New Applicants

The SBO requires that applicants furnish a full set of fingerprints for the purposes of conducting a criminal background check before a license will be issued. 

California Residents: 

All applicants who wish to have their fingerprints taken in the State of California must use the “Request For Live Scan Service” form. This form will be provided by the SBO, along with live scan locations within your county, after you have filled out your online BreEZe application,. A scanning fee may be collected when you get your fingerprints scanned. Since this fee varies widely among locations, you may want to review the cost before going to the live scan site. Be sure to check for any restrictions on the method of payment, such as cash, money order only or if any appointment is required. In addition to the scanning fee, a criminal history reporting fee of $49 will be charged at the time you submit for live scan service.

Visit https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations to locate Live Scan sites. Most local law enforcement agencies in California have Live Scan equipment. The Board can only accept Live Scan completed in California.

Non-California Residents:

Applicants who cannot have their fingerprints taken in the State of California must use a paper fingerprint card and service. The card is obtained by submitting your written or faxed request to the SBO at: Board of Optometry, 2450 Del Paso Road, Suite 105, Sacramento, CA 95834, fax (916) 575-7292. You must take this card to any local, state or other law enforcement agency for taking your fingerprints. A fingerprint-rolling fee may be collected when your fingerprints are taken.

Instructions for hard card submittal:

Please take the hard card to a qualified fingerprint office, i.e., law enforcement, where they will roll your prints (a fee may be charged). Log on to the Board's website at www.optometry.ca.gov, click on the New Fingerprint Requirements on the What's New Page, click the Fingerprint Certification Form link, complete the form, sign and date it. Send the completed card and form with the $49 Dept. of Justice and FBI fees to the Board of Optometry, Attn. Fingerprint Coordinator, 2450 Del Paso Rd., Suite 105, Sacramento, CA 95834. Please make checks/ money orders payable to the California State Board of Optometry.

Processing Time:

Typically, the processing of fingerprints done through the Live Scan service takes approximately three to seven business days to complete. The paper fingerprint card takes approximately four to six weeks to complete. If, after submitting your fingerprints, you wish to obtain their status, please visit: https://applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov/. Please be prepared to provide your date of birth and 10-digit ATI (Automated Transaction Identifier) number that appears at the bottom of the "Request for Live Scan Service Form."

Note: For California residents, please allow a minimum of seven (7) days, and for non-California residents, please allow for a minimum of four (4) weeks after having your fingerprints taken before making a status inquiry.