What Factors Affect the Cost of a Background Check?

The cost of a background check can vary widely depending on the depth, accuracy, turnaround time, and compliance built into the service. Here are the main factors that influence price:

🔍 Type of Information Requested

• Criminal History (County, State, Federal)

• Social Security Trace and Alias Match

• Sex Offender Registry

• Driving Records (MVR)

• Employment and Education Verification

• Drug Testing

• Professional License or Credential Checks

Each search adds time, resources, and potential third-party fees.

🌐 Scope of the Search

• The number of local courts, states, federal districts needing searching impact the price.

• Also, the number of years searched, such as 7 or 10 years look back impact the costs.

• International background checks involve more complex processes and longer turnaround times.

⚖️ Compliance and Verification

• Verified criminal hits at the courthouse level increase the cost but ensure legal compliance.

• Automated checks may be cheaper but risk errors, outdated information, and FCRA violations.

🧩 Additional Costs

• Mandatory Court, Data, Access, and 3rd Party Fees

• Adverse action automation

• Applicant self-entry platforms

These services provide better hiring experiences and legal protection but do impact cost.

Typical Background Check Price Ranges

While pricing varies by provider, here’s what you can typically expect in the employment screening industry:

✅ At EDIFY, our comprehensive packages typically range from $24 to $60+ depending on the role being filled and the level of screening needed. We provide full transparency up front — with no surprises.

Why Some Background Check Costs Are Variable:

• Court access fees vary by jurisdiction. Some counties provide digital access with only a small cost involved, while others require manual clerk assistance and may charge between $3 and $95 or more per search.

• Database “hits” must be adjudicated. If a record is found in a national or multi-jurisdictional database, the FCRA requires that it be verified at the original source — typically the county courthouse — before it can be legally reported.

• Applicant history dictates the search scope. If your applicant has lived in multiple states or counties over the last 7–10 years, additional searches may be needed to provide a complete and compliant report.

• Drug testing costs depend on site and panel type. Prices can change based on location, collection site surcharges, or the level of testing (e.g., 5-panel vs. 10-panel with opiates and oxycodone).

⚠️ Example: You may order a package for $40, but if your applicant has lived in a high-fee jurisdiction or has a database record that needs local verification, your total could rise depending on those court fees — which are legally required to ensure accuracy and compliance with the FCRA.

How EDIFY Handles This:

We believe in price transparency and client communication. While certain third-party or jurisdictional costs are out of our control, we always:

• Disclose when additional fees are possible

• Explain why they’re necessary and legally required

• Help you anticipate potential cost impacts based on applicant history

• Provide you a Fee Lookup Tool so that you can know exactly how much may be conveyed to your final invoice.

What Should a Small or Medium Sized Business Expect to Pay?

A decent rule of thumb is to determine the hourly wage of the role being filled and multiply by 2, so if a person will be making $25/hr you can expect to spend approximately $50 ($25×2) for the background check.  For small businesses hiring entry-level or mid-level employees, you should plan to spend $30–$60 per applicant for a legally compliant, accurate, and role-appropriate background check.

If you’re hiring for:

• Drivers: add an MVR and FMCSA check

• Healthcare/childcare: include FACIS and credential verifications.

• Finance/executives: layer in credit history, civil court checks, and credential verification

These additions may bring the price up, but they offer immense protection against negligent hiring and reputational risk.

How to Evaluate a Background Screening Provider

You’re not just buying a report — you’re investing in a compliance and risk management solution. Here’s what a reputable provider should offer:

✅ What to Look For:

• FCRA-compliant reports with pre-adverse and post-adverse action support

• Verified criminal hits at the originating courthouse

• Disclosure and authorization workflow built-in

• Customizable screening by job role

• Transparent, all-in pricing

• Dedicated customer support with turnaround time updates

• A Provider that will take the time to explain the process

• Provide advice on building screening packages to fit your roles, and

• Be available with live US based customer support to answer questions along the way.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Cheap Online Check vs. Professional Background Screening

Final Thoughts: The Right Background Check Is Worth the Cost

You get what you pay for. A $10-$15 instant background check might seem attractive — until you face a wrongful rejection claim, a negligent hiring lawsuit, or find yourself scrambling after a bad hire.

Spending $40–$60 now on a comprehensive background check that is accurate, verified, and compliant is a smart investment in your business’s reputation, safety, and legal protection.

Want to Know What a Background Check Will Cost for Your Business?

Let’s build a custom screening solution that fits your roles, your industry, and your budget.

📞 336-283-0237
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.edifyscreening.com