Live Scan for a California Teaching Credential (41-LS Form)

If you’re applying for a California teaching credential, Live Scan fingerprinting is one of the required steps — the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) runs your prints through the DOJ and FBI to finish your background check. This guide covers the specific form you need (41-LS), the CTC billing codes, and what to actually bring to a Live Scan location.

The quick version

1. Print or download the 41-LS form from the CTC website (the official URL is ctc.ca.gov — look for “Fingerprint Procedures” under Fees and Fingerprinting).
2. Fill out the applicant sections at home — your legal name, date of birth, address, and so on. The ORI and Agency Billing Number sections are pre-printed on the CTC form.
3. Bring the form and one current, unexpired government photo ID to a CA DOJ-approved Live Scan location like Mailbox Plus in San Jose.
4. Pay the fees — the DOJ/FBI processing fees go to the state, and the Live Scan location charges a separate rolling fee (typically $25–$35).
5. Keep your receipt. The “Applicant Copy” has your ATI number — CTC uses it to confirm the DOJ received your prints. You don’t need to mail it; CTC gets the results electronically.

Most applicants are in and out in 15–20 minutes.

What’s on the 41-LS form that you don’t need to fill in

The CTC pre-prints three critical pieces of information:

• ORI number — identifies CTC as the agency receiving results. You don’t type this; it’s on the form.
• Authorized Applicant Type / code — tells DOJ which statute authorizes the background check.
• Mail Code / billing section — routes the bill correctly to the CTC.

This is why you should use the CTC 41-LS form specifically rather than a generic BCIA 8016. Using the wrong form can delay results or bill the wrong agency. If you arrive with the wrong form, most Live Scan locations (including Mailbox Plus) will let you print the correct one — call ahead if you need that service.

What to bring

• The 41-LS form — printed, with your applicant sections filled out.
• One current, unexpired government-issued photo ID — California driver’s license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or similar.
• Payment — the Live Scan rolling fee at the location plus the DOJ/FBI processing fees (CTC publishes the current total on its fingerprinting page).

You don’t need to bring your credential application — CTC matches the prints to your application electronically using your ATI number.

Common CTC Live Scan types

Different credentials route to slightly different CTC applicant types:

• Preliminary or clear teaching credential — most common, standard 41-LS form.
• Substitute teaching permit — same 41-LS form, CTC handles the applicant-type code.
• Emergency or temporary permit — may use a variant; check CTC’s page for the current form code.
• Administrative services credential — separate form; confirm with CTC before scheduling.

If you’re renewing a credential that already has a cleared Live Scan on file, you typically don’t need to re-Scan — CTC’s prior record carries over. New credential category = new Live Scan.

What happens after you scan

The Live Scan location transmits your prints electronically to the CA DOJ the same day. DOJ runs the CA background check and forwards your prints to the FBI. Results typically return to CTC within 3–5 business days for CA and 1–2 weeks for FBI — sometimes faster, rarely longer. You can check status by logging into your CTC educator account; CTC will show the prints as “Received” once they’re processed.

If prints are rejected as unreadable (rare — under 2% of applicants), the Live Scan location will re-scan you at no additional rolling fee within the DOJ’s re-print window.

Ready to get scanned in San Jose?

Mailbox Plus is a CA DOJ-approved Live Scan location on McKee Road — walk-ins welcome Monday through Saturday. If you email your 41-LS form ahead to our live scan team, we can pre-fill your applicant info to save time. For hours, pricing, and walk-in details, see our live scan service page.