Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Arkansas live-scan technicians must hold a certification from the Arkansas State Police. Renewal runs on a two-year cycle, with a fee set by the ASP and a processing time of 4 to 6 weeks. You submit a renewal application, pay the fee, and complete a background check if the ASP asks for one. No state exam is required to renew.
Do I need a license to be a live-scan technician in Arkansas?
Yes. Anyone who submits fingerprints to the state's Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) has to hold a Live Scan Fingerprint Technician Certification from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) [1]. No certification, no submissions. The system rejects prints that don't come from a certified tech.
The ASP runs the program through its Fingerprint Services section. Arkansas Code §12-12-211 gives the ASP Director authority to "promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of the system and for the certification of persons who take fingerprints for submission to the system" [2]. That sentence is the whole legal basis for the certification.
You need to be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, and clear a state and federal background check. Initial certification is a separate process from renewal, but the same office handles both. Starting fresh means an application, a passport-style photo, the fee, and a set of your own fingerprints. Renewal is lighter. You still have to keep the certification active, though, or you're back to square one.
How much does live-scan technician renewal cost in Arkansas?
Renewal is cheap. The fee is set by the ASP and published on the Live Scan Fingerprint Technician Certification page [3], and historically it has been $25. Confirm the current number on that page before you mail anything. Fees can change without much warning.
If the ASP wants a new criminal history check at renewal, add $22 for the Arkansas State Police background check. That's a separate fee, paid directly to the background check unit [4]. Both together put you around $47 out of pocket.
Pay by check or money order made out to the Arkansas State Police. No credit cards for these fees. Send the exact amount. Overpayments get kicked back and slow you down.
New techs always ask about startup costs. If you're getting into the business, LiveScanPath sells a $149 one-time Live-Scan Site Kit that bundles the paperwork you need to get certified and start working. You don't need it to renew. It's for people who are new and would rather not read the ASP website line by line.
How long does live-scan technician renewal take in Arkansas?
Plan on 4 to 6 weeks. The ASP's Fingerprint Services page lists processing time for any certification action as 4 to 6 weeks, counted from the day they receive your complete packet [5]. A month to six weeks is the honest window.
Incomplete packets sit in a queue. The two things that stall people most are a missing fee and a photo that doesn't meet the guidelines. Check both before the envelope leaves your hands.
Renewing close to your expiration date is a bad idea. The ASP has no expedited service. You can't walk into an office and get it done the same day. Give yourself the full six weeks and then some.
What's the step-by-step renewal process?
The ASP posts the renewal application on the certification page. Here's the exact order:
Download the Live Scan Fingerprint Technician Certification Renewal Application. Fill out every section. It asks for your name, certification number, contact information, and any change to your employment status.
Attach a recent passport-style color photo. Two inches by two inches, plain background, no glasses.
Write a check or money order for the renewal fee plus any background check fee.
If a background check is required, add a separate Background Check Request Form (on the ASP's background check page) and a fingerprint card. The ASP tells you whether you need this. Some renewals skip it, some don't. It comes down to how long you've been certified and whether you've had a gap in service.
Mail it all to: Arkansas State Police, Fingerprint Services, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209. Keep a copy of everything you send. If something goes missing, that copy is your proof.
Do I need continuing education to renew?
No. Arkansas asks for zero continuing education hours or training courses at renewal. The renewal application doesn't request CE credits, and the program statutes don't mention them at all [1][2].
Still, if you're new or coming back after a break, read the ASP's fingerprint submission guidelines before you start rolling prints again. The technology shifts now and then, and a rejected batch costs you time and money. That's advice, not a rule.
What happens if my certification expires?
You can't submit prints to the state AFIS once your certification lapses. That's the immediate cost. Let it slide more than a year past expiration and the ASP may make you reapply as a new applicant, which means the initial fee and the full background check over again.
The ASP does not publish a fixed grace period. Some techs have reported a roughly 30-day window where a late renewal still goes through with a late fee, but nothing about that is promised in writing. If you're already past your expiration date, call Fingerprint Services at (501) 618-8000. They'll tell you exactly where you stand.
How do I check my renewal status?
Call the ASP Fingerprint Services office at (501) 618-8000. Staff will pull your file by name and certification number. There's no online portal, no real-time tracker.
You can also email fingerprintservices@asp.arkansas.gov. Figure a few business days for a reply. If you're checking whether a renewal cleared, wait at least four weeks after mailing before you reach out. Call sooner than that and the answer is just "still processing."
How does the Arkansas State Police background check work?
The ASP runs a state criminal history check and a federal FBI check through the AFIS system. If you have to submit prints at renewal, you'll use the FBI FD-258 fingerprint card. The state portion costs $22 and the FBI portion adds $13.25 if a full federal check is needed [4].
One conviction doesn't automatically end things. The ASP reviews your whole record. A disqualifying offense gets you denied. The list of disqualifiers isn't published, but it generally covers felony convictions and certain misdemeanors involving dishonesty or violence. If you have a record, call the ASP's legal section and ask for a pre-screening before you spend money on fees.
How does Arkansas renewal compare to other states?
Every state runs its own process, so a tech working across state lines juggles several. Here's a quick read on a few neighbors and how Arkansas stacks up.
| State | Renewal cycle | Renewal fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 2 years | ~$25 | No CE, background check as needed |
| Alabama | 2 years | ~$25 | Certified through ALEA |
| Florida | Each cycle | ~$50 | Background check every time |
| Georgia | 3 years | ~$35 | Runs through the Georgia Crime Information Center |
| Utah | 2 years | ~$30 | No continuing education |
Arkansas is one of the cheaper, simpler states to keep a certification current. It's a solid place to earn your first one. The $149 Live-Scan Site Kit from LiveScanPath includes basic forms for several states, so you can build a multi-state operation without chasing each agency's paperwork one site at a time. Fees above are recent published figures; confirm each state's current number before you mail.
Is Arkansas a good state to start a live-scan business?
For a new tech, yes. The certification is cheap, the renewal is plain paperwork, and demand for prints (employment, licensing, background checks) holds steady year to year.
You'll need a live-scan machine, a secure internet connection, and a spot to take prints. The ASP doesn't require a separate business license for the technician, though you still follow local business rules. The certification is personal. You cannot hand it to an employee.
Once you're certified, you can get onto the ASP's list of approved vendors, which puts you in front of agencies and companies that need fingerprint services. No exam. No interview. Just the forms and the fee.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for live-scan technician in Arkansas?
Yes. You need a Live Scan Fingerprint Technician Certification from the Arkansas State Police. It's the only credential recognized for submitting fingerprints to the state AFIS system, and it's required under Arkansas Code §12-12-211. Without it, your submissions get rejected at the system level.
How much does live-scan technician cost in Arkansas?
The initial certification fee is typically around $25, and renewal is the same. If a background check is required, add $22 for the state check and possibly $13.25 for the FBI portion. Total renewal cost usually lands under $50. Confirm current fees on the ASP page before mailing.
How long does live-scan technician take in Arkansas?
Processing time for a renewal is 4 to 6 weeks from the day the Arkansas State Police receives your complete application. Incomplete packets add to the wait, most often over a missing fee or a bad photo. There is no expedited service, so build in extra time.
Can I renew online?
No. The Arkansas State Police does not offer online renewal for live-scan technicians. You download the application, print it, and mail it with a check or money order. There's no electronic payment option, so leave time for mail both ways.
Do I need a new photo for renewal?
Yes. The ASP requires a fresh passport-style photo with each renewal. It must be two inches by two inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain background. No glasses. An old or off-spec photo is one of the top reasons packets get held up.
What if I have a criminal record?
The ASP reviews your criminal history at renewal. A felony conviction or certain misdemeanors may disqualify you. If you have a record, contact the ASP's legal section before submitting and ask about your eligibility. A pre-screening can save you the fees on an application that won't clear.
Do I need to be an Arkansas resident?
No. Residency is not required to hold a live-scan technician certification. Plenty of techs live in neighboring states and serve Arkansas clients. You have to provide a mailing address, but it does not have to be in Arkansas.
Can I use my certification across state lines?
No. Arkansas certification is only valid for submitting prints to the Arkansas AFIS. You need a separate certification in each state where you operate. Some states have reciprocity arrangements, but Arkansas does not currently recognize certifications from other states.
What is the contact information for ASP Fingerprint Services?
Reach the Arkansas State Police Fingerprint Services office at (501) 618-8000 or by email at fingerprintservices@asp.arkansas.gov. The mailing address is 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209. Expect a few business days for an email reply.
Do I need a new set of my own fingerprints for renewal?
Not always. If the ASP requires a background check at renewal, you submit a new fingerprint card. If not, you only need the application, photo, and fee. The ASP notifies you when prints are required, so don't assume either way.
Is there a late fee?
The ASP does not publish a fixed late fee. If your certification has expired, call the office. They may charge a late renewal fee or treat you as a new applicant. A grace period is not guaranteed, so renew before your expiration date rather than test it.
How often do I renew my Arkansas live-scan certification?
Every two years. The certification runs on a two-year cycle, and you renew before the expiration date printed on your certification. Because processing takes 4 to 6 weeks, start the paperwork at least six weeks out to avoid a gap in your ability to submit prints.
Sources
- Arkansas State Police, Live Scan Fingerprint Technician Certification page: The ASP certifies live-scan fingerprint technicians and provides renewal applications.
- Arkansas Code §12-12-211: The ASP Director has authority to certify persons who take fingerprints for the state AFIS.
- ASP Live Scan Fingerprint Technician Certification page (fee information): Renewal fees are listed on the page; historically $25.
- Arkansas State Police Background Check page: State background check fee is $22; FBI check is $13.25.
- Arkansas State Police Fingerprint Services page: Processing time for certification actions is 4-6 weeks.
- ASP Contact page: ASP Fingerprint Services phone number and email.