Understand
How live scan money actually works
The amount on the receipt is not your revenue. A typical civil transaction has four layers. Mix them up and you will underprice, over-promise, or both.
01
Agency pass-through
State and federal criminal-history fees set by the requesting ORI. In Florida these are published; they are not optional and they are not yours to keep.
02
Your rolling / service fee
What you charge for the appointment, capture, and desk work. This is the number you control—and the one competitors race to the bottom on.
03
Platform fee
Software and transmission. LiveScan360 Traditional is $12 per scan with no subscription; Launch, Scale, and Optimize lower the per-scan cost as volume grows.
04
Operating costs
Rent or vehicle, payroll, card processing, insurance, marketing, printer supplies, and time spent on no-shows and reprints.
Florida example (typical licensee)
For many required applicant checks—realtors, school employees, Florida Bar, nurses, and similar—FDLE currently lists $24 state + $12 federal = $36 combined. If the applicant pays $99 at your desk on the Traditional plan:
| Layer | Amount | Who keeps it |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant pays you | $99 | Collected at the desk |
| FDLE + federal pass-through | −$36 | Agencies |
| LiveScan360 Traditional | −$12 | Platform |
| Gross remaining | $51 | You, before rent and payroll |
Other Florida products look different. AHCA Clearinghouse new-applicant screening is $60 to the agency stack (paid at the appointment), plus your rolling fee. Standalone FBI civil fingerprinting is listed at $28 before your service charge. Always confirm the ORI: agency fee schedule and the FDLE ORI directory.