Moving to Oregon doesn’t always mean leaving a California license behind. Nurses, teachers, contractors, therapists and other professionals often keep or apply for a California license while living here. The catch: California’s Live Scan only works inside California. Here is how out-of-state applicants get fingerprinted from Oregon.
Short answer: If you can’t get to a California Live Scan site, most California licensing boards let out-of-state applicants submit ink fingerprint cards (hard cards). Get the hard card instructions from your board, have the cards rolled in ink, and mail them back with your fees. Expect weeks of processing instead of days. PDX Fingerprinting rolls California hard cards at our Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego offices. Book an appointment.
Why you can’t do California Live Scan in Oregon
California Live Scan sends your prints electronically to the California Department of Justice, and only California Live Scan sites can do that. An Oregon Live Scan station transmits to Oregon State Police or the FBI, not to the California DOJ.
The out-of-state option: hard cards
California boards publish out-of-state instructions. The Medical Board of California, for example, says applicants outside California must submit two completed fingerprint cards or be fingerprinted at a California Live Scan site. It notes paper card results generally take about six weeks, versus about five days for Live Scan. The Veterinary Medical Board mails a hard card packet with instructions on request.
Each board sets its own process and fees, so always start with your board’s out-of-state instructions.
Step by step
- Get your board’s out-of-state fingerprint instructions or packet. It may include the correct cards and codes.
- Book an ink fingerprinting appointment and bring the cards, the instructions and an unexpired government photo ID.
- Complete the personal fields in black ink. Don’t guess at codes.
- Have both cards rolled. Most boards ask for two.
- Mail the cards with the board’s processing fees exactly as instructed, with tracking.
- Plan for the wait. Apply early if you have a start date.
Common mistakes that delay California applications
- Getting Oregon Live Scan and assuming it goes to California (it doesn’t)
- Using generic FD-258 cards when your board mailed its own
- Folding the cards or writing in the print boxes
- Missing the technician’s signature
- Forgetting the board’s processing fee
Other states work the same way
Many states only accept electronic prints from in-state sites, so out-of-state applicants use cards. We regularly handle out-of-state fingerprinting, including Florida (FDLE) Live Scan and cards, plus Ohio BCI and Maryland cards. See all card pricing.
Where to get California hard cards rolled near Portland
- 9620 NE Tanasbourne Dr, Suite 300, Hillsboro, OR 97124
- 5 Centerpointe Dr, Suite 400, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
- 1500 NW Bethany Blvd, Suite 200, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Or mobile fingerprinting at your location
FD-258 ink cards start at $35, and we check each card before you leave. Learn more about Live Scan and ink fingerprinting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do California Live Scan in Oregon?
No. California Live Scan must be done at a California Live Scan site. From Oregon, use the hard card process your board provides.
How long do California hard cards take?
It varies by board. The Medical Board of California says paper card results generally take about six weeks, compared with about five days for Live Scan.
Can I go to Vancouver, WA instead?
Washington sites can’t submit California Live Scan either. The hard card route is the same anywhere outside California.
