Fingerprint Rolling Certification
California law requires any individual who rolls fingerprints manually or electronically for licensure, certification and/or employment purposes to be certified by the state Department of Justice (Penal Code section 11102.1). A certified fingerprint roller must begin using his/her certification number as soon as it is received.
Penal Code section 11102.1(a)(2) exempts the mandatory certification requirement for law enforcement personnel, state employees and employees of tribal gaming agencies.
Here is basic information for individuals interesting in becoming a Certified Fingerprint Roller in California.
Step One (1) – Review the Handbook
This handbook provides you with basic steps, and responsibilities for obtaining a Certification including background check information and disqualifying offenses.
Fingerprint Rolling Certification Program Reference Handbook 
[PDF 223 kb / 13 pg]
Step Two (2) – Complete the Application for Certification
Complete the Application for Certification (Form BCIA 8372 4/08).
Please Note: You will need to have the Application notarized.
Application for Certification - Form BCIA 8372 - 4/08 [PDF 221 kb / 2 pg]
PLEASE NOTE: You will need to provide your Social Security Number for identification and verification purposes. By law, applicants must furnish this standard data element or the Application for Certification will not be processed. Your Social Security Number will not be made available for public inspection.
Social Security Privacy Information [PDF 13 kb / 1 pg]
Step Three (3) – Get fingerprinted
Once you have completed the Application for Certification and obtained notarization, you will need to be fingerprinted.
For this type of Certification, you MUST get fingerprinted at an authorized local law enforcement agency or state agency’s Live Scan site that provides fingerprinting services to the public. Failure to do so will result in your Application being rejected and the need to obtain a new background check with all associated fees payable by the applicant.
To find an authorized Live Scan site nearest you, hours of operation and fees for fingerprinting services, please click on this link List of Applicant Live Scan Sites. Authorized sites are identified on this page by an asterisk ( * ) listed next to the Live Scan site number (Example LSID 949*). If you are still unsure if either a law enforcement or state agency’s Live Scan site qualifies as an authorized site, contact the Fingerprint Rolling Certification Program at (916) 227-6420 or email to fpcert@doj.ca.gov.
Once you have decided on a Live Scan site, please complete and provide the following Request for Live Scan Service (BCII 8016) form to the Live Scan site for electronic processing of your fingerprints.
Request for Live Scan Service - Form BCII 8016 [PDF 46 kb / 1 pg]
Please note: You must present valid photo identification when being fingerprinted. Expired identification information will not be accepted.
A fingerprint-rolling fee may be collected when you get your fingerprints taken. Since this fee varies widely among locations, you will want to review the cost before going to a fingerprinting site. Be sure to check for any restrictions on method of payment, such as cash or money order only.
There also is a criminal history processing fee collected by the DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the background checks and an additional $25 fee for the Certification. Total $76.00. While often paid by the agency you will be employed with, some applicants may be required to pay this fee themselves, so check with your requesting agency.
PLEASE NOTE: The DOJ does not accept manual hard card fingerprint impressions for Fingerprint Roller Certification submissions.
Step Four (4) – Mail completed Application Packet to the DOJ
Once you have been fingerprinted, mail the notarized Application for Certification and a copy of the Request for Live Scan Service Form to:
Department of Justice Fingerprint Rolling Certification Program P.O. Box 903387 Sacramento, CA 94203-3870