The submitted digital face image must adhere to the following specifications.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be advised that failure to comply with any of the following requirements may result in rejection of your image by the online image quality assessment test or by a human reviewer.

Download PDF version (to bring to professional photographer)

Examples of well-composed images

• The image must contain the full face, neck, and shoulders of the applicant in frontal view with a neutral, non-smiling expression and with eyes open and unobstructed and directed at the camera.
• All facial features must be visible and unobstructed.
• No extraneous objects, additional people, parts of the body below the applicant's shoulders, or other artifacts.
• The image must be from a recent (within 6 months) photo of the applicant.

• The head height or facial region size (measured from the top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be between 50% and 69% of the image's total height.
• The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the image's height.
• Composition Checklist

• Subject must directly face the camera.
• Head must not be tilted up, down, to the side, or toward the shoulders.
• Head must be centered within frame.

• Subject must be surrounded by a plain, light-colored background with no distracting shadows on the subject or background.

• The entire face must be in focus and not overly-sharpened.

• Brightness and contrast should represent subject accurately.

• Image must be in color (24 bits per pixel).
• Black and white photos are not acceptable.
• Color should reproduce natural skin tones.
• Color must be continuous tone no posterization.

• Photo may not be over- or under-exposed.
• Avoid shadows on face or background.

• Fine facial features should be discernible.
• No discernible pixels/pixelization, graininess, or dot patterns.

• Image must not be overly compressed (the compression ratio used should be less than or equal to 20:1).

• Digital enhancement or other alterations or retouching are not permitted.
• When resizing, the aspect ratio of the image must be preserved (no image stretching is allowed).

• Eyeglasses are acceptable in photo only if the lenses are not tinted and there is no glare, shadows, or rims/frames obscuring the eyes. Glare on eyeglasses can usually by avoided by a slight upward or downward tilt of the head.
• Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons.

• No sunglasses or other items that obscure the face.
• Hats or head coverings are only allowed if worn for religious reasons AND if they do not obscure any facial features.