How Long Does Contractor Background Screening Take? 3 FAQs Answered

Background Screening | October 25, 2022

The contractor background screening process can often come with some questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive, such as “How long does contractor background screening take?” and more.

The processes and features of a contractor background check program should be designed to keep work environments safe while mitigating operational, legal, and reputational risks. We understand the safety of your customers is your biggest priority, so we’ve designed each facet of our contractor screening process with this in mind.

Whether you’re actively looking for a contractor compliance partner or have been working with us for some time now, we wanted to take a moment to answer some of the common questions we receive about contractor background screening programs.

Your Contractor Screening FAQs Answered:

How Long Does Contractor Background Screening Take?

The length of time it takes to receive background screening results is dependent on a number of factors. The variable with one of the greatest impacts on the background screening timeline is the search type and data sources used.

Some information can be quickly and easily accessed from online databases.

For example, a search of the National Criminal Database or the Sex Offender Registry will often return results quickly. At PlusOne Solutions, we leave no stone unturned when it comes to contractor screenings and want to ensure that speed is not the only factor in the searches, but that quality and depth of information is also considered.

We go as in-depth as possible and search from a variety of databases and primary record sources to ensure that our searches are thorough and comprehensive. This includes National Criminal Databases, statewide repositories, and even individual county courthouses.

Thorough, more robust, background screenings like this typically take several business days to return results. Our team can efficiently and accurately provide our customers with the information they need.

Why Would Background Check Results Be Delayed?

As with many parts of the background screening process, there are multiple reasons it may take longer than a few business days to receive screening results for one individual. This includes:

Record storage: Not all records are available online through digital databases. Many county courthouses keep records that may need to be retrieved manually. This process can extend the timeframe for a background check.

Number of residential addresses: When the individual being screened has resided at multiple addresses over a timeframe, this can add up to multiple jurisdictions that need to be ordered. Some of these may also have differing timeframes for returning record results.

Name changes: If the individual being screened has used different names or multiple aliases, this may put extra steps to the screening process.

Should I Add Continuous Criminal Monitoring to My Program?

Adding monitoring to your organization’s risk mitigation program provides a more proactive method to mitigate operational, legal, reputational, and financial risk across your service network between full background screenings.

Monitoring does not replace a comprehensive background check, but by providing data during this interim timeframe between background checks, you can determine if there is a more immediate situation that needs to be addressed.

Why PlusOne Solutions?

Unlike other providers, we act as a true partner to our customers in the onboarding process, and this includes tremendous support with communications to the network and onboarding the companies into the new compliance program.

Our years of experience working with contractor networks like yours make us the ideal provider for all of your contractor compliance needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Contents are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Users are reminded to seek legal counsel with respect to their obligations and use of PlusOne Solutions services.

About PlusOne Solutions

PlusOne Solutions help businesses create safer working environments and protect companies from the associated financial, legal, or reputational risks of hiring contractors and vendors. To learn more about how PlusOne Solutions can help an organization with COI management, visit https://www.PlusOneSolutions.net.