Background check software provides companies and candidates with pre-employment screening solutions to ensure the veracity of new hires’ stated backgrounds. The software helps organizations streamline the screening process for new hires and volunteers, as well as organize the data collected through the screening process. These solutions commonly conduct employment, education, credit history, and criminal background checks, while some even facilitate drug screens.
Keep in mind that vendors that conduct background checks must be accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) and classified as Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRA) under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Some background checks providers are not themselves compliant, but instead provide integrations or work through third parties that are compliant with state and federal laws.
Background check software is typically offered in conjunction with a larger suite of core HR solutions but, if sold individually, often integrates with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Integration with an ATS is useful because it allows companies or HR departments to access background check information through one online portal using a single sign on, streamlining the application process and helping HR maintain a holistic view of each candidate.
To qualify for inclusion in the Background Check category, a product must:
- Provide background screening of candidates such as employment, education, credit history, and criminal background checks
- Track the status of background checks in real time
- Facilitate direct communication between the candidate and screeners
- Securely store and protect all background check results
- Integrate with a larger suite of HR software
