Live Scan for California school volunteers
The school asked you to get fingerprinted so you can help in the classroom, chaperone a field trip, or coach a team. That process is called Live Scan, and this page tells you what to bring, what it costs, and how to find somewhere near you today.
Get the form first. The district gives you a Request for Live Scan Serviceform with their agency codes filled in. The fingerprinting location cannot invent those codes, so nothing can happen without it. If you weren't handed one, call whoever asked you to volunteer.
Bring valid photo ID.A current driver's licence, state ID or passport is what people usually bring. Expired ID gets refused.
Expect two charges. The state and federal fees are fixed — $32 for the DOJ and $17 for the FBI when the district asks for the federal check as well. The location adds a rolling fee on top, typically $20 to $45. Some districts pay the state portion for their volunteers; ask before you go.
Find a location
Almost every Live Scan location on this site can handle a school volunteer check — it's one of the most common reasons Californians get fingerprinted. Search by city or ZIP, or browse by county.
Doing this for a whole PTA?
If your school needs 3+ volunteers, coaches, or field-trip chaperones cleared before an event, a mobile Live Scan provider can come to the school and roll prints for the whole group in one session. Usually cheaper per person than sending everyone individually.
Set up an on-site scanFrequently asked questions
Why does my school need me to get Live Scan?
California law requires background checks for volunteers who work directly with students in specific situations — regular classroom help, overnight trips, coaching. Live Scan is the fingerprinting step that lets the DOJ (and sometimes the FBI) run that check. It's a one-time process; results follow you rather than being redone for every activity.
What form do I need from the school?
The Request for Live Scan Service form, often called BCIA 8016. The school district fills in the top part with their agency codes before you get it — those codes tell the DOJ where to send your results. Without the form the fingerprinting location can't submit anything, so pick it up before you go.
How much does Live Scan cost for a school volunteer?
The school sometimes pays the DOJ portion ($32) and only asks you to cover the rolling fee (typically $20 to $45). If they don't, expect a total of about $50 to $70. Ask the district — some cover everything for approved volunteers.
Do I need an appointment?
Many private Live Scan locations take walk-ins during posted hours. Police and sheriff's departments usually don't. Every listing on this site shows whether appointments are required, but a quick call before you drive is always safer.
How long do results take?
Usually one to three business days for DOJ-only checks, up to a week if the FBI is involved. The result goes straight to the district — you won't get a copy. If they haven't received it after a week, they can look it up using the ATI number on your receipt.
Can our PTA or volunteer team do it together?
Yes — for three or more people, a mobile Live Scan provider can come to the school and roll prints for the whole group in one session. It's often cheaper per person than sending everyone individually, and it means the whole team is cleared on the same day.
General guidance, not legal advice. Ask your school district for the specific volunteer-clearance requirements — those vary by district and by role. LiveScanMap is an independent directory, not affiliated with any school or with the California Department of Justice.