Frequently Asked Questions-Background Checks

A background check is a pre-employment screening that verifies key information about a candidate—such as identity, criminal history, employment & education history, and more. It helps organizations make confident hiring decisions and maintain a safer, more trustworthy workplace.

Background checks reduce risk by confirming that the people you hire meet your organization’s standards. They help protect your team, customers, and reputation while supporting compliance with industry and regulatory requirements.

Background check scopes can vary widely, and every organization has different needs. In general, screening programs are designed to confirm that the people you hire meet your standards for safety, trust, and compliance. The right mix of components helps protect your team, customers, and reputation while supporting your company’s policies, industry expectations, and regulatory requirements.

Most organizations choose background check components based on one or more of the following priorities:

For many employers, this is the foundation of a screening program. These checks focus on confirming identity and identifying potential safety or compliance risks.

Common examples include:

• Identity Verification

• Name and address history
   
• Criminal court records
   
• Sex offender registry searches
   
• Government watchlists
   
• Professional license verifications
   
• Motor vehicle records
   

These items help ensure you’re bringing trustworthy, qualified individuals into environments where safety and accountability matter.

Some roles require proof of qualifications before hiring. These checks verify whether a candidate has the education, credentials, or specialized training needed for the position.

Typical components include:

• Education verification
   
• Employment verification
   
• Credential or certification verification
   
• Industry-specific license validation
   

These checks help ensure your candidate is properly prepared and compliant for the responsibilities of the role.

Even when a position doesn’t require specific credentials, many organizations want to confirm the information provided by a candidate is accurate. This supports a culture of trust from the very beginning.

Common checks include:

• Employment history verification
   
• Job titles and dates of employment
   
• Education attendance and degree confirmation
   

These help validate that a candidate is presenting themselves truthfully throughout the hiring process.

MyHire can help you choose the right mix of components for your organization—so you only screen for what truly matters and get the best balance of cost, speed, and risk protection.

MyHire offers a full suite of screening services designed to support safe, compliant hiring, including:

• Name and address history - Social Security Trace

• Digital Identity Verification through Government ID with AI validation

• Criminal record searches - Local, State, Federal - Felony and Misdemeanor

• Sex-offender registry search

• Motor vehicle (driving) records (MVRs)

• Employment verification

• Education verification

• Professional license verification

• Watchlist and sanctions search
   

Your service selections can be customized based on your industry, role types, and risk profile.  We are happy to help you!

Our Digital Identity Verification makes confirming a candidate’s identity fast, accurate, and effortless. Using secure mobile technology and AI-powered validation, candidates complete the entire process electronically—no paperwork, no delays.

Here’s how it works:

1. Electronic Invitation
   The candidate receives a secure link on their mobile device to begin the verification process.
    
2. Capture Government ID
   They take clear photos of the front and back of a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID.
    
3. Selfie for Likeness Match
   The candidate takes a live self-photo using the same device.
   Our system compares the selfie to the ID images using advanced AI to confirm likeness.
    
4. Instant Identity Validation
   The images are then run through an electronic ID verification engine, typically returning a result within seconds.
    

Once the identity is verified, all background check forms automatically pre-populate with the candidate’s validated information. This reduces data-entry errors, saves time, and improves accuracy across your entire screening process.

It’s a win-win:

• Faster candidate experience
   
• Higher accuracy and fewer typos
   
• Stronger identity assurance
   
• Better compliance and reduced risk
   

This new technology streamlines the front end of your background check process—give it a try and see how much easier onboarding can be.

Many components return results instantly or within minutes. County-level criminal searches or employment/education verifications can take longer, depending on court access or response times.

Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to provide clear disclosure and obtain written authorization before running a background check. MyHire provides compliant forms and a simple digital workflow to make this easy.

Yes!  The MyHire platform is extremely user friendly.  It includes full digital and mobile capability for your candidate experience, and even for your administration of the platform.  Of course, you are in complete control, and if you prefer not to use the digital experience, that is fine as well.  

Compliance is built into every step—forms, data sources, communications, and reporting. We follow FCRA and state-specific requirements, including adverse action guidance, ensuring your hiring process remains consistent and defensible.

Yes. A pre-hire background check is essential, but it only reflects a moment in time. MyHire’s continuous criminal monitoring provides ongoing awareness of newly established criminal court records and sex-offender registrations across all 50 states, helping you reduce risk between background checks or periodic rechecks.

We offer flexible pricing tailored to your organization’s size, risk profile, and hiring needs. MyHireHR helps you design a screening package that fits your budget and your risk tolerance.

Our pricing factors in:

• Which background screening components you need (e.g., criminal record, sex offender registry, motor vehicle reports, professional license verification)
   
• The number of checks you run each month
   
• Whether you want continuous monitoring or one-time pre-hire checks
   
• Your industry-specific compliance or regulatory requirements
   

MyHire is happy to collaborate with you about your program, and are committed to providing enterprise level service with enterprise level discounts!

Absolutely. Our live, U.S. based team is here to help you understand what everything means and any questions you have along the way.  

Getting started is quick. Simply click on Sign Up at the top of the page, and you will be on the road with MyHire!