Vendor Comparison · Live Scan Fingerprinting
Fieldprint vs Certifix: Which Vendor Is Right for Your State?
Both names appear in live scan fingerprinting research — but they serve very different purposes. Understanding which one covers your state, your agency, and your business model saves you costly mistakes before you invest in equipment or a partnership.
Fieldprint and Certifix operate in the same fingerprinting industry but in genuinely different lanes. Confusing them — or choosing one without understanding what the other does — is one of the most common research mistakes fingerprinting entrepreneurs make early in their business planning.
Here’s the clearest way to think about it: Fieldprint is a government program operator. Certifix is an entrepreneur partner network. Both are legitimate, both are FBI-certified, and both serve real client needs. But only one of them is the right foundation for building your independent fingerprinting business.
Quick answer: For building an independent fingerprinting business, start with Certifix. Know Fieldprint exists and understand which programs route through them — especially in Florida, where their school district contracts are significant — so you can route clients correctly when their agency requires it.
At a Glance: Fieldprint vs Certifix
| Category | Certifix | Fieldprint |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Model | ✓ Open entrepreneur partner network | Government/institutional contracts |
| State Contracts | Authorized — not exclusive | FL, DC, HI, OH, OR, WA, WI |
| Federal Programs | FBI background checks | ✓ FINRA, FDIC, NMLS, DoD, FBI |
| Florida FDLE / AHCA | ✓ Certified and authorized | Available via collection sites |
| Florida School Districts | Authorized | ✓ Specific program contracts |
| Partner Network Size | 1,200+ locations | 1,900+ collection sites |
| Entrepreneur Onboarding | ✓ Built for it | Institutional focus — limited |
| Set Your Own Pricing | ✓ Yes | Fixed program pricing |
| Best Starting Point | ★ Yes — start here | Know it, refer to it when needed |
Platform 1: Government Specialist
Fieldprint
fieldprint.com · Government programs, federal agencies, institutional contracts
Gov Programs
Fieldprint is one of the most serious institutional players in the fingerprinting industry. As an FBI-authorized private channeler — one of a very small number of companies with direct FBI submission and results authority — they operate at a level of federal trust that most consumer-facing platforms don’t reach. Their client list reads like a government directory: FINRA, FDIC, CDC, NMLS, the Office of Personnel Management, Defense Security Service security clearances, and Transportation Security Clearinghouse programs.
For state programs, Fieldprint holds contracts in Florida, DC, Hawaii, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. In Florida specifically, their footprint includes many school district programs — which means if a client is a school employee needing fingerprints routed through a district-contracted program, Fieldprint may be the required vendor regardless of what you operate.
Why Fieldprint Isn’t Your Business-Building Platform
Fieldprint’s model is built around winning and operating government contracts, not around building a network of independent entrepreneur partners. Their 1,900+ collection sites are primarily existing businesses that have been integrated into their submission network for specific program purposes — not businesses that chose Fieldprint to build an independent fingerprinting income stream.
This isn’t a criticism of Fieldprint — it’s just an accurate description of what they are. They’re extraordinarily good at what they do. What they do isn’t “help a notary add fingerprinting to their mobile services business.” Certifix does that.
✓ Fieldprint Strengths
- FBI-authorized private channeler — rare, high-trust designation
- State contracts: FL, DC, HI, OH, OR, WA, WI
- Covers FINRA, FDIC, NMLS, DoD, OPM federal programs
- 1,900+ collection sites nationwide
- Florida school district program contracts
- HANK proprietary back-office management system
✗ Limitations for Entrepreneurs
- Not designed as an entrepreneur partner platform
- No open partner onboarding for independent operators
- Fixed program pricing — no margin-building flexibility
- Better suited for institutional operators, not mobile service businesses
Which Vendor Handles Which Florida Agency?
Our Live Scan course covers exactly which programs route through Fieldprint, IdentoGO, and Certifix in Florida — so you can route clients correctly from day one and never lose an appointment to a vendor mismatch.
Platform 2: Entrepreneur’s Choice
Certifix Live Scan
certifixlivescan.com · Your platform for independent fingerprinting operations
Build Here
Where Fieldprint’s value is in the government programs it controls, Certifix’s value is in the independence it gives you. Their partner model is explicitly designed to onboard existing service businesses — notaries, shipping centers, mobile operators — into a certified live scan network without requiring you to win a government contract or operate under a corporate franchise structure.
In Florida, Certifix covers what most fingerprinting entrepreneurs actually need: FDLE submissions for healthcare workers, teachers, childcare providers, contractors, and professional license applicants; AHCA submissions for the healthcare industry; and FBI background checks for direct requests. That’s the bulk of everyday fingerprinting volume for a Florida operator.
The enrollment system, QR code check-in, and submission infrastructure are all handled through Certifix’s platform. You bring the physical location and the client relationships. They bring the certified submission network. Your margin sits in the gap between what you charge for service and what the platform costs to operate — and that margin is yours to structure.
✓ Certifix Strengths
- FDLE-certified for Florida general background checks
- AHCA-authorized for Florida healthcare worker submissions
- Open partner network — designed for entrepreneurs
- Walk-in and appointment service supported
- QR code enrollment reduces client intake friction
- Pricing flexibility — you set your own service fees
- California DOJ compliant for operators serving both states
✗ Certifix Limitations
- Cannot substitute for Fieldprint on specific state program contracts
- Partner approval required — not instant onboarding
- Florida school district programs may route through Fieldprint specifically
State-by-State Context
Where Each Vendor Operates — Key States
| State | Fieldprint Role | Certifix Role |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | School districts, some state programs | ✓ FDLE, AHCA — primary open market |
| California | Some programs | ✓ DOJ compliant — primary open market |
| Ohio | ✓ State program contracts | Authorized supplemental |
| Oregon | ✓ State program contracts | Authorized supplemental |
| Washington | ✓ State program contracts | Authorized supplemental |
| Wisconsin | ✓ State program contracts | Authorized supplemental |
| Hawaii | ✓ State program contracts | Authorized supplemental |
| All other states | Federal programs only | ✓ Open market — primary platform |
Always verify: State contract arrangements change as contracts expire and are rebid. Before launching operations in any state, verify which agencies require which vendor directly with that agency — not with the vendor’s sales team.
Common Questions
Fieldprint vs Certifix — FAQ
Fieldprint specializes in government and institutional fingerprinting programs — holding state contracts in FL, DC, HI, OH, OR, WA, WI and serving federal agencies like FINRA, FDIC, and the FBI directly. Certifix is an open partner network for entrepreneurs to build independent live scan businesses. For most fingerprinting entrepreneurs, Certifix is the primary platform and Fieldprint is referenced only when a client’s agency specifically requires it.
Yes — Fieldprint holds contracts for specific Florida programs including many school district submissions. However, for general FDLE and AHCA submissions that make up the bulk of Florida fingerprinting volume, Certifix is certified and authorized. Florida entrepreneurs should know both platforms and understand which local agencies route through each.
Fieldprint’s model is oriented toward government program contracts and institutional relationships rather than individual partner locations. Most independent fingerprinting entrepreneurs will find Certifix’s open partner program significantly more accessible and better suited for building an independent service business.
Build your primary operation on Certifix — they’re FDLE-certified and AHCA-authorized for the highest-volume Florida submission types. Know that Fieldprint handles specific Florida school district programs and some state agency contracts, and route those clients accordingly. Florida insurance license applicants go through IdentoGO exclusively. Understanding all three platforms is what separates knowledgeable Florida fingerprinting operators from those who lose clients to vendor mismatches.
The Takeaway
Know Both. Build on One.
Fieldprint and Certifix aren’t competing for your partnership — they’re operating in different lanes of the same industry. Knowing both makes you the most knowledgeable fingerprinting operator in your market. Building your independent business on Certifix gives you the platform flexibility, margin control, and entrepreneur-oriented support structure you need to actually make money.
Build a Fingerprinting Business That Knows the Full Landscape
Our course covers every major vendor, state-specific programs, and the complete business model for profitable live scan operations in Florida and beyond.
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