What a Florida Level 2 screening costs, where to get one, how long it takes, and what shows up. Fingerprint-based state and national screening, $119 flat, all-in.
A Level 2 background check is the fingerprint-based screening Florida statute requires for positions of trust — roles involving children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. It covers Florida criminal history through FDLE and national criminal history through the FBI, and it runs through whichever agency governs your role: AHCA for healthcare, DCF for childcare and foster care, the Department of Health or DBPR for licensing, a school district for education. We handle every route at a flat $119, all-in.
The questions below are the ones Florida applicants actually search for. Note that eligibility questions — what fails, what disqualifies, whether a misdemeanor clears — are decided by the requesting agency under Florida law, not by us. We capture and submit accurately and verify your ORI first; the agency makes the eligibility determination.
At our office a Level 2 background check is a flat $119, all-in for any Florida agency route — the state fee, the federal fee, and the AHCA retention fee where it applies are already included. Costs vary widely between providers because many quote a service fee and then add the agency fees at the counter, so the number you were told is rarely the number you pay. Ours is the all-in figure, with nothing added at your appointment.
You can get a Level 2 background check at any FDLE-approved Live Scan provider; if you are in Palm Beach County, we handle it at our downtown West Palm Beach office by appointment, usually same or next day. What matters more than location is that the provider verifies your ORI — the number that routes your results to the right agency — before capturing, because the wrong routing means paying to be printed twice. Call (561) 475-4757 and we confirm it on the callback.
A Level 2 background check in Florida is usually processed within a few business days after your fingerprints are submitted electronically to FDLE. The capture itself takes about ten minutes; the processing time is on the state and federal side, not the provider. Screening the week you need to start puts your date at risk, so book a few days ahead of any deadline.
A Level 2 background check is “failed” when it turns up a disqualifying offense under the Florida statute governing the role — these are defined in Florida law and centre on serious offenses, particularly those involving children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Whether a specific offense disqualifies you depends on the offense, its timing, and the position. Florida also provides a formal exemption process in many cases. That is a legal determination made by the requesting agency, not by a fingerprinting provider, so we capture and submit but do not decide or advise on eligibility.
Not in the usual sense — a Level 2 screening has to be requested under the ORI of the agency or employer that requires it, so it routes to them rather than to you. Unlike an FBI Identity History Summary, which you can request on yourself, a Level 2 is tied to a specific requesting agency. If you need to see your own Florida criminal history, that is a different request through FDLE; tell us what you actually need and we will point you the right way.
A Level 2 background check in Florida shows state criminal history through FDLE and national criminal history through the FBI — it is a fingerprint-based check covering both levels. This is broader than a Level 1, which is a name-based Florida-only search. Because it reaches national records, a Level 2 is the standard required for positions of trust involving vulnerable populations.
Often yes — not every misdemeanor is disqualifying, and whether one is depends on the specific offense, when it occurred, and the requirements of the role. Florida's disqualifying-offense list centers on serious and violent crimes and offenses against vulnerable people, and many applicants with minor or old records are cleared or granted an exemption. Because this is an agency eligibility decision rather than a fingerprinting one, we cannot tell you the outcome — the requesting agency makes that call.
Disqualification from a Florida Level 2 screening is governed by statute and generally involves serious offenses — violent crimes, sexual offenses, and crimes against children, the elderly, or people with disabilities are the core categories. The exact list and any look-back periods depend on the specific role and the agency requesting the screening. Florida provides a formal exemption process for many disqualifying offenses, but the determination is made by the agency, not by the provider who captures your prints.
To get a Level 2 background check in Florida, you need the ORI number from whoever requires your screening, then a fingerprint appointment at an FDLE-approved provider. Bring a valid photo ID and the ORI; we verify the ORI before capture, take rolled and flat impressions plus the Clearinghouse photo where the route needs one, and submit the same day. Call (561) 475-4757 or send the request form and we handle the rest.
A Level 2 background check will show your fingerprint-based state and national criminal history — arrests, charges, and dispositions reported to FDLE and the FBI — or confirmation that no record exists. It does not include credit, employment, or civil records. Because it is fingerprint-based rather than name-based, it is more accurate than a standard database search and harder to confuse with someone of a similar name.
A Level 2 result's validity depends on the agency and the route: healthcare screenings deposited in the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse are generally retained for five years as long as an employer keeps your status current, while other routes typically want a result issued within the past six to twelve months. There is no single universal expiry — check the requirement for your specific role. If your Clearinghouse status lapses, you may need to be rescreened when you return to the field.
Call (561) 475-4757 or send the request form. Bring your ORI and a photo ID — we verify the routing before you come in.
