Getting Your Nevada Contractor License? Here Is What You Need to Know About Fingerprinting
Whether you are a general contractor, specialty trade professional, or subcontractor looking to work legally in Nevada, one requirement stands between you and your license: fingerprinting. At Fingerprinting Express, we have been helping Nevada residents and out of state applicants complete this step quickly, accurately, and without the headache since 2003. We are Nevada’s largest livescan fingerprinting provider, and we are here to walk you through everything you need to know.
Why Contractors in Nevada Are Required to Be Fingerprinted
The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) requires fingerprinting as part of the licensing process for contractors. This requirement exists so that the state can conduct a thorough criminal background check through the Nevada Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI. The goal is to protect consumers and ensure that licensed contractors meet the character and fitness standards required by Nevada law.
Fingerprinting is required for:
- New contractor license applicants
- Qualifying individuals on a contractor license (the person who meets the trade experience requirements on behalf of a company)
- Any individual listed as a primary officer or owner above a certain ownership threshold
- License reinstatement applicants
- Certain license changes that require a new qualifying individual
If you are applying for a Nevada contractor license, it is important to complete your fingerprinting early in the process. Delays in fingerprint processing can slow down your entire application.
Understanding the Nevada Contractor Licensing Process
Before you book your fingerprinting appointment, it helps to understand where fingerprinting fits in the overall licensing timeline.
Step 1: Determine Your License Classification
Nevada contractor licenses are divided into three primary categories:
Class A (General Engineering Contractor): For large scale projects involving infrastructure such as highways, utilities, and grading.
Class B (General Building Contractor): For contractors who build or manage construction of structures, including residential and commercial buildings.
Class C (Specialty Contractor): For tradespeople who work in a specific trade, such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, painting, flooring, and more. There are dozens of specialty classifications under Class C.
Once you identify the right classification, you will review the NSCB requirements for that license type, including trade experience, business structure, and financial standing.
Step 2: Submit Your Application to the NSCB
The Nevada State Contractors Board accepts applications online or by mail. Your application will include information about your business entity, qualifying individual, trade experience documentation, financial information, and relevant officer or owner disclosures.
Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting
After your application is submitted or in conjunction with it, each qualifying individual and required officer must be fingerprinted. The NSCB uses livescan fingerprinting, which captures your fingerprints digitally and transmits them electronically to the Nevada DPS and the FBI for background check processing.
This is where Fingerprinting Express comes in.
Step 4: Background Check Review
Once your fingerprints are submitted, the Nevada DPS processes the prints and returns results to the NSCB. The timeline for this step varies but generally takes one to four weeks, depending on processing volume. Any issues flagged in the background check will be reviewed by the board.
Step 5: Board Review and License Issuance
After all materials are received and reviewed, the NSCB will issue your license if all requirements are met. New applicants may need to appear before the board depending on their application details.
Livescan Fingerprinting for Nevada Contractor Licenses
Livescan is the electronic method of capturing fingerprints. Instead of using ink and rolling your fingers on paper cards, livescan uses a digital scanner to capture clean, accurate images of your fingerprints and transmits them directly to the appropriate agencies.
The NSCB requires livescan fingerprinting submitted through an authorized Nevada DPS livescan vendor. Fingerprinting Express is a fully authorized Nevada DPS livescan provider. We hold one of the lowest fingerprint rejection rates in the state, at just 0.02%, which means your prints are far less likely to be rejected or delayed because of quality issues.
What to Bring to Your Fingerprinting Appointment
- A valid, government issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- Your NSCB fingerprint request form or the ORI number provided by the board
- Payment for fingerprinting fees
How Long Does the Appointment Take?
A livescan fingerprinting appointment at Fingerprinting Express typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. No long waits, no messy ink, and no uncertainty about whether your prints were captured correctly.
Out of State Contractors: You Can Still Use Fingerprinting Express
One of the most common questions we receive from out of state applicants is: “I live in another state. How do I get fingerprinted for my Nevada contractor license?”
Here is the great news. You do not have to travel to Nevada just to get fingerprinted.
If you are located outside of Nevada, you can have your fingerprints taken at a local fingerprinting provider in your state using a standard ink fingerprint card (typically an FD258 card). Once you have your completed card, you simply mail it to Fingerprinting Express in Nevada, and we will convert it to a livescan submission on your behalf and transmit it electronically to the Nevada DPS.
Here Is How the Process Works for Out of State Applicants
- Contact your local law enforcement agency or local fingerprinting provider and ask for fingerprints on an FD258 card.
- Call or email Fingerprinting Express to let us know you will be mailing your card. We will confirm the mailing address and provide any specific instructions.
- Mail your completed fingerprint card and a copy of ID to our office.
- We receive your card, convert the fingerprints to a livescan digital submission, and transmit electronically to the Nevada DPS.
- The background check process proceeds just as it would for in-state applicants.
This service saves out of state contractors the time and expense of traveling to Nevada solely for fingerprinting. It is one of the many ways Fingerprinting Express goes beyond the basics to serve contractors, business owners, and professionals, no matter where they are located.
Four Convenient Nevada Locations
Fingerprinting Express operates four locations across Nevada to serve the contractor community wherever you are in the state.
Reno (Our Original Location)
Serving Northern Nevada contractors since 2003. Our Reno team has more experience with Nevada contractor fingerprinting than virtually any other provider in the state.
Las Vegas South Rainbow
Opened in 2017, this location serves contractors in the southwest valley and surrounding communities.
Las Vegas North Rainbow
Opened in 2021, this location provides fast, convenient service for contractors in the northwest valley and North Las Vegas area.
Henderson
Our newest location, opened in February 2025, serves the rapidly growing Henderson and East Valley contractor community.
All four locations are staffed by trained fingerprint technicians who understand the requirements of the Nevada contractor licensing process and can help ensure your prints are submitted correctly the first time.
Why Contractors Choose Fingerprinting Express
Contractors are busy. You cannot afford delays caused by rejected prints, incorrect ORI numbers, or submissions sent to the wrong agency. Here is why licensed contractors across Nevada trust Fingerprinting Express:
0.02% Fingerprint Rejection Rate
Our rejection rate is among the lowest in the state. That means fewer delays and fewer return trips.
Authorized Nevada DPS Livescan Vendor
We are fully authorized to submit livescan fingerprints directly to the Nevada DPS and the FBI on your behalf.
Over 1,000 Active Institutional Contracts
We serve regulated industries including construction, gaming, healthcare, education, and government. We know how to handle high volume and time sensitive submissions.
Out of State Card Conversion
No other step in the licensing process should require you to fly to Nevada. We handle out of state card conversions so you can stay home and move your application forward.
Fast, Professional Service
Our appointments are quick. Our staff is knowledgeable. Our results are reliable.
Culture To Care®
Our registered trademark philosophy, Culture To Care®, is not just a phrase. It reflects how we approach every person who walks through our door or mails us a fingerprint card. You are not just an applicant to us. You are someone trying to build something, and we take that seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada Contractor Fingerprinting
How do I know which ORI number to use for contractor fingerprinting?
The Nevada State Contractors Board will provide you with the appropriate ORI (Originating Agency Identifier) number as part of your application process. We also have this on file to properly process your fingerprint background check for the Nevada Contractor’s Board.
Can multiple people from the same company be fingerprinted at the same appointment?
Yes. If your application requires fingerprinting for multiple individuals such as qualifying individuals and officers, we can accommodate multiple people. We recommend calling ahead so we can schedule appropriately.
How long do fingerprint results take for a contractor license?
Processing times vary but typically range from one to four weeks through Nevada DPS and the FBI. Fingerprinting Express submits your prints electronically the same day as your appointment, so there is no delay on our end. It can take the board additional time to license you after receiving your background check results.
What if my fingerprints are rejected?
In the unlikely event that your prints are rejected due to quality, contact us. We will work with you to resubmit. Our 0.02% rejection rate means this is extremely rare, but we stand behind our work.
I already submitted my application. Is it too late to get fingerprinted?
No. Many applicants complete fingerprinting during or after the application submission process. Contact the NSCB directly to confirm where your application stands and what fingerprint submission they are waiting on.
Do I need an appointment?
Walk ins are welcome at all four locations, but scheduling an appointment is always recommended, especially if multiple individuals from the same business need to be fingerprinted.
Schedule Your Contractor Fingerprinting Appointment Today
Whether you are a Nevada resident or an out of state contractor seeking to do business in Nevada, Fingerprinting Express is your trusted partner for fast, accurate, and authorized livescan fingerprinting.
Visit any of our four Nevada locations in Reno, Las Vegas South Rainbow, Las Vegas North Rainbow, or Henderson, or contact us today to arrange your out of state card conversion by mail.
Get licensed. Get to work. We will handle the fingerprinting.
Walk ins are welcome or book your appointment or call the location nearest you.
Fingerprinting Express has been Nevada’s premier livescan fingerprinting provider since 2003. We serve contractors, healthcare professionals, gaming industry employees, educators, government workers, and individuals across Nevada and beyond. Culture To Care® is a registered trademark of Fingerprinting Express.
