How do I submit a renewal background check application?

To start a renewal screen you will need to go to a URL that would have been sent to the email you have on file with us. If you do not go specifically to this URL, then you may not purchase the correct type of background screen that is required for your specific service agreement. If you are unsure if you received the email or need help in obtaining the URL, please call us 877-943-0100 and we will help you through the process.

Please note, that you will want to complete the renewal screenings application in advance of the expiration of your current screen to avoid a gap in compliance and reporting.

Is there any need for re-screening after someone has already passed a previous background check?

A background screen is valid for two years and we recommend re-screening afterward. However, we also offer Continuous Criminal Monitoring, which is an ongoing monitoring service that takes a proactive approach in-between screening dates. Depending on the industry, type of positions being screened for, and the role of background checks within the organization, a process for ongoing or periodic screening may be a suitable approach.

Do you only do screening for contractor networks?

No, we can conduct background screening for organizations in nearly every industry. What’s more important is that we always take the time to understand your needs before proposing a solution. Background screens can be quite different from company to company and we want you to know exactly what you are getting so you will have the confidence that the program is working as you expect.

What does a background check consist of?

A background check is the process of investigating an individual’s background based on criteria determined by their employer (prospective or current) or Customer contracted partner. This check may include employment, criminal records, motor vehicle and license record checks. Each organization requesting the background should understand what specific searches are being requested and share that effectively with their applicants.

Is there a national criminal check that can be done in the US?

There are some proprietary databases of criminal histories which collect information on a nationwide basis from many different sources and these are often called a “national criminal database.” These databases contain criminal, arrest, warrant, sex offender and other global watches, sanctions and government listings. These are not considered primary source records and the content of such databases vary across consumer reporting agencies. There is no actual publicly maintained “national” criminal database that covers all jurisdictions. Further, their content is often known to be incomplete or not as up to date as a primary record search. In compliance with the FCRA, we do send notices when information is being reported from such a database and we also verify the information at the primary source before reporting any details to Customers.

What are the differences between state, federal and county searches?

  • County searches are very detailed and specific felony and misdemeanor searches in a courthouse of the county where the applicant currently, or previously, resided. While a national criminal database can be “an inch deep and a mile wide”, a county courthouse search is “a mile deep and an inch wide.”
  • A federal criminal search covers federal crimes that are federally prosecuted and typically not included in either county or statewide criminal checks. This search identifies possible convictions heard in the US District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts and Courts of Appeals, as well as Supreme Court and three National Courts. Federal conviction records are often returned with limited identifiers such as “Name Match Only” so it may be more difficult to match to the applicant when date of birth, address, or SSN are not reported.
  • State repository databases are meant to serve as an aggregation of county-level records within a given state. Unfortunately, these are normally less complete and not all states offer a comprehensive search. By comprehensive, we are looking for all felony and misdemeanor information for at least a seven-year period. The state repositories rely on the various agencies to report information and may not include as much detail as the county level searches as not all courts participate and not all information from participating counties is reported in real-time.

Is there a difference between background checks for contractors vs. employees?


Yes, there is a difference between background screening for a contractor rather than an employee.

The PlusOne Solutions screening program is unique in that our contractor program works directly with the Customer, as well as the contract holder (i.e. network company) to ensure that the Customer needs are met.

This is different than an employee screening program in that the company still maintains the responsibility for the hire and termination of the actual employee (or contractor) but the Customer will establish the criteria for who can work on their contracts. The contractor screening is this model will only determine if someone is eligible to work on the Customer contract, not actual employment. All employment decisions remain the responsibility of the network company.

How does the contractor background screening program work?


Our background check program is unique in that our contractor program works directly with the Customer, as well as the contract holder (i.e. network company), to ensure that the Customer needs are met.

This is different than an employee screening program because the company still maintains the responsibility for the hire and termination of the actual employee (or contractor) but the Customer will establish the criteria for who can work on their contracts. By working for our Customers, with the contract holder, we ensure that the contract requirements related to screening, insurance, and other needs are met and that companies are compliant with those requirements. Additionally, the program generally includes a two-year background rescreen schedule to ensure that compliance is maintained over time. Typical employment decisions may be based on different factors, may not include a rescreen component and may include different search types.