How to Choose a Background Screening Company

The Stakes Are High

Your screening provider touches some of the most sensitive decisions your company makes. They handle personal information about your candidates, affect your ability to hire quickly, and create legal exposure if they're not FCRA-compliant. Choosing the wrong provider costs more than money.

What to Look For

1. FCRA Compliance Infrastructure

The provider must be a legitimate Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that operates in full compliance with the FCRA. Ask specifically:

• Do they provide compliant disclosure and authorization forms?
• Do they support the adverse action process (pre-adverse notice, waiting period, final notice)?
• Are they willing to certify their compliance practices in writing?

2. Accreditation

Look for PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association) accreditation. Accredited members have undergone rigorous independent audits of their compliance, data security, and operational practices.

3. Turnaround Time

Fast results matter when you're trying to fill positions. Ask specifically:

• What is the average turnaround for a standard criminal check?
• What happens when a component is delayed? Do they notify you proactively?
• Do they have direct integrations with court systems and verification databases?

4. Accuracy and Data Quality

A background check is only as good as its data sources. Ask:

• Do they supplement national database searches with direct county courthouse searches?
• How do they handle records that require manual research?
• What is their process when they find a potential record match that needs verification?

5. Industry Expertise

If your industry has specific requirements — DOT compliance, healthcare OIG checks, financial services FINRA verification — your provider needs to know those requirements, not just run generic searches. Ask for examples of clients in your industry.

6. Customer Service

When you have a question or a time-sensitive situation, can you reach a human who knows your account? A call center that puts you in a queue is not the same as a dedicated account contact.

7. Technology and Integration

Does the platform integrate with your ATS (Applicant Tracking System)? Can candidates complete authorization forms online? Is the interface easy for HR teams to use?

8. Transparent Pricing

Understand exactly what you're paying for. Watch for:

• Setup fees that recur annually
• Per-search fees that aren't clearly disclosed upfront
• Charges for components that weren't ordered
• Minimum monthly usage fees

What to Avoid

Providers who lead with price over compliance: The cheapest provider often cuts corners on county courthouse searches, compliance documentation, or data quality. A failed adverse action process costs far more than a slightly cheaper background check.

One-size-fits-all packages: Your needs differ by role. A provider that only offers standard packages without customization may be selling you searches you don't need and missing ones you do.

Slow or non-existent support: Background checks are time-sensitive. A provider who takes days to respond to support requests creates delays in your hiring process.

No FCRA training for customers: A good provider proactively educates their clients on compliance requirements — they don't just process orders.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

1. Are you PBSA-accredited?
2. What FCRA compliance training or resources do you provide to clients?
3. What is your average turnaround time, and what happens when a component is delayed?
4. How do you handle court records that require manual research?
5. Do you have experience with clients in our industry?
6. What is your process when a candidate disputes the accuracy of a result?

At Do It Right Screening, we pride ourselves on responsive service, FCRA compliance, and specialized expertise in DOT and employment screening. Contact us to discuss your needs.