Who Needs Fingerprinting? A Guide for Industries & Individuals
You just accepted a new job offer, and buried in the paperwork is a line that stops you cold: "fingerprinting required." Maybe you're a hiring manager trying to figure out whether your new staff need to be printed before their first day. Either way, you're asking the same question—who actually needs fingerprinting, and why?
The short answer: a lot of people. If your work brings you into contact with children, the elderly, patients, sensitive money, or state licensing boards, chances are good that fingerprinting is part of the deal.
This guide breaks down exactly who needs fingerprinting, what a live scan background check involves, and how the process differs by industry. We'll also touch on the FDLE Criminal History Fee Schedule, so you know what to expect before you book. Let's walk through it together.
What Does "Getting Fingerprinted" Actually Mean?
Before we look at specific roles, let's clear up what we're talking about.
Most employment and licensing checks today use live scan fingerprinting—a digital process that captures your prints electronically and sends them straight to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and, when required, the FBI. No ink, no paper cards, no waiting weeks for mail to process.
For roles involving vulnerable populations, you'll usually need a Level 2 background check. This is a fingerprint-based search of state and national criminal history records. It goes far deeper than a name-based check, and it's the standard for anyone in a position of trust.
Here's the simple rule: the more responsibility and access your role carries, the more likely fingerprinting is mandatory.
Who Needs Fingerprinting? The Industries & Roles
Let's get specific. Below are the most common groups required to complete FDLE fingerprinting as part of their hiring or licensing process.
Healthcare Workers
Healthcare sits at the top of the list. Nurses, doctors, nursing home employees, home health aides, and medical technicians all work directly with patients—often people who are sick, elderly, or unable to advocate for themselves.
Because of that access, these roles typically require a Level 2 background check submitted through the FDLE and coordinated with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Clearinghouse. For most healthcare applicants, the combined state and federal fee lands at $36, per the FDLE Criminal History Fee Schedule.
If you're onboarding a full nursing team, fingerprinting everyone quickly keeps your start dates on track.
Educators & School Employees
Teachers, principals, administrators, aides, and bus drivers all need fingerprinting before stepping into a school. So do many substitute teachers and contracted staff.
Schools carry an enormous duty of care, and parents expect every adult on campus to be properly vetted. School employees fall under the "all other applicant type" category in the fee schedule, which carries a $36 combined state and federal fee.
Childcare & Daycare Workers
If you work at a daycare center, preschool, or after-school program, fingerprinting is non-negotiable. These roles fall under agencies like the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Here's a bonus for this group: day care center employees and similar DCF-regulated roles benefit from a lower fee tier—$12 combined state and federal, according to the FDLE schedule. It's one of the more affordable required checks, reflecting how routine these submissions are.
Volunteers Serving Vulnerable Populations
Fingerprinting isn't just for paid staff. Volunteers who work with children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities often need screening too, especially through the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System (VECHS).
Think church youth group leaders, nonprofit mentors, and hospital volunteers. The good news for organizations relying on volunteers: the VECHS volunteer rate is $28 combined, a discounted tier designed to encourage proper screening without discouraging people from giving their time.
Government Employees and Contractors
Many government positions require fingerprinting, particularly roles that involve public safety, sensitive records, or access to secure facilities. Cleared contractors working with government agencies frequently fall into this category as well.
The exact requirements vary by agency and role, so always confirm the specific submission type and ORI number with your hiring department.
Real Estate and Insurance Professionals
You don't have to work with vulnerable populations to need fingerprinting. Real estate agents and insurance agents handle large financial transactions and sensitive client data, so their licensing boards require background screening.
These professionals typically fall under the "all other applicant" tier at $36 combined. Fingerprinting is usually a one-time step tied to securing your state license.
Foster Care Applicants
If you're opening your home to a foster child, fingerprinting is part of the approval process—and for good reason. Foster care applicants undergo a Level 2 background check to ensure every child is placed in a safe environment.
This applies to the applicant and, in many cases, other adults living in the household.
Florida Bar Applicants
Aspiring attorneys aren't exempt either. Florida Bar applicants must complete fingerprint-based background screening as part of the character and fitness review. It's a standard step on the path to practicing law in the state.
How Fingerprinting Fees Break Down by Role
One question we hear constantly: "How much will this cost me?" Fees depend on your applicant type. Here's a quick reference based on the FDLE Criminal History Fee Schedule:
DCF, Juvenile Justice, and Elder Affairs roles (e.g., day care employees): $12 combined
VECHS volunteers (qualified entities serving children, elderly, or disabled): $28 combined
VECHS employees, healthcare, education, real estate, insurance, foster care, Florida Bar: $36 combined
Keep in mind these fees apply to electronic fingerprint submissions only and don’t include the live scan operators costs. As of January 2025, the FBI no longer accepts paper hard card submissions, so live scan is the way forward for nearly every check.
Not Sure If You Need Fingerprinting? Start Here
If you're still unsure, run through this quick checklist:
Check your paperwork. Look for terms like "Level 2 background check," "live scan," or "FDLE fingerprinting."
Ask the requesting agency. Your employer or licensing board can confirm the requirement.
Get your ORI number. This code tells the system which agency receives your results.
Confirm your fee tier. Match your role to the categories above so there are no surprises.
Watch for this mistake: assuming you don't need fingerprinting just because your job feels low-risk. Many licensing and volunteer roles surprise people. When in doubt, ask before your start date.
The Bottom Line
Fingerprinting touches far more careers than most people realize—from nurses and teachers to real estate agents, foster parents, and future attorneys. If your role gives you access to vulnerable people, sensitive data, or a professional license, a fingerprint-based background check is almost certainly part of your path.
The best first step is confirming your applicant type and ORI number, then booking a live scan appointment that fits your schedule. Getting it done early keeps your hiring or licensing timeline moving and spares you the stress of last-minute delays.
If your job or industry requires fingerprinting, Blue Line Mobile Fingerprinting has you covered. Schedule your appointment now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs fingerprinting in Florida?
Fingerprinting is required for most roles that involve vulnerable populations, sensitive data, or professional licensing. This includes healthcare workers, educators, school employees, childcare staff, foster care applicants, real estate and insurance agents, Florida Bar applicants, government employees, and volunteers at qualified entities.
What is the difference between a Level 2 background check and a regular background check?
A Level 2 background check is a fingerprint-based search of state and national criminal history records through the FDLE and FBI. A standard (Level 1) check is usually a name-based search of local or state records only. Level 2 is the standard for roles involving children, the elderly, and patients.
How much does FDLE fingerprinting cost?
Fees vary by applicant type. Based on the FDLE Criminal History Fee Schedule, DCF-regulated roles like day care employees pay $12 combined, VECHS volunteers pay $28, and most other applicants—including healthcare, education, and licensing roles—pay $36 combined for state and federal checks.
Do volunteers need to be fingerprinted?
Yes, in many cases. Volunteers who serve children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities often require screening through the VECHS program, typically at a discounted $28 combined fee.
Can I still submit paper fingerprint cards?
No. As of January 2025, the FBI no longer accepts hard card fingerprint submissions for criminal history record checks. All submissions must now be made electronically through a certified live scan system.
