digital Wins
Ink fingerprinting has been around for over a century, but it comes with problems — smudging, over-inking, under-inking, and the fact that the FBI rejects roughly 30% of ink cards on the first submission. Live Scan eliminates these issues:
- Rejection rate under 2% vs. ~30% for ink cards
- Results in 24–72 hours vs. 2–8 weeks for ink
- No physical ink, no clean-up, no waiting for cards to dry
- Instant quality feedback — you know before you leave
- Electronic transmission is more secure than mailed cards
- TCN allows real-time status tracking
Who Needs Live Scan in Florida?
Live Scan is required for Level 2 background screening in Florida. This applies to virtually every licensed professional — healthcare workers, teachers, real estate agents, security guards, contractors, childcare workers, and more. If your licensing board or employer asks for 'Level 2 screening' or 'electronic fingerprints,' they mean Live Scan.
- Nurses, physicians, and all DOH-licensed healthcare professionals
- Teachers, school staff, and education contractors (Level 2)
- Real estate agents and brokers (DBPR/FREC)
- Security guards (Chapter 493 — Class D and G licenses)
- Childcare workers and foster parents (DCF)
- Contractors and home inspectors (DBPR)
- Insurance agents and adjusters (DFS)
- Community association managers (CAM)
- Volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults (VECHS)
Live Scan Cost in Miami (2026)
At Provn, Live Scan fingerprinting is $129 all-inclusive — no hidden state fees added at checkout. This includes the digital capture, FDLE submission, and your TCN for tracking. Results are typically returned to your requesting agency within 24–72 hours.
Pro tip: Always confirm your ORI number before your appointment. The wrong ORI means your prints go to the wrong agency, and you'll need to redo the process. Our Agency Finder tool can look it up by profession.
Common Live Scan Questions
Do I need an appointment? No — walk-ins are welcome 7 days a week, 8AM–9PM. But booking online guarantees your slot.
What do I bring? A valid government-issued photo ID and your ORI number. Most licensing boards include the ORI in your application materials.
How long does it take? The capture itself takes about 15 minutes. Your agency typically receives results in 24–72 hours, though some checks clear same-day.
Ready to get fingerprinted?
Book your Live Scan appointment — $129 all-inclusive