Why the BBS Requires Live Scan
Because therapists work with vulnerable clients, the BBS is required to vet every applicant’s criminal history before granting a registration or license. Fingerprinting is how that vetting happens: your prints are run against the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) databases, and the results are reported directly to the BBS.
This applies to all associates — whether you are registering as an AMFT, ASW, or APCC. You cannot complete your registration application until your fingerprints are on file and your background check has been processed. For California residents, this is done through Live Scan, the state’s electronic fingerprinting system. Applicants outside California use mailed fingerprint hard cards instead.
Time it right
The BBS recommends completing Live Scan no more than thirty days before you submit your application. If you complete Live Scan but never file an application, the results expire after six months — so don’t get fingerprinted far in advance.
How to Complete Live Scan
- 1.Get the BBS Request for Live Scan form. Download it from bbs.ca.gov. This form tells the operator to route your results to the BBS as the requesting agency. Fill it out before you go.
- 2.Find an authorized Live Scan location. Use the California Attorney General’s directory at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. UPS Stores, public libraries, police and sheriff’s offices, and dedicated fingerprinting shops are common providers.
- 3.Bring a government-issued photo ID. A current driver’s license, state ID, or passport, along with your completed Request for Live Scan form.
- 4.Pay the fees. A $49 DOJ processing fee plus the vendor’s separate rolling fee (the charge for actually taking your prints), which varies by location. Keep the stamped copy of your form as your receipt.
- 5.Let the results reach the BBS. Your prints are submitted electronically to the DOJ and FBI, and the results are forwarded directly to the BBS for review with your application.
What Live Scan Costs
There are two distinct charges, and it helps to understand them separately:
- ✓$49 DOJ processing fee — the state’s charge for running your fingerprints through the DOJ and FBI. This is fixed.
- ✓Vendor “rolling” fee — what the Live Scan location charges to physically take your prints. This varies by location, so confirm it with the provider before your appointment.
Your total out-of-pocket cost is the $49 DOJ fee plus the vendor’s rolling fee. Because rolling fees differ from site to site, it can be worth calling a couple of nearby locations to compare before you book.
What Could Delay Your Registration
The background check runs alongside the rest of your application review, but a few common mistakes can stall it:
- ✓Wrong requesting agency on the Live Scan form, so results never reach the BBS.
- ✓Getting fingerprinted too early — results expire after six months with no application on file.
- ✓Failing to disclose history that appears on the DOJ/FBI report, which triggers extra review.
- ✓Out-of-state hard-card submissions, which the BBS estimates take roughly 6–8 weeks to process.
You can check the status of your DOJ submission at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov.
Don’t let Live Scan stall your 90-day window. If you are registering as an associate after graduation, your application — Live Scan included — must reach the BBS on time. See our AMFT registration process guide for how the deadline works.
What If You Have a Prior Record?
A prior arrest or conviction does not automatically disqualify you. The BBS reviews each applicant’s background individually, weighing factors such as the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, and evidence of rehabilitation. Many people with past records go on to become licensed therapists.
The most important thing you can do is disclose. Answer every background question on your application honestly, including minor or expunged matters. The DOJ and FBI report goes straight to the BBS, and a mismatch between what you disclosed and what the report shows is far more damaging than the underlying history itself. If you are uncertain how your record will be viewed, contact the BBS or a licensing attorney before you apply.
When in doubt, disclose
Non-disclosure is treated as a separate problem from the original offense. It is almost always better to over-disclose and explain than to omit something the BBS will see on your report anyway.
Live Scan is step one. Tracking your hours is the long game.
Once your background check clears and your associate number is issued, the 3,000-hour grind begins. HourJourney auto-validates BBS supervision ratios as you log, fills your official BBS forms from your entries, and tracks the A/B/C category caps so you never lose an hour to a paperwork issue. 30-day free trial.
Start tracking free →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BBS Live Scan cost in California?
There are two charges. The Department of Justice (DOJ) processing fee is $49. On top of that, the Live Scan vendor charges a separate "rolling" fee for taking your fingerprints, and that amount varies by location. The total you pay is the $49 DOJ fee plus whatever rolling fee your chosen vendor charges, so confirm the rolling fee with the location before your appointment.
Where do I get Live Scan done for the BBS?
Use the California Attorney General's authorized Live Scan site directory at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations to find a vendor near you. Common locations include UPS Stores, public libraries, police and sheriff's departments, and dedicated fingerprinting businesses. Any authorized site can submit your prints to the DOJ — just be sure the operator routes the results to the BBS using your BBS Request for Live Scan form.
What do I need to bring to my Live Scan appointment?
Bring three things: your completed BBS Request for Live Scan Service form (downloaded from bbs.ca.gov), a current government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, and payment for the $49 DOJ fee plus the vendor's rolling fee. Keep the stamped copy of the request form the operator gives you — it is your proof that Live Scan was completed.
How long do BBS Live Scan results take?
Electronic Live Scan results are transmitted to the DOJ and FBI immediately and are typically forwarded to the BBS quickly, though the Board does not publish a guaranteed turnaround for clearing your file. If you submit fingerprints by hard card (for applicants outside California), the BBS estimates approximately 6 to 8 weeks. You can check your DOJ submission status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov. Confirm current timing directly with the BBS.
Does a prior record disqualify me from BBS registration?
Not automatically. The BBS reviews each applicant's background individually and considers factors such as the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation. A prior arrest or conviction does not necessarily prevent registration, but failing to disclose history that appears on the DOJ/FBI report can. Disclose everything you are asked about on your application, even minor or expunged matters, and consult the BBS or a licensing attorney if you are unsure how your history will be viewed.
Do I have to redo Live Scan when I apply for my license?
Generally, if your fingerprints are already on file with the BBS from your associate registration, you do not need to resubmit Live Scan when you apply for licensure. However, your employer may require a separate Live Scan when you start a job, and the BBS can request new prints if your prior results are not on file or have lapsed. Confirm your fingerprint status with the BBS before assuming you are covered.
Related Guides
AMFT Registration Process in California
Form 37A-301, Live Scan, the $150 fee, and the 90-day deadline — step by step.
ASW Registration in California
How to register as an Associate Clinical Social Worker with the BBS.
APCC Registration in California
Registering as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor toward your LPCC.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify requirements directly with the BBS at bbs.ca.gov. Fees, processing times, and procedures may change.