The DRE requires all applicants to disclose any prior criminal activity on their license application. If you fail to do so, the DRE may deny your license application. The California Department of Justice and the FBI use your fingerprints to run a State and Federal criminal background check. Their findings are sent to the DRE, where the DRE cross-checks the criminal background report with the criminal activity disclosed on your license application (if any).
Related FAQs
Most applicants get their fingerprints taken after they pass the State exam and before they submit their license application. However, you can still get your fingerprints taken before the State exam by requesting a blank fingerprint card from the DRE.
The DRE requires all applicants to disclose any prior criminal activity on their license application. The DOJ and the FBI use your fingerprints to run a criminal background check. Their findings are sent to the DRE, where it is cross-checked with the criminal activity disclosed on your license application (if any).
Your fingerprints will be electronically sent to the California DOJ and the FBI. Both the DOJ and FBI will run a criminal background check and report their findings to the California Department of Real Estate. The DRE will use the criminal background check to verify that you meet their qualifications for "honesty".
You must have your fingerprints taken at a local Live Scan service provider. You will have to complete a Live Scan Service Request form, schedule your fingerprints with a local Live Scan provider, get your fingerprints taken at the Live Scan office, and submit a copy of the Live Scan Service Request form to the DRE.
The California Department of Justice website publishes a list of Live Scan fingerprinting locations. You first have to select your County, after which you will see a list of all Live Scan locations in that County.
The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) charges a $49 non-refundable fingerprint processing fee. You must get your fingerprints taken at a local Live Scan office, which charges an additional fee. The Live Scan fee varies per location.
If you live outside of California, the DRE will send you a fingerprint card along with your license application. You must use the fingerprint card to get your fingerprints taken at a local law enforcement agency. You will then mail the fingerprint card back to the DRE, along with your license application.