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BRN seeks vendor to convert mailed fingerprint hard cards to Live Scan to speed out‑of‑state licensing
Summary
BRN staff proposed a vendor contract to digitize hard-card fingerprints for out‑of‑state applicants, shifting a modest vendor fee to applicants in exchange for reducing fingerprint turnaround from weeks or months to days.
The Board of Registered Nursing on May 28 heard a proposal to contract with a vendor that converts mailed FBI hard‑card fingerprint impressions into DOJ‑acceptable electronic Live Scan submissions, a step staff said would speed licensure for out‑of‑state applicants.
BRN staff described the current process: the agency mails blank hard cards to applicants who then have them rolled by local law enforcement and return the cards by mail. That hard‑card pathway frequently takes three to twelve weeks because of mail and processing delays; DCA staff and presenters said Live Scan results typically arrive within five business days. Processing delays are especially consequential for endorsement applicants who have otherwise completed licensing steps but await fingerprint results.
Under the proposed vendor model, the BRN would send two hard cards to the applicant; a contracted vendor would digitize and upload the fingerprint images to DOJ Live Scan services on the applicant’s behalf and retain the hard card per DOJ rules. If fingerprints are rejected, the vendor retains the card and the vendor’s process would allow quicker re‑submissions; staff said this reduces repeated mail cycles and prevents automatic name‑checks triggered by multiple rejections.
Staff said the proposal shifts an additional vendor fee to the applicant. The underlying FBI/DOJ processing charge remains $49; the vendor fee — requested via invitation to bid — was expected to range in staff comments from about $51 to $99 but would be finalized after bids are received. DCA presenters said the executive officer supports the approach and that a bid process is underway.
Board members asked about the fee level and the possibility of law‑enforcement rolling fees the board cannot control. Staff said the final applicant cost will depend on bids and law‑enforcement charges in applicant jurisdictions.
The presentation was information only; staff said the approach aims to reduce turnaround time for out‑of‑state endorsements and to reduce repetitive rejection loops that delay approvals.
