Live Scan Information

Before the BPM can issue a license to participate in a California podiatric residency program or to practice podiatric medicine in California, a criminal record clearance must be obtained by both the state Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In the past, the Board has required all applicants to submit fingerprint cards in order to facilitate these necessary clearances. However, another option is now available.

California's DOJ has implemented Live Scan, an electronic fingerprinting system with subsequent automated background check and response. The goal of this system is to expedite the background clearance process, both state and federal. For applicants residing in California or in close proximity to California, the BPM is able to offer this alternative to the traditional paper and ink fingerprint cards. Since Live Scan administered by the California DOJ, scanning sites are only located in California. A complete listing of Live Scan sites is available on DOJ's web site at: http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm. You are encouraged to call the site to make an appointment. You may" be required to pay a rolling fee" determined by the local Live Scan agency.

Those applicants utilizing the Live Scan process must take the completed Request for Live Scan Service application to a scanning site for processing; without this application, your fingerprint clearance cannot be provided to the Board, and your licensure will be delayed. Please note this form will print 3 pages, as the application must be in triplicate. After the scanning process is complete, the Live Scan operator will return the second and third copy of the form. Please submit the second copy with your license application. The third copy is for your records. Click here for the Request for Live Scan Service.

The BPM can make either of these options available to applicants. While the cost to process Live Scan and paper fingerprint cards is the same, Live Scan provides a more expeditious response; traditional fingerprint cards can take up to 60 days, while Live Scan results are usually available within 48 - 72 hours.

Out-of-state applicants must contact the Board to request that fingerprint cards be mailed to them. Fingerprints cards should be completed by a local law enforcement office and submitted with the license application.

Additional information regarding fingerprinting: Because applicants from medical professions are required to be concerned with sanitary issues, they wash and scrub their hands so often that images of the fingerprints are often difficult to read. When impressions are of poor quality, they cannot be searched in the DOJ's and FBI's fingerprint database and are usually rejected (whether Live Scan or card). Therefore, please advise the individual processing your prints that extra care needs to be taken to ensure that clear impressions have been made. The FBI has advised that the application of Cornhusker's Lotion to the pads of the fingers for a period of 10-14 days will generate the regrowth of fingerprint ridges.