Get credentialed to run background checks

This article will help you understand:

• Getting credentialed to run background checks
• Establishing permissible purpose

Getting credentialed to run background checks

Here's a quick overview video that looks at the credentialing process:

Before gaining a Checkr test or production account, you must first create and credential your account.

New accounts must be credentialed by Checkr’s Customer Support team before they will be allowed to request background checks. We use the information provided to assess the validity of the business and its permissible purpose. This process generally takes less than 1 business day.

The background screening industry in the United States is heavily regulated by federal, state, and local levels of government, and primarily by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Checkr complies with these laws, and helps its customers comply, through multiple Checkr product features.

Two key processes in the account authorization process also enable compliance: establishing permissible purpose, and confirming a compliant user interface workflow.

Establishing permissible purpose

You must have a permissible purpose to initiate a background check under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  Permissible purposes under the FCRA include extending credit to a consumer, a "legitimate business purpose", and for an employment purpose. International background checks also require a permissible purpose. International lawful permissible purposes may be different from the FCRA permissible purposes, and will vary by country. We recommend you work with your legal counsel to ensure you choose the appropriate permissible purpose for the applicable location and your business needs.

Checkr establishes a customer's permissible purpose by collecting and confirming a number of key details about the business entity running a background screen. Customers signing up through our automated flow will be asked to provide:

• Legal business name (associated with Employer Identification Number)
• Number of employees
• Industry
• State of incorporation
• Doing Business As (DBA)
• Corporate Website (If you do not have a corporate site, we’ll also accept a Bloomberg, Crunchbase, YP.com, YC, or Dun & Bradstreet Profile.)
• Tax ID / Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Tax Classification
• Purpose
• Address and Phone Number

Customers working directly with a Checkr Customer Success manager to set up their accounts will also be asked to provide a copy of their articles of incorporation.

Some permissible purposes may impose additional legal requirements on the business entity running a background screen. For example, purposes involving checking a candidate's credit history require an onsite inspection of the entity's business premises.

Next, visit Help me understand Checkr Packages for information on available screening packages.