Question 1

How fast are your background checks?

Accepted Answer

Results in as little as 15 minutes, with average 8-hour turnaround nationwide. This is significantly faster than the industry average of 3-5 days. We use an AI-powered platform with real-time court runner integration to achieve this speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Question 2

How do you deliver results so quickly?

Accepted Answer

We utilize an advanced AI-powered platform that connects directly to thousands of data sources. By automating 90% of the manual research process and using a nationwide network of digital court integrations, we eliminate the delays typical of traditional background providers. We combine this automation with human verification to ensure accuracy.

Question 3

What is a background check and what shows up on it?

Accepted Answer

A background check is a process of verifying a person's criminal, commercial, and financial records. While components vary by package, they typically include: national and county criminal records (felonies and misdemeanors), sex offender registry status, employment history verification, education verification, motor vehicle records (MVR), and drug screening results.

Question 4

Are your background checks FCRA compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. All our screening services are fully compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). We provide all necessary disclosures and authorization forms to help you stay compliant, and our platform is built to adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations protecting both employers and candidates.

Question 5

How is my personal data protected?

Accepted Answer

We treat data security with the highest priority. Our platform uses bank-level encryption (AES-256) for all data in transit and at rest. We store data on secure, SOC 2 Type II compliant servers, conduct regular security audits, and strictly adhere to privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Question 6

What's the difference between global and national screening?

Accepted Answer

National screening covers records within the United States. Global screening extends this coverage to over 200 countries and territories. While national checks typically complete in minutes to hours, global checks verify international criminal records, education, and employment history, often with the same fast turnaround times depending on the jurisdiction.

Question 7

Do you offer drug testing services?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer nationwide drug testing services including standard pre-employment panels (5, 9, 10-panel), DOT-compliant testing, and ongoing monitoring. We partner with major certified labs so your candidates can find a convenient testing location almost anywhere in the US.

Question 8

What is DOT compliance screening?

Accepted Answer

DOT compliance screening is a specialized set of checks required for safety-sensitive positions in the transportation industry (like truck drivers). It includes specific drug and alcohol testing, physical exams, and driving record reviews mandated by the Department of Transportation (49 CFR Part 40).

Question 9

What industries do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve a wide range of industries including Technology, Healthcare, Finance, Logistics, Construction, Staffing, Manufacturing, Retail, Nonprofits, and Education. Our platform is flexible enough to customize screening packages for the specific compliance needs of any sector.

Question 10

How much do background checks cost?

Accepted Answer

Our pricing is transparent and typically 15-30% lower than major competitors. Costs vary by the specific services needed (e.g., simple criminal check vs. full comprehensive screen). We offer volume discounts for companies running 50+ screens per year. View our Pricing page for more details.

Question 11

Can you screen employees in specific countries?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we cover over 200 countries. Whether you need to verify a degree from a university in France or a criminal record in Brazil, our global network allows us to retrieve these records quickly and compliantly.

Question 12

What is MVR (Motor Vehicle Records) checking?

Accepted Answer

An MVR check provides a report of a candidate's driving history from the state DMV. It details license status, traffic violations, accidents, suspensions, and DUI/DWI convictions. It is essential for any role that involves driving a company vehicle.

Question 13

What does education verification include?

Accepted Answer

Education verification confirms the degree, major, and dates of attendance directly with the educational institution. It helps prevent resume fraud by ensuring the candidate actually earned the credentials they claim.

Question 14

Do you screen independent contractors and gig workers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer screening specifically designed for the gig economy and independent contractors. These checks are just as fast and compliant as employee checks, helping you mitigate risk without slowing down your onboarding of contract talent.

Question 15

What's your fastest possible turnaround time?

Accepted Answer

For many standard checks like national criminal database searches and MVR checks, results can be available in as little as 15 minutes. Our average turnaround time for a complete comprehensive profile is about 8 hours.

Question 16

Can I integrate your API into our HR system?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer a modern, RESTful API that allows you to integrate background checks directly into your ATS, HRIS, or custom internal tools. This enables fully automated workflows where checks are triggered automatically when a candidate reaches a certain stage.

Question 17

Do you offer volume discounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer tiered pricing discounts for companies with higher screening volumes. If you plan to run more than 50 background checks per year, contact our sales team for a custom quote that could save you significantly.

Question 18

What's your customer support response time?

Accepted Answer

We pride ourselves on responsive support. Our US-based support team typically responds to inquiries within 1 hour during business hours. Enterprise clients also get a dedicated account manager for direct access.

Question 19

How do I dispute background check findings?

Accepted Answer

If a candidate believes their report contains inaccurate information, they have the right to file a dispute under the FCRA. We have a dedicated dispute resolution team that investigates these claims immediately—usually within days, far faster than the 30-day legal limit—to correct any errors.

Question 20

Why should I choose North Star over competitors?

Accepted Answer

Speed, accuracy, and price. We deliver results in hours, not days (avg 8 hours vs 3-5 days). We are 15-30% more affordable. And we don't cut corners on compliance or support. We are the modern, fast alternative to legacy screening giants.

Question 21

What certifications and accreditations do you have?

Accepted Answer

We are PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association) accredited and fully FCRA certified. Our data centers are SOC 2 Type II certified for security.

Question 22

Do you screen remote teams and tech startups?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are a perfect fit for remote-first companies and fast-growing tech startups. Our fully digital, paperless process means you can screen candidates anywhere in the world without them needing to visit an office.

Question 23

How much money can we save with fast results?

Accepted Answer

Every day a seat sits empty costs you money in lost productivity. By reducing your time-to-hire by 3-5 days per candidate, companies can save thousands of dollars per hire in productivity gains alone, not to mention avoiding the risk of losing top candidates to faster offers.

Question 24

What's included in your screening packages?

Accepted Answer

Our packages are modular. A typical standard package includes National Criminal Search, Sex Offender Registry, County Criminal Search (7-year residency), and SSN Trace. You can add components like MVR, Drug Testing, and Education Verification à la carte.

Question 25

How do I get started with North Star Screening?

Accepted Answer

It takes just 2 minutes. Click 'Get Your Quote', fill out the simple form, and we'll send you a personalized account setup link with pricing within 1 hour. You can start running your first check the same day.

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