key definitions

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Secure Identity. Anytime. Anywhere.

FD-258 Card: Standard FBI fingerprint card used for paper-based submissions
 

Live Scan: Digital fingerprint capture that replaces ink methods
 

FBI Channeler: An FBI-authorized transmission that expedites background checks

FBI Civil / Background Check (Non-Channeler):  A non-channeler submission goes directly to the FBI, which some agencies, foreign governments, and processes specifically require.  When requester instructions state: “issued by the FBI” or “obtained directly from the FBI,” the non-channeler option is usually what you need

FBI Federal Background Checks: Fingerprint-based FBI Identity History Summary checks for personal review, immigration, travel, employment (federal contractor), out-of-state certifications
 

SWFT: Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission for Department of Defense contractors and Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
 

FINRA: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority; oversees brokers’ background checks
 

ATF / NFA: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; regulates firearms
 

EFT (Electronic Fingerprint Transmission) File: Digitally formatted version of your fingerprints that contains high-resolution fingerprint images (10-print + rolled), personal identifiers (name, DOB, SSN, address), agency/transaction codes (like ORI numbers), Metadata required for ATF, FBI, or other agencies
 

ORI Number: Originating Agency Identifier; determines where prints are sent

Capture Method – how fingerprints are taken (ink, live scan, or digital import) 

Submission Type – how (hard copy card or digitally) and where prints are sent (FBI, ATF, FINRA, state, etc.).
 

Industry or Regulatory Category: Who requires them (government, financial, healthcare, etc.).
 

Delivery Format: What clients receive (card, EFT file, electronic submission, etc.).

P2C (Print to Card): Electronically captured fingerprints printed onto a standard fingerprint card (FD-258 or equivalent)  for clients who still require a physical card submission for legacy systems. This combines the speed & quality of Live Scan capture with the ability to fulfill card-based requirements

LSP: Official Life Scan Provider (LSP), certified and authorized to accept fingerprints, process them, and transmit them to the relevant agencies (state, FBI, etc.) It ensures compliance with regulatory, security, and connectivity requirements

State Background Checks: We support fingerprint-based state background checks for licensing, employment, and regulatory compliance for education, security, real estate, childcare, skilled trades for some states

FBI-Approved & State Authorized: FBI standards for fingerprint quality and device compliance
 

Channeling Fee: Third-party processing fee added to government transmissions for faster turnaround

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