ALERT: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is not able to process any out of state or out of country fingerprint submissions unless completed on the FD-258 cardstock provided by CTC. If the agency completing your fingerprints alters or changes the cardstock or type of paper used, DOJ will reject the submission and return your paperwork without processing.
The California Education Code §44340 & §44341 require that all individuals who seek to obtain California credentials, certificates, permits, and waivers issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing receive fingerprint clearance from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Commission.
Please Note:
| Fingerprint Topic | California Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Live Scan (LS) - Automated Process | Hard Card - Manual Process |
| Standard Timeframe* | 3-7 days (DOJ) | 10-12 weeks (DOJ) |
| Form | 41-LS | FD-258 ( request via portal) |
| Fees | Varies - pay LS Operator | $49.00 - submit w/cards |
| CTC Contact | fingerprints@ctc.ca.gov | fingerprints@ctc.ca.gov |
The "Standard Timeframe" noted above refers to DOJ's processing of fingerprint forms once DOJ receives a form 41-LS or FD-258, but may be significantly longer. Please do not email the Commission within 30 days from the end of the above timeframe. When a "Fingerprint Response" is received from DOJ the applicant will either be granted or notified by the Commission of any fingerprint issues.
The Commission does not have control regarding DOJ's processing timeframe. Applicants who used the Live Scan automated process may check the status of their fingerprint submission by visiting DOJ website. You will need your ATI number from your LS form and your date of birth when checking your status.
Note: The above responses apply to both California residents and non-residents.
Fingerprint Errors can be caused by the applicant or the fingerprint operator and will delay the issuance of a credential or document that you seek from the Commission. To help reduce errors, the Commission recommends the following:
Failure to follow the above directions may cause your fingerprints to be invalidated and cause the issuance of your application to be delayed.
The Commission is not authorized to release fingerprint information to third parties, this includes employers. Please contact your applicant/holder/employee regarding any fingerprint submissions and/or results.
California residents must use the Live Scan fingerprint process when applying for a document and/or permit issued by the Commission. First time applicants must submit verification that fingerprints were completed by providing a copy of the form 41-LS with their Commission hard copy application as proof of service. If you have completed an application online, please retain a copy in case the Commission requests additional information from you. Do not email your form to the Commission. Your fingerprint results will be forwarded electronically to the Commission by DOJ. A current listing of sites offering Live Scan electronic fingerprint services is available on the California Attorney General website.
Fingerprint cards may be ordered from the Commission by submitting contact information through the CTC Fingerprint Card Request portal. DOJ will only accept fingerprint cards (FD-258) for teachers whose home address is outside of California. Individuals that move to California before submitting an application with fingerprint cards must use the Live Scan process for fingerprinting. Applicants using fingerprint cards must apply with a paper application (Form 41-4) and attach both fingerprint cards and fingerprint processing fee to the application. Again, the DOJ will not accept the submission of fingerprint cards from California residents.