How does an employer get started?
California law authorizes certain governmental and private organizations to conduct criminal offender record information background checks to help determine the suitability of a person applying for a license, employment, or a volunteer position working with children, the elderly, or the disabled. Law enforcement agencies, public and private schools, non-profit organizations, and in-home supportive care agencies are some of the organizations authorized to conduct these fingerprint-based background checks.
Getting authorized
Step One (1) – Determine if your agency is authorized to submit applicant fingerprints for background checks
- BEFORE any of your potential applicants can be fingerprinted for a background check, you must apply with the DOJ to become an authorized applicant agency unless already designated by law. Please note: The DOJ will only approve an organization if authorized in statute. The authorizing statute will specify the level of service you are authorized to receive (i.e., California criminal history information ONLY or California and Federal criminal history information).
Step Two (2) – Submit the appropriate authorization request forms
- The following are specific authorization request forms for various applicant agencies including, but not limited to, youth organizations, human resources agencies, school contract employers and in-home supportive care providers.
- School Contractors Employers ONLY authorization request packet.
This packet is utilized ONLY by employers providing school site services to a school and the school is requesting the agency conduct background checks of employees prior to starting services.
School Contractor Employers - In-Home Supportive Care Providers ONLY authorization request packet.
This packet is utilized ONLY by agencies with applicants providing non-medical care for an adult in the adult’s own home.
In-Home Supportive Services Care Providers - Youth Organization and Human Resources ONLY authorization request packet.
This packet is utilized ONLY by agencies with employees or volunteers who are directly responsible for the care and security of children, the elderly, the handicapped, or the mentally impaired.
Youth Organizations/ Human Resources Agencies - Contract/Proprietary Security Organizations ONLY authorization request packet.
This packet is utilized ONLY by agencies with employees licensed to provide services as a private patrol operator or is an agency/organization within a business entity that has the primary responsibility of protecting the employees and property of its employer.
Contract/Proprietary Security Organizations - City, County and Special Districts ONLY.
Please contact [email protected] to schedule consultation on current application and resolution drafting procedures. - AmeriCorps Agency Resources ONLY authorization request packet.
This packet is utilized ONLY by AmeriCorps agencies which have employees or volunteers who are directly responsible for the care and security of children, the elderly, the handicapped, or the mentally impaired.
Americorps - Tribal/Designated Agencies ONLY authorization request packet.
This packet is utilized ONLY by federally recognized tribes or agencies designated by a federally recognized tribe for employees and/or volunteers responsible for the care and security of children and the elders or for purposes of tribal home/child placement.
Federally Recognized Tribes/Designated Agencies - Authorization request packet utilized by all applicant agencies unless designated above.
Schools and all other applicant agencies unless designated above
- School Contractors Employers ONLY authorization request packet.
All applications submitted for authorization must be complete and accurate. Applications that are incomplete will be denied and returned to the applicant with explanation for the denial. Agencies may resubmit corrected applications.
Step Three (3) – Determine if your agency is required or wants to receive Subsequent Arrest Notifications on applicants once they are employed or licensed
- Applicant Agencies may apply to receive subsequent arrest notification information for individuals for whom criminal background checks were requested. Subsequent arrest services must be requested in writing and are not retroactive for individuals printed prior to receipt of the subsequent notification agreement.
Subsequent Arrest Service Contract
Step Four (4) – Wait for the authorization to be approved
- You will be notified in writing when you can begin sending applicants to be fingerprinted.
Submitting fingerprints
Once you have been approved, you may begin sending applicants to be fingerprinted.
Step One (1) – Choose the correct form to use
- A Live Scan operator will not take fingerprints if the applicant does not present one of the following forms:
- Most Authorized Applicant Agencies will use the
Form 8016 - Request for Live Scan Services - Public Schools or Joint Powers Agencies ONLY will use
Form 8016A - Request for Live Scan Services (Public Schools or Joint Powers Agencies) - Electronic Recording Delivery System will use
Form 8016ERDS - Request for Live Scan Services (Electronic Recording Delivery System) - Record Review or Foreign Adoption will use
Form 8016RR - Request for Live Scan Services (Record Review or Foreign Adoption)
- Most Authorized Applicant Agencies will use the
Click on the following link for the instructions on completing these forms.
Form 8016 & 8016A Instructions
Step Two (2) – Fill in your Agency’s information on the Request for Live Scan Service (BCII 8016 or 8016A) Form.
All applicants must have a completed Request for Live Scan Service Form to present to the Live Scan operator or they cannot be fingerprinted. PLEASE ensure all of your agency’s information (i.e., Agency ORI, Mailing Address, Mail Code, etc.) is accurately entered onto the form which you provide the applicant. Any erroneous information submitted may cause delays or result in the applicant having to be fingerprinted again and fees paid a second time.
Step Three (3) – Send your applicants to get fingerprinted
Once you have provided the necessary form to your applicant, he/she can determine where to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting services are available at most local police departments, sheriff's offices or any public applicant Live Scan site; or you may have an agreement for services with a particular site. To find the sites nearest to your agency and a listing of their rolling fees, see Public Live Scan Sites
Please note: The applicant must present valid photo identification when being fingerprinted. Expired identification information will not be accepted.
Step Four (4) – Retrieve the results
Once the applicant submission is received and processed, the DOJ will respond to the applicant agency either electronically via a Secure Mail Server or via U.S. mail.
While most Applicant Agencies SHOULD receive results of background checks electronically from the California DOJ, some must receive reports by U.S. mail in a process that can take a minimum of seven days. As such, please allow a minimum of seven days before making a status inquiry.
Step Five (5) – Remit the appropriate fees
California and Federal background checks are processed for a fee. Some agencies pay the processing fees and others require the applicant to pay these fees at the time they are fingerprinted. If your agency pays these processing fees, you have the option of (1) paying the fees directly to the Live Scan operator or (2) establishing a billing account at the time of your authorization, in which case DOJ will invoice your agency for the processing fees.
Visit Applicant Agencies | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General for more information.