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.
Where to Get Fingerprinted
Fingerprinting services for civil applicants are no longer available at the Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Little Rock.
Harvester Location
A Harvester can generate state and federal background checks while also capturing and submitting fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
LiveScan Operator Location
A LiveScan Operator can only capture and submit fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
Concealed Handgun Carry License Fingerprint Locations
Both Harvesters and LiveScan Operators can capture and submit fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses. This submission will be sent electronically using CCL as the as the three-letter prefix. The remaining 9 digits that make up the 12-character transaction number will be taken from either an online payment confirmation number or a transaction number provided by the Arkansas State Police.
Out of State Fingerprint Submissions
If you do not live in Arkansas, you will not be able to submit fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). You will need to submit fingerprints on an FD-258 fingerprint card to whomever is requesting them from you.
If you are needing to submit fingerprints to an agency or department outside of Arkansas, you will need to go to a fingerprinting location that can print an FD-258 fingerprint card. They will be able to capture your fingerprints without an electronic submission to the AFIS. An FD-258 fingerprint hard-card will be printed for you to take and submit to whomever is requesting them from you.
Rejected Fingerprints
If a fingerprint submission is rejected due to poor quality prints, the applicant will receive a letter from the Arkansas State Police. This letter must be taken with the applicant when the applicant goes for an electronic resubmission, because it includes two specific numbers that are mandatory for proper electronic resubmission. You can only resubmit fingerprints electronically.
If your fingerprints are rejected a second time due to poor quality prints, then a name search is conducted through the FBI by the ID Bureau or the Concealed Handgun Carry License Department. You will not need to be printed more than twice for one transaction number that has been rejected.
How to Become a Harvester for LiveScan Fingerprinting
A Harvester can generate state and federal background checks while also capturing and submitting fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
To become a harvester for livescan fingerprinting you will need to do the following:
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Choose an ASP-authorized vendor and obtain a LiveScan machine. Click on the link above for a list of approved vendors. A list can also be emailed to you upon request from the AFIS Department by calling (501) 618-8504.
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Contact the AFIS Department at (501) 618-8504 to request the ASP Harvester/Livescan Operator Customer Form and the Third-Party Vendor Memorandum of Understanding. Fill out, sign, and return these two items to the AFIS Department.
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Set up an account with Tyler Technologies (formerly known as INA). You can access this online system through the Arkansas State Police website. If you are only submitting fingerprints for Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses, an account with Tyler Technologies is not needed.
https://dps.arkansas.gov/
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Click on the Arkansas State Police tile.
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Click “Criminal Background Check” (located in the Licensing section).
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Click “Subscribe Online.”
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Click “Create Account.”
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The AFIS Department will be in contact with you and your vendor during the connection and testing phase. AFIS will need to be contacted before a test case is submitted from the livescan machine.
How to Become a Fingerprint Operator for LiveScan Fingerprinting
A LiveScan Operator can only capture and submit fingerprints electronically to the Arkansas State Police AFIS. If you would like to generate state and federal background checks, while also capturing and submitting fingerprints electronically, please see How to Become a Harvester for LiveScan Fingerprinting.
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Choose an ASP authorized vendor and obtain a LiveScan machine. Click on the link above for a list of approved vendors. A list can also be emailed to you upon request from the AFIS Department by calling (501) 618-8504.
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Contact the AFIS Department at (501) 618-8504 to request the ASP Harvester/LiveScan Operator Customer Form and the Third-Party Vendor Memorandum of Understanding. Fill out, sign, and return these two items to the AFIS Department.
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The AFIS Department will be in contact with you and your vendor during the connection and testing phase. AFIS will need to be contacted before a test case is submitted from the livescan machine.
Fingerprinting Classes
Arkansas State Police offers a free fingerprint class conducted by AFIS Fingerprint Technicians. This two-hour class will teach you how to capture the best fingerprints for submission. It is also informational for all aspects of fingerprint submission. If you would like to sign up for a class, please contact the AFIS Department at (501) 618-8504.
How to Become a Fingerprint LiveScan Vendor for Arkansas
Third party vendors who meet the terms and conditions established by the Arkansas State Police may be allowed to establish and maintain a connection to the AFIS for purposes of transmitting fingerprint information from the harvester’s/operator’s livescan equipment to the ASP AFIS.
To be considered as a fingerprint livescan vendor for the state of Arkansas, you will need to complete the following process:
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Vendors will need to complete and sign the Arkansas State Police Vendor Form, Electronic Fingerprint Civil Harvester Terms and Conditions, and the Third-Party Vendors Memorandum of Understanding to the appropriate individuals. These items will be emailed to you upon request from the AFIS Department at (501) 618-8504.
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Upon acceptance of the above items, the pertinent documents for software requirements will be provided to the vendor.
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The vendor will need to make sure their Arkansas customers have either attended a fingerprint class or have been shown how to take fingerprints correctly. Information on the fingerprint class taught by ASP can be found by calling the AFIS Department at (501) 618-8504.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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I am a harvester, and I am having issues sending the fingerprints, who do I need to contact?
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You will need to contact your vendor to help with any issues submitting fingerprints to the AFIS Department at the Arkansas State Police.
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I am a harvester, and an applicant is needing to resubmit fingerprints due to a reject notification. What do I do?
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You can contact your vendor to assist you with how to resubmit fingerprints to the AFIS Department at the Arkansas State Police.
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I need to be fingerprinted. Where do I go?
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Please refer to the “Where to get Fingerprinted” section for a list of locations.
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Can I submit fingerprints taken electronically and printed out on a fingerprint card or paper?
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No, you will have to find a harvester or livescan operator to send your fingerprints to AFIS electronically. If you are located outside of Arkansas, you can still submit an FD-258 fingerprint card.
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Can I email my fingerprints to you all?
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No, we can only accept electronic fingerprint submissions from an approved harvester or livescan operator.
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Will I need to pay to be fingerprinted?
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You will have to check with each individual harvester or livescan operator. They are private businesses.
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How do I obtain a fingerprint comparison?
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Please call (501) 618-8500.
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Can I get a refund for a background check?
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Background check requests are non-refundable.
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Who do I contact regarding becoming a Harvester or Livescan Operator?