What is California Live Scan Clearance and Why It Matters for Secure Document Scanning?

Live Scan is California’s state-administered biometric background check system, overseen by the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ). It involves electronic fingerprinting and a comprehensive criminal history review conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis (BCIA). Live Scan clearance is required for personnel who access sensitive records in public safety, healthcare, legal, and educational environments.

What is California Live Scan Clearance and Why Is It Critical for Secure Document Scanning? 

Live Scan is California’s official biometric background screening program, administered by the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ). It uses electronic fingerprinting to perform a comprehensive criminal history background check through the DOJ’s Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis (BCIA). Live Scan clearance is mandatory for individuals who access or handle sensitive records in public safety, legal, healthcare, or educational environments. When digitizing documents that contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), financial data, or legal documents, it is essential that only thoroughly vetted, security-cleared personnel perform the work. Many agencies—including law enforcement, court systems, and government contractors—require vendors to use Live Scan–cleared staff as part of their data protection and compliance policies.TierFive fulfills this requirement by assigning key personnel who are Live Scan–cleared under CA DOJ standards, ensuring all sensitive documents are scanned and handled with verified integrity, regulatory alignment, and confidentiality.

How Live Scan–Cleared Personnel Enhance TierFive’s Document Scanning Security

TierFive provides secure document scanning services we are HIPAA , SOC2 and ISO 27001 certified. By assigning only BCIA 8016 applicant agency approved Live Scan–cleared personnel to all high-sensitivity scanning projects. TierFive delivers a layer of security assurance that most vendors cannot match as our key staff is also PBSA compliant and federal e-verification background verified. Our multi agency fingerprint-screened staff meet background standards equivalent to those required by agencies handling confidential or classified data. This clearance is especially critical for clients in the law enforcement, legal, medical, financial, and public sector spaces. Whether digitizing sealed court files, arrest reports, medical records, legal contracts, or tax documents, Live Scan–cleared staff are authorized and qualified to handle this information under California privacy and security laws. In addition to criminal history screening, Live Scan–approved personnel operate under signed confidentiality agreements, follow strict chain-of-custody protocols, and are trained in data protection best practices. Their presence within TierFive’s operation ensures compliance with agency and statutory requirements at every touchpoint.

Why Government and Regulated Clients Prefer Live Scan–Cleared Vendors

Many agencies and regulated entities cannot legally contract with vendors whose personnel have not passed DOJ-level background checks. This is particularly true when digitizing records that contain CORI, PII, or regulated health or legal information. Live Scan clearance satisfies the vendor suitability requirements imposed by:

• Law enforcement agencies (CLETS, CORI)

• Courts and legal offices (sealed case files, evidentiary documents)

• Healthcare providers (HIPAA-covered data)

• Financial institutions (GLBA, SOX compliance)

• Public sector employers (employment records, pension data)

TierFive’s Live Scan–compliant team allows our clients to fulfill their third-party risk management policies, meet procurement requirements, and ensure that digitization of sensitive paper documents does not compromise regulatory compliance.

Key Benefits of Live Scan–Cleared Scanning Personnel

Clients who work with TierFive benefit from an extra layer of personnel-based security and regulatory alignment. Our Live Scan-cleared staff bring trust, transparency, and legal assurance to projects involving restricted or confidential records. With documented clearance through the California DOJ, TierFive supports client compliance across a range of frameworks—from HIPAA and CLETS to FERPA, CJIS, and FCRA. This ensures that your scanning partner not only protects your data—but your legal exposure as well.

Contact TierFive today to learn more about how we can help your organization reduce overhead costs securely and accurately digitize highly sensitive records with the peace of mind knowing that you have the right partner.