Section A — Licensing Application Forms ~60 min

Live Scan Fingerprinting for California Home Care License

Every owner with 10%+ ownership and every Designee must be fingerprinted through the California Live Scan system. CDSS will not process your application until all background checks clear.

What is Live Scan?

Live Scan is California's electronic fingerprinting system. Instead of ink-and-paper fingerprints, a technician scans your fingerprints digitally and transmits them directly to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI.

Who Needs to Be Fingerprinted?

The same people who need LIC 508 forms:

- All owners with 10% or more ownership

- The Designee (person responsible for day-to-day operations)

The ORI Number (Critical)

When you arrive at a Live Scan location, the technician will ask for an ORI number (Originating Agency Identifier). This tells the DOJ to send your results to CDSS specifically.

For Home Care Organization applicants, use this ORI: A0781 — California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing

If you use the wrong ORI, your results go to the wrong agency and you will have to re-do the scan (and pay again).

How Much Does It Cost?

- DOJ processing fee: $32

- FBI processing fee: $17

- Live Scan site fee: $0-$32 (varies by location)

- Total per person: approximately $49-$81

How Long for Results?

- DOJ results: Usually 3-5 business days

- FBI results: Can take 2-4 weeks

CDSS receives the results directly. You do not need to forward them. Just keep your receipt as proof of submission.


Where to Get Fingerprinted

Live Scan is available at thousands of locations across California. Here are the most common options:

1. UPS Store — The easiest option for most people

Many UPS Store locations offer Live Scan. Walk in or call ahead. Typical site fee: $15-$25.

Search "Live Scan" at theupsstore.com/tools/find-a-store.

2. Local police or sheriff station

Most police departments and sheriff offices offer Live Scan to the public. Often the cheapest option ($0-$10 site fee), but hours may be limited and lines can be long.

3. Private fingerprinting services

Companies like Certifix, Fieldprint, and LiveScan Plus specialize in fast turnaround. Typical site fee: $20-$32. Good if you need an appointment outside business hours.

4. Notary and shipping stores

Many independent notary shops, FedEx Office locations, and mailing centers offer Live Scan. Availability varies — call first.

5. State-run locations

The California DOJ maintains an official list of approved Live Scan locations. This is the most complete directory:

oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations

What to Bring to Your Appointment

- Government-issued photo ID (California driver's license or state ID preferred)

- The ORI number: A0781

- Payment: $49-$81 per person (cash, card, or check depending on location)

- The reason for fingerprinting: Say "Home Care Organization license application with CDSS"

Pro Tip: Book Immediately

Do not wait until you finish the other forms. Background checks run in the background while you complete the rest of Section A. The sooner you get fingerprinted, the sooner CDSS starts processing your background check. If the FBI portion takes 2-4 weeks and you waited until the end, that is 2-4 weeks added to your timeline for no reason.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • 1Using the wrong ORI number. Your results go to the wrong agency and you pay twice.
  • 2Forgetting to fingerprint a co-owner with exactly 10% ownership (the threshold is "10% or more", not "more than 10%").
  • 3Waiting until after submission to schedule Live Scan. Background checks can take weeks, so do this early.

Tips

  • Schedule Live Scan appointments as early as possible in Phase 1. Background checks run in parallel with the rest of your paperwork.
  • Many UPS Store locations offer Live Scan. Call ahead to confirm they have the equipment.
  • Keep digital copies of all Live Scan receipts. Upload them to your Document Vault here.

What You Need to Do

  1. 1
    Find a Live Scan location near each person who needs fingerprintingOpen resource
  2. 2
    Schedule Live Scan appointments for all required individuals
  3. 3
    Complete Live Scan appointments (bring photo ID and ORI number)
  4. 4
    Upload Live Scan receipts for each person below
  5. 5
    Confirm all receipts show the correct ORI (A0781)

Information You Will Need

Have these details ready before you sit down to fill this out:

ORI Number

This is the same for ALL California home care organizations. Do not change it.

Required

Documents Needed

  • Live Scan Receipt (Request for Live Scan Service)
    RequiredPer PersonPDF, JPG, PNG · Max 10MB

Want us to handle this for you?

Our licensing team knows this form inside and out. For $999, we fill out every form, check every box, and submit the whole packet to CDSS on your behalf. You just answer a few simple questions.

John Helmy

Researched and reviewed by

John Helmy, Founder of HomeCareAtlas

Building tools and resources to help home care agency owners navigate licensing, compliance, and growth.