How to Modernize Your Background Screening Program in 2025

Sometimes, business processes need to evolve. This is true whether your organization has grown, shifted goals, or is just trying to meet the current business climate. Your background screening program is one area that might be ready for an update. Reassessing your current processes, tools, services, and account settings might help you find room to improve the current program.  

At the end of the day, background check quality is only as good as your background check program– and there may be settings and details that contribute more than you realize. Maintaining a screening program is more granular when you consider: 

• The evolving needs of your organization and scalability; 
• Fluctuating industry standards; 
• Tool and workflow enhancements that can save time; and 
• Much more. 

Evaluate the current state

An update to your current screening program starts with evaluating your current screening process. Compliance regulations and technology built for hiring continue to change quickly, but our research shows that 69% of employers either could not remember or have not reviewed their screening packages in years.  

Regularly reviewing your screening process and getting off to the right start for the upcoming year could help you save time and money, help you stay compliant with new laws, and align with current organizational priorities. We have compiled a list of considerations to make when updating your screening process in the new year and where to look to make sure your program is checking all the right boxes. 

Understand screening needs for industry-specific roles 

A comprehensive screening program is your first line of defense against potential risks. However, your screening program can go beyond just checking the box during the hiring process. Specific background checks for roles in your industry may help you ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.  

• Healthcare Industry: This industry often requires comprehensive criminal background checks, drug screenings, and verification of professional licenses in addition to OIG, GSA, and FACIS® searches. 

• Financial: Screening needs for the financial industry typically involve credit checks, bankruptcy searches, civil record searches, and employment history verification. 

• Transportation: Extensive driving record checks, continuous driver monitoring, and drug testing. 

• Education: Employees working in education may need extensive background checks, including criminal history in various jurisdictions, sex offender registry checks, and education verifications. 

Rethink the way you screen 

Why try to fix something that is not broken? That approach can lead to missed opportunities for added efficiency. Reconsidering your screening program in a meaningful way goes beyond legal requirements and product considerations. How you manage your screening process and the tools you use can make a major difference. These easy-to-implement workflow additions can truly speed up your entire screening process: 

• Establish pre-set packages: One of the easiest ways to ensure you get exactly what you need without having to overthink it is by setting up custom screening packages for different roles. Setting up custom screening packages for roles you regularly hire not only saves time but can go a long way in helping you remain compliant and comprehensive in your screening process – all with simply the click of a button. 
• Monitor for 24/7 updates: Periodic rescreening is a great way to ensure your employees remain qualified to perform their jobs. But annual or biannual checks can still leave you in the dark in between rescreenings. Instead, monitoring certain types of records can help you keep up with requirements or find potential areas for added risk. For instance, continuous MVR monitoring for roles that require driving on the job can do more than just save time. Continuous monitoring can keep driving safety top-of-mind, reduce the risk of unsafe drivers on the road, and boost your brand reputation.  
• Review indicators: Background check quality is only as good as your background check reporting system. A platform that leverages technology to indicate what results need extra review can simplify your risk assessment process and help you make informed decisions quickly. Features like automated highlights with color-codes based on your criteria can help you identify qualified candidates for the job while remaining consistent across the board. Setting rules for different crime levels and offenses relevant to the job can also help you quickly identify candidates who may not be the best fit for the role and determine your next steps. 

Knowing who you are working with

Just like you screen candidates to take a closer look at who you will be working with, it's good to think about the screening partner you are working with periodically. The qualities that are important to your organization and what you need from your screening partner can vary, but one thing is for sure: accuracy is at the top of the list. Accuracy can keep your organization’s reputation strong, protect internal data and employee safety, and eliminate errors that can create liability. We know that accurate information is critical for making informed decisions; that's why we are so proud to be 99.9% dispute-free. 

Accuracy is key in background checks, but finding the right screening partner to fit your needs also requires the right team and technology to set you up for success: 

• Training and Onboarding: Ensure your team is well-trained from the start. Comprehensive onboarding and ongoing training opportunities are important for maintaining efficiency and compliance. 
• Client support: Access to internal resources and an in-house team that knows your account and understands your needs can go a long way. The right support helps you avoid wasted time and keeps your screening program on track. Verified Credentials provides a dedicated account manager to fit your needs and access to our 100% in-house client service team. 
• Resources: Laws affecting employers are constantly changing. Choosing a screening partner that provides you with industry-relevant updates on what is going on in HR compliance and screening can help you stay up-to-date and compliant. 
• Technology: Technology explicitly designed for background checks and screening offers more control and customization based on your needs. Integrating your screening process into your HR dashboard can help simplify and speed up hiring from start to finish.  
• User Experience: Your candidates deserve a great hiring experience. The way you collect and manage information directly impacts hiring speed, candidate quality, and accuracy. A dedicated candidate portal can help give your candidates a great hiring experience and ensure your process is smooth, transparent, and more efficient, even when they are on the go.

The first step to better screening starts here

You may have decided that you are ready to evaluate your screening needs and ensure you are working with the right partner but are not sure where to start. From finding a screening partner with the right tools and resources to making screening results more straightforward to understand, we have compiled a comprehensive buyer guide with everything you need to know about your screening partner and screening process. 

Interested in learning more about Verified Credentials to see if we are the right fit for you? Contact us today!