Background checks by ClearCompany help you confirm that new hires are qualified and aligned with the role. This article answers common questions about ClearCo's background check services.
In this article:
General Information
Drug Screening
Notifications and Communications
Verifications and Compliance
Credit Checks
Additional Services
Quotes and Custom Packages
Additional Resources
Access to the Background Checks by ClearCompany Portal
You can access the Background Checks portal directly from ClearCo using single sign-on (SSO).
To open the portal: Go to Tools in ClearCo and select Background Checks.
From the portal, you can:
- Order background checks outside of the ClearCo ATS
- Process promotions
- Submit batch orders
- Check the detailed status
- Run reports
- Manage adverse actions
If you do not have permission to access the portal, contact backgroundchecks@clearcompany.com.
You can also access the portal directly: https://allclearscreening.instascreen.net.
General Information
- How does ClearCo have a faster Background Check turnaround time than other background check providers?
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ClearCo has in-house researchers who are FCRA certified for quick results and adjudications. ClearCo has also integrated or partnered with county systems for quick reporting.
Standard criminal background checks take an average of 1–3 business days to complete.
Turnaround time may vary based on:
- The candidate’s residence history
- The county or state’s record retrieval process
- Whether records are accessed electronically or manually
Verification checks (such as employment, education, or references) typically take 1–5 business days, depending on how quickly the employer, school, or reference responds.
- What does ClearCo offer for non-custom packages and pricing?
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Standard background checks go back seven years. Below are our standard packages.
- Standard
- Driver
- Executive
Refer to the pricing chart for details. (click image to enlarge)
- Can ClearCo run a background check for someone not in ClearCo?
Yes, ClearCo can run a background check for candidates who were not sourced through ClearCo, including candidates from career fairs or external referrals directly from our background check portal.
- How far back do background checks go?
The standard lookback period is seven years. ClearCo can go back further per client request, and if state regulations allow.
- Can ClearCo run annual background checks for employees?
Yes, ClearCo can run annual background checks in batches for all employees. For an Annual Batch, ClearCo also offers monthly or periodic screenings.
- Are there additional applicable access fees?
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Yes, applicable access fees may apply based on the search type. Some counties and states require a fee to pull records. If your candidate has resided in one of those counties, we will pass through the fee to pull the records.
Some schools and employers utilize a third party to store student/employee records, such as The Work Number or The National Student Clearinghouse. If our verifications team is directed to the third party, we will use the third-party source to pull records and pass through the fee.
- How is candidate data secured and protected?
ClearCo uses a secure portal with multi-factor authentication, security and privacy policies, and PII masking. Review related privacy policies from ClearCompany, TazWorks, and MeridianLink.
- What forms does a candidate sign before a background check?
Candidates electronically sign authorization forms and all required state and federal FCRA-compliant forms. For information about the candidate experience, refer to: Background Checks by ClearCompany: Candidate Experience.
- Minor Authorization Forms for candidates under 18: What They Are?
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If the candidate is under 18, most background check processes require a completed Minor Authorization Form before screening can begin. A parent or legal guardian must review and sign this form before we can proceed.
Why this form is required: The Minor Authorization Form gives permission to complete a background check for a candidate under 18.
To be valid:
- The form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
- A sibling, coach, teacher, or other adult cannot sign unless they are your legal guardian.
Most forms are reviewed within 1–2 business days. If information is missing, such as a signature or date, we will contact the candidates with the next steps.
- Can I request a rush on a background check or specific components?
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Yes. If timing is critical, you can request a rush for a background check or specific search components. To request a rush: Reply in the applicant portal under client notes or email with the order ID and the specific component(s) you would like expedited.
When a rush is requested, we will contact the applicable source to request faster processing where possible.
Please note that turnaround times for many searches, especially court searches, depend on external sources. ClearCompany cannot override court processes, court closures, legal waiting periods, or clerk processing timelines, and final timing is ultimately dependent on when results are returned by the source.
We will confirm receipt of the rush request and share any updated estimated timelines when available. If a rush is not possible, we will provide the best available status update and current estimated turnaround time.
Drug Screening
- What network is used for drug screening?
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By default, ClearCo uses the Alere eScreen network, which includes thousands of clinic locations nationwide. This network includes hospitals, urgent care, and clinics, such as Concentra, MedExpress, Quest, and LabCorp.
To request site matches, email backgroundchecks@clearcompany.com with a list of zip codes.
- Does ClearCo run Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant drug screens?
Yes, ClearCo offers DOT Drug Screens.
- Can drug tests be scheduled outside of eScreen?
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Yes. We can set up a Single Case Agreement (SCA) with a clinic outside the standard eScreen network if you provide a contact. To request adding a clinic to the network, provide:
- eScreen account number
- Company name and address
- Services needed
- Estimated monthly volume
- Clinic name, contact, address, phone, and email
- What is a Single Case Agreement (SCA) setup?
An SCA setup allows health screening with a clinic outside the standard eScreen network using a one-time agreement.
- Can donors schedule their own drug tests?
Yes, we have the ability to allow donors to schedule their own drug screening. However, ClearCo recommends allowing our team to schedule tests to avoid delays. Donors can request location changes by emailing a ZIP code.
- Do eScreen donors receive their test results?
No. Donors typically leave after providing a sample. Results may take up to 24 hours, and donors only receive results if they request a copy.
- Why can’t drug tests be scheduled for Workers’ Compensation?
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ClearCo can only schedule drug tests for employment purposes, not Workers’ Compensation, due to permissible purpose limitations. Approved reasons include:
- Pre-employment
- Periodic Medical
- Followup
- Random
- Promotion
- Transfer
- Post Accident
- Return to Duty
- Reasonable Suspicion/Cause
- Diversion
- Can drug screening be used for current employees?
Yes. Drug screening can be used for employment-related reasons such as random, post-accident, follow-up, or reasonable suspicion testing.
Notifications and Communication
- Does ClearCo give automated reminders for candidates to fill out their background check requests?
Yes, candidates are sent reminders every 24 hours.
- Does the person who launched the background check get notified once the background check is completed?
By default, the notifications are sent to the general email that is associated with the account. If you would like to make any changes, reach out to Background Checks by ClearCompany support.
- What email address sends authorization and ePassport requests to applicants?
Authorization and ePassport requests are sent from automation@instascreen.net.
- What email address sends drug test notifications?
When drug testing is scheduled through eScreen, emails are sent from donotreply@eScreen.com. If testing uses a Single Case Agreement (SCA), notifications are sent through the secure applicant portal or directly by the background checks team.
- Can notification settings be customized?
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Yes. You can customize:
- Email notification language
- Drug screen expiration alerts
- Completion notifications
- Designated recipients: when a candidate completes authorization, when a report is complete, drug screen notifications, etc.
Contact the background check team to review or update your settings.
- If a new hire does not complete drug testing within five days, is the ClearCo background check admin notified?
The client requestor receives notifications, and notifications can be configured to alert a specific person or email when a drug screen expires.
- When an applicant responds to a Pre-Adverse Action (Pre-AA) notice, where do the responses go?
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A Pre-Adverse Action notice is a system-generated notification, so applicants cannot respond directly within the message.
If an applicant disputes the background check results, the dispute is typically sent to backgroundchecks@clearcompany.com.
The background check team will then notify the person who initiated the Pre-Adverse Action notice.
Verifications and Compliance
- Is there an adverse action solution available?
Yes, this feature is available in the Background Check portal, where you can customize, send, and track adverse action letters. To learn more, refer to this article: Handling Adverse Events and Candidate Disputes for Background Checks by ClearCompany.
- How many attempts are made for education and employment verifications?
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At least one attempt per day for five consecutive days is made.
If unsuccessful, supporting documents from the candidate may be requested.
If unsuccessful after the third day, the background checks team will reach out to the applicant to request supporting documents such as W2s, offer letters, or pay stubs, while simultaneously continuing attempts to contact the employer.
- Who is responsible for collecting documents if verifications fail?
ClearCo requests documents directly from the candidate. If configured, additional attempts can be made before closing the verification.
- Are third-party employment verification fees passed through?
Yes. If a third-party service is required, ClearCo covers the fee first and passes it through to your company unless you opt out.
- Does ClearCo send compliance updates?
Yes, the background check team sends and posts compliance updates as they are received.
Credit Checks
- What is an extended fraud alert?
An extended fraud alert is a seven-year alert for identity theft victims. It requires identity verification, such as a photo ID and Social Security (SSN) card, before a credit check can be completed.
- Why can't ClearCo run credit checks on minors?
Credit is not issued to minors. ClearCo won't have a credit report; therefore, it cannot run a background check on a minor.
- What information is included in a credit check, and does it affect the credit score?
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Credit checks use a soft inquiry, which does not affect a credit score.
A soft inquiry allows the background checks team to review existing credit accounts and their status, such as mortgages, loans, and car payments.
Additional Services
- Is there a way clients can add their own forms and have them signed before a background check is started?
Yes, ClearCo can customize the form set. Please reach out to backgroundchecks@clearcompany.com with the form set you would like added.
- Does the federal court search check for serial litigators or serial workers' comp filers?
Yes, federal civil record searches or county civil record searches are available.
- Are military records included in standard background checks?
Military records are often sealed and not public unless tried in county or state courts. Standard checks do not search UCMJ records or negative evaluations.
- Can military service be verified?
Yes. ClearCo can verify military service using a DD214 as an employment verification when the candidate lists military employment.
- Does ClearCo offer credit checks? Reference Checks? Batch Uploading? Monthly Monitoring Services?
- Credit Checks: Yes, but this is done as a one-time onsite inspection (can be done virtually).
- Reference Checks: Yes, questions can be customized, or ClearCo can use our template questions. ClearCo can complete reference requests via email and phone.
- Batch Uploading: Yes, this can be done via the Background Checks portal.
- Monthly Monitoring Services: Yes, ClearCo offers criminal monthly monitoring, MVR monthly monitoring, and health sanction monitoring.
- Does ClearCo offer physical testing (fit for duty) services at all, or can ClearCo facilitate this?
Yes, physical testing is available.
- Can background checks be conducted for eviction history?
Yes, eviction history reports are available.
- Can background checks be conducted in Puerto Rico?
Yes, they can be conducted in Puerto Rico.
- Does ClearCo have the ability to search social media platforms? Can a social media check be used as a stand-alone package?
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Yes, ClearCo offers different packages that have the option to run social media searches. Alternatively, the background check team can create a stand-alone package. Turnaround time is typically 5-10 business days to create this package.
Social media screening provides a review of a candidate’s publicly available online presence across major platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, and other publicly accessible internet sources.
The screening is designed to identify potential risk indicators relevant to workplace safety, professionalism, and brand protection, including, but not limited to, hate speech, discrimination, racism, threats or violence, illegal drug activity, gang affiliation, or other behavior that may raise concerns for regulated or patient-facing environments.
To ensure fairness and compliance, the process excludes protected class information and focuses solely on job-related, adverse content that could present reputational or safety risks. Findings are delivered in a standardized, FCRA-compliant report that integrates seamlessly into the hiring workflow.
- International Education Verifications
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International education verifications are available in most countries.
Education checks are supported worldwide except for the following countries:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus
- Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France
- Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy
- Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta
- Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania
- Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
- Education verifications in Mexico and Canada are generally supported unless the school has closed.
- Do we offer sanctions as part of our background checks?
Yes, we offer global sanctions and exclusion searches. Check out this document.
- Countries eligible for international background checks
We can run background checks on all countries outside the EU. In the following countries, we can NOT run a check-in: (This is subject to change; we are working on GFPR compliance to have the capability to complete background checks in the EU.)
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus
- Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France
- Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy
- Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands
- Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia
- Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Iceland
- Liechtenstein, Norway
Quotes and Custom Packages
Quotes are available for standard and custom screening packages.
To request a quote, provide the following information:
- Types of screens currently in use
- Average monthly volume and cost
- Any issues with the current screening solution
Custom packages are available and can be tailored to your needs. Once details are received, a quote and service overview are provided.
Reference checks are offered by phone, email, and text. Standard or customized questions are available.
Contact Information
If you have any other questions, please reach out to your Background Checks team at backgroundchecks@clearcompany.com. They can also be reached at:
- All Clear Screening Phone: 888-882-1912
- Fax Number: 469-575-4562
Additional Resources
Background Checks by ClearCompany: Motor Vehicle Record Checks Overview
Background Checks by ClearCompany: Drug Check Overview
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