A background check for employment is an investigative process that allows employers to verify a job candidate’s professional, legal, and personal history before making a hiring decision. The goal is to confirm that the applicant meets job qualifications, is trustworthy, and does not pose a risk to the company...

You don’t need a full program overhaul to start Q1 strong. A fast, practical checkup makes sure the right FCRA-compliant employment background checks are mapped to each job family, your recruiters know exactly which package to order, and your basic compliance steps are still tight.

Markets are whiplashing. Demand spikes, then cools. Budgets tighten. In a roller coaster economy, your hiring plan needs a throttle you can feather up or down, and your background screening program is the lever that keeps decisions precise, compliant, and fast. This playbook shows how to use screening to control risk and speed at the same time.

If you’ve ever been lured in by a $5 background check ad, only to find unexpected charges later, this guide is for you. In this article, we’ll break down what factors affect background check pricing, typical price ranges, hidden fees to watch out for, and how to choose a provider that delivers accuracy, compliance, and value.

DIY background checks feel fast, but they miss key records, mix people up, and surface protected info that can put you in legal hot water. If you use third-party data to make hiring decisions without proper disclosure, consent, and adverse action, you may be violating the FCRA. This guide shows small and mid-sized businesses why Google and social media aren’t screening, the common accuracy traps, and how to set up a simple, compliant workflow that protects your team and your candidates while helping you hire with confidence.

Running volunteer programs shouldn’t mean drowning in paperwork. This practical guide to nonprofit volunteer background checks explains the why behind each step and the what to do next. You’ll learn to build role-based tiers, use pointer databases wisely, handle state-specific disclosures, and follow volunteer-appropriate FCRA steps. The result: faster decisions, lower costs, and a safer program that consistently places the right people in the right roles at the right time

If your job post says “degree required,” you need proof—fast. This guide breaks down what education verification confirms (school, degree, major, dates), how to spot diploma mills, and a simple FCRA-safe workflow. See why partnering with a CRA boosts speed, accuracy, and cost control for small and mid-sized teams.

Hiring is hard enough without chasing down old HR departments. Employment history verification confirms where a candidate worked, when, and what they did. It helps you validate scope of experience and avoid surprises. It’s one piece of your broader background checks process, and it’s different from proving identity or work authorization. In this guide, you’ll get a simple, defensible process that fits small and mid‑sized businesses.

For small businesses, one bad hire can trigger costly lawsuits, compliance headaches, or lost clients. Background checks aren’t optional anymore—they’re essential for SMBs to hire smarter, stay compliant, and protect their future.

Background checks in 2025 range from $20 to $250+, depending on role and scope. Learn what drives costs, what pass-through fees mean, and how SMBs can design the right screening package.

Employment background check rules in 2025 are evolving quickly. Learn how small businesses can stay compliant with FCRA, state laws, and adverse action requirements.

It’s a common assumption: when you run a background check, there must be a master “national database” that instantly returns every criminal record across the country. In reality, no such universal database exists. Background screening requires pulling records from multiple sources, each with its own limitations, reporting delays, and legal requirements. For HR professionals and hiring managers, understanding these limits isn’t just a technical detail — it’s essential! Read more...

When most people think about background checks, they imagine an employer, landlord, or volunteer organization running the screening. But what if you could take control of the process and run the check on yourself first? At Edify Background Screening, we offer Self-Checks—comprehensive background checks you order for yourself, giving you visibility into what others may see.

Not all “background checks” companies are built for hiring. This guide shows how real Consumer Reporting Agencies differ from people-search sites, what to compare (turnaround time, accuracy, pricing, integrations), and the compliance steps that matter. See why EDIFY fits teams from 25 to 10,000 employees.

Unlike large systems with internal legal and compliance departments, smaller practices often lack the resources to recover from a costly hiring mistake. That’s where a comprehensive, role-specific background screening program becomes essential. This article breaks down who should be screened, what you need to screen for by role, and most importantly, why background screening is a non-negotiable safeguard for small and mid-sized healthcare practices.

Creating a background check policy for your small business is a critical step toward protecting your company, employees, and clients. This guide will walk you through how to create a compliant, clear, and effective background screening policy tailored to your organization.

The average cost of a data breach in the United States is $9.48 million, according to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach report. While most businesses worry about external hackers, nearly 30% of breaches are caused by internal actors—employees, contractors, or partners with legitimate access to sensitive systems. If your team includes roles that handle Personally Identifiable Information (PII), financial data, customer records, or critical infrastructure then you'll want to read more...

When small and medium-sized businesses think about background checks, criminal records often come to mind first. While important, they only tell part of the story. A truly complete background check includes much more. If you're looking for how to set up a background check process for your small or medium-sized business, or you want to avoid common hiring pitfalls, this guide is for you.

When it comes to hiring, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often walk a tightrope between cost control and risk management. One of the key questions that comes up is: Should we run background checks ourselves, or partner with a professional screening company? The answer depends on your business goals, resources, and tolerance for risk. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each option and help you decide what’s right for your organization.

Smart, practical strategies for building a strong, compliant team—without a corporate HR department Hiring mistakes are expensive. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the cost of a bad hire can equal 30% of the employee’s first-year earnings—and that’s a conservative estimate. For small and midsize businesses (SMBs), even one bad hire can disrupt productivity, morale, and client satisfaction. Here are five proven hiring strategies that can help SMBs improve outcomes and reduce risk.

Why the wave of mergers, acquisitions, and outsourcing in the background screening industry is a wake-up call for small and medium-sized businesses. But what does that mean for your business?

Whether you're in healthcare, education, logistics, finance, or retail, there are compelling reasons to build ongoing background checks into your HR and compliance strategy. This guide will explain why re-screening matters, how to do it legally, and what roles should be prioritized for periodic review.

In today’s tight labor market, small and medium-sized businesses are often under pressure to fill positions quickly. But rushing a hiring decision without a proper background check can lead to costly mistakes. The consequences of a bad hire can ripple throughout your organization — damaging morale, productivity, and even your brand’s reputation.

In the fast-moving world of small business hiring, it’s tempting to choose the quickest and cheapest option when vetting new hires. That’s why many business owners and managers turn to instant background checks — online tools that promise criminal history and identity information in a matter of seconds.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader overseeing a community program or an individual preparing to volunteer your time, background checks for volunteer work are a critical part of ensuring safety, trust, and organizational compliance. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the essentials of volunteer screening—from what’s included, how much it costs, and how long it takes, to why it matters and what could go wrong without it...

Hiring the right employees is crucial for any business, but making the wrong hire can lead to costly mistakes, lost productivity, and even legal risks. That’s why finding the best background check company for small businesses or larger organizations is a decision you don’t want to take lightly...

In today's competitive business environment, small businesses must ensure they hire trustworthy and qualified employees. Implementing effective and affordable background checks is a crucial step in this process. This comprehensive guide will help HR professionals, managers, and small business owners understand the essentials of background screening, how to conduct them, what to expect, and how to select appropriate services based on the role being filled...

In today's world, background checks are crucial tools for assessing the credibility and trustworthiness of individuals. Whether you're applying for a job, renting an apartment, or screening a potential business partner, a background check provides essential information that can help you make informed decisions...

A North Carolina Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR) is a vital tool for employers who want to make informed hiring decisions for roles that require driving. Whether your business involves commercial driving, fleet management, or simply requires employees to operate company vehicles, reviewing a candidate’s driving record helps mitigate risks and ensures compliance with state and federal laws...