Act 630 of 2021 was enacted by the 93rd General Assembly during its Regular Session and goes into effect on July 28, 2021. Arkansas Code Annotated § 12-12-1005 was amended to add an additional subsection which reads as follows:
(d)(1)A background check request for a non-criminal justice purpose that must be completed under state or federal law through the Division of Arkansas State Police shall be submitted to the division by electronic means through the Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check System.
(2) This subsection does not apply to a submission originating outside the State of Arkansas.
Fingerprinting services for civil applicants are no longer available at the Arkansas State Police Little Rock Headquarters.
Available Fingerprinting Services
Available Background Check Pick List and Statutes
Harvester Location
A Harvester can generate state and federal background checks while also capturing and submitting fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System).
***Please contact agencies in advance! Fingerprinting services may be suspended due to COVID-19***
Live Scan Operator Location
A Live Scan Operator can only capture and submit fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System).
***Please contact agencies in advance! Fingerprinting services may be suspended due to COVID-19***
Concealed Handgun Carry License Fingerprint Locations
A Harvester for Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses can capture and submit fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System). They will need to submit the electronic prints under CCL as the prefix for the transaction number. The transaction number will be either the confirmation number received from an online payment OR a transaction number provided by the Arkansas State Police. ALL TRANSACTION NUMBERS MUST BEGIN WITH THE CCL PREFIX.
****Only resubmittal of fingerprints may use the CHL or CCL prefix, based on the original prefix used with the original transaction number.
***Please contact agencies in advance! Fingerprinting services may be suspended due to COVID-19***
Out of State Fingerprint Submissions
If you do not live in Arkansas, you will not be able to submit fingerprints electronically. You will need to submit fingerprints on an FD-258 fingerprint card to the entity requesting the background check.
Arkansas Code Annotated § 12-12-1005 was amended to add an additional subsection which reads as follows:
(2) This subsection does not apply to a submission originating outside the State of Arkansas.
Rejected Fingerprints
When fingerprints have been eroded due to wear and tear over time, fingerprints from a live scan machine may be rejected. If fingerprints are rejected, the applicant will receive a letter from the Arkansas State Police. This letter will include two specific numbers and instructions on the resubmittal of fingerprints. The applicant is directed to take the letter and any attachments to a Harvester or Live Scan Operator to have your fingerprints recaptured and resubmitted to the Arkansas State Police AFIS.
The following items are necessary for a resubmittal:
- Your transaction number. Example: ABC001234567 (not a real transaction number just an example)
- Your “E” number associated with the rejected transaction. Example: E2021123000000045678 (not a real “E” number just an example)
***The FBI requires two rejected fingerprint submissions before a manual name search is conducted. The Arkansas State Police staff will initiate the manual name search upon a second rejection. There is no need to submit any additional fingerprints unless requested by the Arkansas State Police.
Fingerprinting Classes
The Arkansas State Police offers free fingerprinting classes. For more information or to request a class, please contact 501-618-8500 and ask to speak with the AFIS department.
How to Become a Harvester for Live Scan Fingerprinting
*** Those wanting to become a Harvester to fingerprint for Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses ONLY, do not need to create an NIC account. If your plans include harvesting for other professions or types of licensures an account with NIC is required. ***
To become a harvester for live scan fingerprinting you will need to do the following:
Click here for a list of Live Scan Vendors
- Send a letter requesting permission to be able to submit as a Harvester-Electronically to AFIS. Please contact 501-618-8500 and ask for the appropriate people to send this letter to.
- In the letter, please include the following:
- Your request for permission to become a Harvester.
- The name, phone number, and email address for a contact person.
- The physical address where the live scan machine is located along with a phone number for this location.
- Proof of an NIC (formerly INA) account. If you do not have one already you will need to set up an account with NIC (formerly INA) 501-324-8900. You can also access NIC through our website, scroll down to licensing, and click on criminal background checks. You will see a log in screen but select the subscribe online in the top left corner. From there follow the instructions to set up an account.
- After you receive your machine, you will need to call the AFIS Department at 501-618-8504. Please have your IP address and Host ID ready to provide.
- When all of this has been completed you will receive a phone call at the number you provide in your letter. This call will be confirming your account and password information.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- I am a harvester, and I am having issues sending the fingerprints, who do I need to contact?
- You will need to contact your vendor to help with any issues submitting fingerprints to the AFIS Department at the Arkansas State Police.
- I am a harvester, and an applicant is needing to resubmit fingerprints due to a reject notification. What do I do?
- You can contact your vendor to assist you with how to resubmit fingerprints to the AFIS Department at the Arkansas State Police.
- I need to be fingerprinted. Where do I go?
- Please refer to the “Where to get Fingerprinted” section for a list of locations.
- Can I submit fingerprints taken electronically and printed out on a fingerprint card or paper?
- No, you will have to find a harvester or live scan operator to send your fingerprints to AFIS electronically. If you are located out of the state, you can still submit an FD-258 fingerprint card.
- Can I email my fingerprints to the Arkansas State Police?
- No, we can only accept electronic fingerprint submissions from an approved harvester or live scan operator.
- Will I need to pay to be fingerprinted?
- You will need to check with each individual Harvester and Live Scan Operator for fingerprinting fees. They are independent from the Arkansas State Police.
- How do I obtain a fingerprint comparison?
- For more information regarding fingerprint comparisons please call 501-618-8500.
- Can I get a refund for a background check?
- Currently, we do not provide refunds for any type of background check.
- Who do I contact regarding becoming a Harvester?
- Please see above under the “How to Become a Harvester for Live Scan Fingerprinting” section of the page for all that information.
- What is the status of my state and federal background check?
- Please contact the entity requiring the background check for status information.
