Fingerprint Requirements For Life Insurance: Where To Go?

The requirements for obtaining fingerprints for life insurance vary across different states and insurance providers. While some states, such as Florida and California, require applicants to submit fingerprints for licensing, other states may have different procedures. Fingerprinting services like Live Scan and traditional ink fingerprinting are offered by private companies and government agencies. These services capture fingerprints electronically or through ink and card methods, respectively. The cost of fingerprinting can vary depending on location, agency, and background check type, with Live Scan being generally more expensive. It is important to consult the specific requirements of your state's insurance department and choose a reputable fingerprinting service provider to ensure compliance with insurance licensing regulations.

LiveScan fingerprinting: an electronic method of capturing fingerprints

LiveScan fingerprinting is an advanced electronic method of capturing fingerprints. It is a fast, clean, and accurate process that has revolutionized the way fingerprints are taken, moving beyond the traditional ink-and-roll method. With LiveScan, there is no ink or card involved; instead, an individual's fingerprints are "rolled" across a glass plate and scanned. This process is not only faster but also more hygienic and efficient, eliminating the mess and hassle associated with traditional ink fingerprinting.

The LiveScan machine captures fingerprints electronically, creating a digital blueprint of the unique fingerprint patterns. This data is then transmitted electronically to a designated law enforcement or requesting agency. LiveScan technology enables fingerprint technicians to retake prints multiple times, ensuring the best possible image quality. The process is supported by additional equipment, such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones, along with specialized software to process the live scans.

LiveScan fingerprinting has become an essential tool for law enforcement agencies, aiding in investigations and increasing print accuracy. It is widely used for criminal history background checks and is often required for various licenses, permits, and certifications. For example, professionals in healthcare, education, finance, and other fields may need to undergo LiveScan fingerprinting as part of their licensing or certification process. It is also commonly used for immigration purposes, visa applications, and adoption petitions.

One of the key advantages of LiveScan is its accuracy and ability to provide positive identification. Fingerprints are unique to each individual, even identical twins, making them the gold standard of identification. This technology eliminates the errors and multiple "hits" associated with name checks, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of background checks. LiveScan also reduces the potential for human error, as it does not rely on ink-based impressions, which can be smudged or difficult to read.

Fingerprint cards: ink fingerprinting on physical cards

Fingerprint cards are a traditional method of fingerprinting, where ink is used to apply fingerprints to a physical card. This process is also known as the "ink and paper method". The FD-258 fingerprint card is a standard fingerprinting card used for this purpose.

To begin the process, the finger is rolled onto an inking plate or pad, ensuring that the entire fingerprint pattern area is covered evenly with ink. The ink should extend from one edge of the nail to the other and from the crease of the first joint to the fingertip. Once the finger is adequately inked, it is then rolled onto the card, from one side to the other, until the finger faces the opposite direction. This process is repeated for each finger. Thumbs are rolled towards the centre of the individual's body, while the remaining fingers are rolled away from the centre.

It is important to note that the rolled impression method may not always be acceptable. In such cases, an adhesive retab can be used to cover the fingerprint on the card. Additionally, the LiveScan fingerprinting method, which captures fingerprints electronically, is often considered faster, cleaner, and more accurate than the ink and paper method.

Despite the advancements in electronic fingerprinting, many agencies still require traditional fingerprint cards for specific requests, such as federal employment applications or background checks for certain professions. These include nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and dentists. Therefore, it is essential to confirm the specific requirements of the requesting agency or institution before proceeding with fingerprinting.

State requirements: some states require fingerprints for insurance licenses

State requirements for fingerprints for insurance licenses vary across the US. While the majority of states require applicants for resident producer and adjuster insurance licenses to get fingerprinted, some states do not.

States that require fingerprinting for initial insurance licenses include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. California and Florida, in particular, require all applicants, even those with reciprocal licenses, to submit fingerprints.

Some states that do not require fingerprinting for insurance licenses include Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia. These states may still require identification and/or some form of background check.

The process of fingerprinting typically involves submitting fingerprints electronically through LiveScan or by mailing fingerprint cards. LiveScan is a faster method that involves “rolling" fingerprints across a glass plate to be scanned, while fingerprint cards involve the traditional ink-and-roll method.

It is important to note that insurance carriers and agencies may have their own requirements for background checks and fingerprinting, even if the state does not mandate it. This is done to fulfill their due diligence requirements.

Background checks: fingerprints are used for criminal history checks

Fingerprints are often required for criminal history checks, especially when applying for licenses, certifications, or registrations. This process is commonly known as LiveScan fingerprinting, where fingerprints are captured electronically using advanced machines. This method is faster, cleaner, and more accurate than traditional ink-and-roll methods. LiveScan fingerprinting services are provided by companies such as IdentoGO, who offer convenient and fast services for a range of industries, including insurance. The fingerprints are then submitted to specific state agencies or the FBI for processing.

In the context of insurance, most states require applicants for resident producer and adjuster insurance licenses to undergo fingerprinting. Florida and California, for example, mandate fingerprint submissions for all applicants, including those with reciprocal licenses. These fingerprints are then used for FBI-level background checks. While specific procedures vary across states, the majority employ a vendor to collect and process fingerprints on their behalf.

The use of fingerprints in criminal history checks offers several advantages over traditional name checks. Fingerprint-based background checks are more comprehensive, searching FBI and state criminal databases to create a complete criminal profile of the applicant. In contrast, name checks are less reliable due to the potential for false positives and false negatives, especially when multiple individuals share the same name or when there are inaccuracies in the data.

It is important to note that individuals have certain rights during the criminal history check process. These rights include the ability to challenge the accuracy of the information in the report and the requirement that any records held by the agency must be used and retained according to FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to be transparent during the insurance application process, as carriers and agencies prioritize due diligence in their background checks.

Vendors: specific vendors are used to take and process fingerprints

When it comes to getting fingerprints for life insurance, specific vendors are typically used to take and process fingerprints. These vendors provide Live Scan fingerprinting services, which involve capturing fingerprints electronically using advanced Live Scan machines. This process is faster, cleaner, and more accurate than the traditional ink-and-roll method.

One prominent vendor in this space is IdentoGO by Idemia, formerly known as MorphoTrust USA. Individuals can register, locate nearby centres, and pay for fingerprinting on their website. The cost of fingerprinting through IdentoGO is typically around $50, plus local county sales tax. After payment, individuals can visit an IdentoGO centre, where trained enrollment agents ensure the paperwork is in order, capture their fingerprints, and process the request efficiently. IdentoGO provides services for various industries, including insurance, and serves multiple states, including Florida, California, and Washington.

In Florida, applicants for insurance licenses must use IdentoGO as their vendor. They can register as a "FL Resident" or "Out of State" on the vendor's website, which then directs them to the nearest Live Scan location to submit their fingerprints electronically. For those who live out of state and don't have a nearby location, there is the option to submit fingerprint cards by mail. The results of the fingerprint-based criminal history check are then submitted to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Similarly, in California, unlicensed applicants for insurance licenses are required to submit fingerprint impressions. They can register, pay, and schedule an appointment through the CLS Online Portal, which has over 800 live scan locations statewide. The technician at the appointment will electronically capture and submit the fingerprints to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In Washington state, individuals can schedule an appointment with Idemia (IdentoGO) to have their fingerprints taken at one of over 30 locations. They can contact IdentoGO by phone or online to make reservations. Once the fingerprints are captured, IdentoGO transmits them electronically to the designated state agency.

Frequently asked questions