Is there a standard background check for every role?

No. Too little screening leaves role risk uncovered, and unnecessary checks add cost, friction and compliance exposure. The right mix depends on the responsibilities of the role.

Is a national criminal database search enough?

It is a starting point. The National Criminal Search Index holds over 300 million records but matches on name and date of birth only. It points you toward records. County courthouses hold the primary record.

Do federal records show up in a county or state search?

No. Federal cases are heard across 94 federal judicial districts and do not appear in county or state results. A federal criminal search covers them.

Which drug test should we use?

It depends on what you need to know. Urine shows recent use, saliva a short window suited to on-site and post-accident testing, hair up to 90 days, and breath alcohol current intoxication. A Medical Review Officer reviews every result.

Who needs a driving record check?

Anyone who drives on your behalf, in a company vehicle or a personal vehicle used for work. Annual rescreens of every driver are recommended, and KRESS takes them as bulk orders.

Does an employment credit check affect the candidate's credit score?

No. It is a soft inquiry, visible only to the candidate, and it does not affect their score. The report you receive does not include the score either.

Can we run a credit check on every candidate?

Only where the role carries financial responsibility and the state permits it. The candidate must also give written consent first.

What does social media screening look at?

Public content only, against defined risk criteria: discriminatory or offensive content, comments about previous employers, inconsistencies against the resume, and evidence of illegal activity. Protected characteristics are filtered out.

Employment Background Screening Services

Criminal Background Checks

Searches the courts and databases that hold criminal records. County courthouses hold the primary record. National and statewide databases widen the search, and federal cases need a federal search of their own.

How it works

What it searches: County, statewide and federal courts, the National Criminal Search Index, the sex offender registry and global watch lists
County courts: More than 3,000 felony and misdemeanor courts across the US
National database: Over 300 million records, matched on name and date of birth only, so it is used alongside a county search
International: Criminal record searches in over 200 countries

Substance Abuse Testing

Drug and alcohol testing, set up as a program and policy for your business under local, state and federal law. A Medical Review Officer reviews every result, and you are only involved when a result is adverse.

How it works

Test types: Urine, saliva, hair and breath alcohol
Detection windows: Urine shows recent use, saliva a shorter window, hair up to 90 days, and breath alcohol current intoxication
Programs: Pre-employment, random, post-incident, reasonable suspicion and periodic testing
Results: Reviewed by a Medical Review Officer, a neutral third party

Driving Record Checks

A motor vehicle record from the state DMV, for anyone who drives on your behalf, in a company vehicle or their own. It shows the license and what the driver has done with it.

How it works

What it shows: License status, points, violations, convictions, accidents and DUI or DWI charges
Lookback: Three years in most states. Some states keep records for 7 to 10 years
Commercial drivers: CDLIS searches across all participating states
Bulk orders: An Excel or CSV upload, or an automated data exporter, for annual rescreens of every driver

Credit Background Checks

An FCRA-compliant employment credit report, for roles with financial responsibility where the law permits it. The report shows credit history and public records. It does not include the credit score.

How it works

What it shows: Credit-to-debt ratio, account details and payment history, and public records such as tax liens, collections and bankruptcies
What it leaves out: The credit score and bank account balances
Turnaround: Typically 1 to 3 business days
Lookback: Up to seven years, or up to ten for roles paying over $75,000 a year
Effect on the candidate: A soft inquiry, which does not affect their credit score

Social Media Screening

A review of the candidate's public social media against defined risk criteria, with protected characteristics filtered out. KRESS does the searching and reports what it flags.

How it works

What it flags: Discriminatory or offensive content, comments about previous employers, inconsistencies with the resume, and evidence of illegal activity
Reports: Pro: unlimited sites, 7 years of history. Basic: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn, 3 years
Turnaround: 1 business day for either report
What it reads: Public content only. Private accounts are not accessed
Protected characteristics: Filtered out by the Protected Class Safety feature

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Employment Background Screening Services

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Criminal Background Checks

Substance Abuse Testing

Driving Record Checks

Credit Background Checks

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