Whether you’re applying for a new job, volunteering at your child’s school, or pursuing professional licensing, fingerprint background checks have become an increasingly common requirement. One of the most frequent questions people ask is: “How long will my fingerprint results take?” The answer isn’t straightforward, as processing times vary significantly depending on several key factors.
Understanding Fingerprint Processing Times
Fingerprint results typically take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks to complete. This wide range exists because fingerprint checks involve multiple steps and different agencies, each with their own processing capabilities and backlogs.
For Live Scan electronic submissions, results often come back within 24-72 hours when everything goes smoothly. State-level background checks are commonly processed within 1-7 days, while FBI checks typically take 3-5 business days. However, if your prints require manual review or if there are potential matches that need investigation, the process can extend to 2-4 weeks or longer.
Traditional ink fingerprinting on FD-258 cards generally takes much longer, often requiring 2-4 weeks for completion due to the additional time needed for physical mailing, handling, and manual processing.
Factors That Affect Processing Speed
Quality of Fingerprints
The clarity and completeness of your fingerprints significantly impact processing time. High-quality digital scans typically process faster than poor-quality prints that require manual review. If your prints are rejected due to poor quality or deemed “ineligible” by the FBI, you’ll need to be re-fingerprinted, adding several days or weeks to the timeline. In some cases, after multiple illegible submissions, agencies may resort to name-based background checks.
Fingerprint Method
The submission method significantly impacts processing speed:
- Live Scan digital fingerprinting processes much faster, typically within 1-7 days
- Traditional ink fingerprinting (FD-258 cards) requires 2-4 weeks due to physical mailing and manual processing
Type of Background Check
Different levels of background checks require different processing times:
- State-level checks usually process within 1-7 business days, with many returning results in 24-72 hours
- FBI checks typically take 3-5 business days for Live Scan electronic submissions
- Name checks (used when fingerprints are repeatedly illegible) may take additional time
- Comprehensive checks involving multiple databases may take 2-4 weeks
Agency Workload
Processing times fluctuate based on the volume of requests each agency receives. During busy periods, such as back-to-school hiring seasons or after policy changes requiring new background checks, delays are common.
Potential Criminal History
If your fingerprints match records in criminal databases, additional time is needed for manual review and verification. This process ensures accuracy but can extend processing time to several weeks.
Typical Timelines by Purpose
Employment Screening
Most employment-related fingerprint checks take 1-7 business days for Live Scan submissions, with many employers receiving results within 24-72 hours. Traditional ink fingerprinting for employment purposes typically takes 2-4 weeks. Many employers use third-party screening companies that specialize in quick turnaround times, especially for positions that don’t require federal-level clearances.
Professional Licensing
Healthcare workers, teachers, and other licensed professionals often experience longer wait times of 1-4 weeks, depending on whether Live Scan or ink fingerprinting is used. These checks are typically more comprehensive and may involve multiple state and federal databases.
Financial Services (FINRA)
Financial professionals requiring FINRA registration typically see fingerprint results posted to their CRD record within 24-36 business hours after FBI receipt. The process moves through specific status codes from “Approved Pending Prints” to “Approved Pending Results” and finally to “Approved” once results are received.
Volunteer Positions
Volunteer screening, particularly for organizations working with children or vulnerable populations, usually takes 1-3 weeks. Some organizations have expedited processes, while others may have limited processing capacity.
Immigration and Citizenship
Immigration-related fingerprint processing through USCIS typically takes 2-4 weeks, though it can extend longer during peak application periods or if additional documentation is required.
Ways to Expedite the Process
While you can’t directly speed up government processing, several strategies can help avoid delays:
Choose Live Scan electronic submission whenever possible, as digital fingerprints process much faster than traditional ink cards.
Ensure print quality by following all instructions carefully during your appointment. Clean hands, proper positioning, and cooperation with the technician are essential.
Submit complete applications with all required documentation to avoid processing delays due to missing information.
Plan ahead by initiating the process well before your deadline, especially during busy seasons.
What to Do If Results Are Delayed
If your results are taking longer than expected, first check with the requesting organization about their typical timelines. Many agencies provide tracking numbers or online portals where you can check status.
If delays extend beyond normal processing times, contact the fingerprinting agency directly. They can often provide updates or identify if there are specific issues causing delays.
In some cases, you may need to be re-fingerprinted if the original submission was lost, damaged, or rejected for quality issues. If fingerprints are repeatedly deemed illegible, some agencies may resort to name-based background checks, which can add additional processing time.
Tracking Your Results
Many fingerprinting services provide tracking capabilities to monitor your submission status. Live Scan appointments typically provide an ATI (Automated Transaction Identifier) number that allows you to track progress through the processing agency’s system.
For FINRA-regulated professionals, entitled users can check fingerprint status through FINRA Gateway and CRD systems, which display specific status codes throughout the process. Common status codes include “RECC” (received and forwarded to FBI), “CLER” (no criminal record found), and “RAPP” (criminal history identified requiring review).
Planning Your Timeline
When planning for fingerprint requirements, always build in extra time. A good rule of thumb is to allow 1-2 weeks for Live Scan submissions and 3-4 weeks for traditional ink fingerprinting. For employment checks, most Live Scan results arrive within a week, while licensing or comprehensive screenings may take 2-4 weeks depending on the method used.
Remember that processing times are business days only, so weekends and holidays will extend your actual wait time.Ready to start your fingerprint background check? Don’t wait until the last minute. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and ensure you meet all your deadlines.
