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Home›California›California guard card background check and Live Scan
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California guard card background check and Live Scan

Every applicant is fingerprinted for DOJ and FBI review. Use the correct BSIS form, keep the ATI number, and do not assume that one past record automatically decides the application.

Last verified: July 12, 2026Checked against official BSIS sourcesHow we verify information →
DOJ

California review

Live Scan sends fingerprints for a California Department of Justice criminal-history check.

FBI

Federal review

The same guard-card process also requires an FBI criminal-history background check.

ATI

Your tracking number

Keep the completed Live Scan form and ATI number. They help identify the fingerprint transaction if status or delivery must be checked.

What the background check means

BSIS receives criminal-history information and makes the licensing decision. A criminal history is not the same thing as an automatic denial. BSIS materials state that applicants with criminal backgrounds are evaluated case by case under substantially-related and rehabilitation criteria.

This website cannot predict approval.

Do not send us court files, Social Security numbers, fingerprint documents, or criminal-history records. For a personal legal assessment, contact BSIS or a qualified California attorney.

Steps that prevent avoidable delays

  1. Use the Security Guard Request for Live Scan Service form with the correct BSIS coding.
  2. Make sure the name and identifying details match the application.
  3. Keep a copy signed by the Live Scan operator and keep the ATI number.
  4. Use the California DOJ applicant-status tool to check fingerprint progress.
  5. Respond promptly if fingerprints are rejected as unreadable or BSIS requests more information.

Open the complete Live Scan guide →

OFFICIAL SOURCES

Verify the form and review rules

Background-check outcomes depend on the individual record and current law.

BSIS Security Guard Live Scan form ↗BSIS registration fact sheet ↗DOJ applicant-status check ↗BSIS regulations ↗
Quick answers

Common questions

Does a misdemeanor automatically disqualify me?

Guard Card Guide cannot determine individual eligibility. BSIS materials describe case-by-case review rather than a universal automatic-denial rule for every criminal history.

Why do I need both DOJ and FBI checks?

California guard card applicants undergo criminal-history checks through both the California Department of Justice and the FBI.

What is the ATI number?

The ATI number identifies the Live Scan fingerprint transaction. Keep it with your signed copy of the form.