Description
What Does the Professional Background Check Include?
Registered Sex Offender Search
ClearCheck searches the National Sex Offender Public Website and all state-level registries to determine whether the subject appears on any registered sex offender database in the United States. Coverage is complete at the national level across all 50 states and US territories. Records are updated monthly.
Statewide 7-Year Criminal History Search
This search pulls criminal records from the National Database for the state you specify, covering convictions and relevant criminal activity over the past 7 years. It surfaces felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, and other relevant records from the state-level national database, consistent with FCRA guidelines for employment screening.
Known Aliases Search
People do not always use the same name across all records. The Known Aliases search identifies other names the subject may have used, ensuring that criminal records, court filings, and other databases are searched under every name associated with the individual. This is a critical layer of protection that basic screening packages miss entirely.
Age Verification
This search confirms that the date of birth provided by the subject matches official records. Age verification helps employers and landlords catch falsified applications and confirms the identity of the person being screened before relying on any other records returned.
SSN Verification
SSN Verification cross-references the Social Security Number provided against the Social Security Administration’s records to confirm it is valid, was issued to the subject, and has not been flagged for fraud or misuse. This is one of the most important identity-anchoring steps in any professional background screening process.
Nationwide Criminal History Search
Unlike the statewide search, which focuses on a single state, the Nationwide Criminal History Search pulls from ClearCheck’s national criminal records database built from state Department of Corrections records, the Association of Courts, and county court data across the country. This database has been years in development and is compatible with, if not superior to, many competing databases. Coverage is complete at the national level.
20-Year Address History
This search returns a verified 20-year address history for the subject based on their SSN and personal information. Address history serves two purposes: it confirms the subject’s identity and residential background, and it identifies every state or county where additional records searches may be warranted. It is a foundational tool for thorough employment screening.
Nationwide Tax Lien Search
This search retrieves state and federal tax lien information associated with the subject’s name and SSN. Update frequency varies by population, with larger cities updated weekly and rural areas updated annually. States covered include: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, WI, and WY.
Tax lien records are particularly relevant for roles involving financial responsibility, access to company funds, or positions of fiduciary trust.
Nationwide Civil Judgment Search
This search retrieves civil judgment information associated with the subject’s name and SSN. Like the tax lien search, updates vary by population and the same states are covered. Civil judgments can reveal patterns of financial irresponsibility or legal disputes relevant to certain employment decisions.
Death Index Verification
Death Index Verification cross-references the subject’s SSN against the Social Security Administration’s Master Death Index to confirm the individual is living and that their SSN has not been associated with a deceased person. This search protects against identity fraud by flagging SSNs that have been reported to the Death Index, along with the date the death was reported and the recorded date of death.
Coverage: United States, all 50 states.
Nationwide Bankruptcy Search
This search runs through all Federal Bankruptcy Courts using the subject’s SSN, name, and state or business name. Information returned may include debtor name and address, file numbers and dates, court locations, assets and liability amounts, type of bankruptcy filed, and the attorney for the petitioner.
Coverage: United States, all Federal District Bankruptcy Courts.
What Information Is Required to Run a Professional Background Check?
Because the Professional Background Check accesses a significantly broader set of verified national databases, it requires the following from the subject:
- First and Last Name
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB)
The SSN is what unlocks access to SSN Verification, Death Index, Address History, Tax Lien, Judgement, and Bankruptcy searches. Without it, these databases cannot be queried accurately. If you need a background check that does not require an SSN, the Basic Background Check ($19.99) or Standard Background Check ($29.99) may be more appropriate for your situation.
Who Should Use the Professional Background Check?
- Employers conducting formal pre-employment screening who need to go beyond a basic criminal history check. The Professional package covers the full range of records most HR departments and hiring managers need to make a confident, compliant hiring decision. It is particularly well-suited for roles involving financial responsibility, access to sensitive information, or work in regulated industries.
- Employers running a background check on someone for employment in a position of trust, such as accounting, finance, healthcare, legal services, or roles with access to company assets. The combination of SSN Verification, Nationwide Criminal History, Tax Lien, and Bankruptcy searches gives you a layered view of the candidate that no surface-level check can match.
- Landlords and property managers screening applicants for long-term leases or high-value properties. The 20-Year Address History alone gives property managers insight into a tenant’s residential background that goes far beyond what a basic check provides.
- Organizations comparing top background screening companies who want to understand what a professional-grade search actually delivers. ClearCheck’s national criminal database, built from state DOC records, Association of Courts data, and county court records, is competitive with or better than many of the largest background screening providers in the country, at a fraction of the enterprise cost.
- Individuals getting a background check on themselves for employment who want to know exactly what a prospective employer will find before they apply. Running a professional background check on yourself is the most thorough way to review your own record, including your SSN verification status, address history, and any financial records that may appear.
- Non-profits, volunteer organizations, and regulated industries with compliance obligations or liability concerns around who they bring into their organization.
Professional Background Check Services vs. Other ClearCheck Packages
The Professional Background Check sits at the center of ClearCheck’s screening lineup, offering substantially more coverage than the Basic and Standard packages while remaining more accessible than the Elite tier.
The Basic Background Check ($19.99) covers sex offender status and a 7-year statewide criminal history. No SSN required. It is the right choice for quick, low-risk personal screening.
The Standard Background Check ($29.99) adds federal criminal records and broader national searches to the Basic package. Still no SSN required.
The Professional Background Check ($39.99) is the first tier to require an SSN, which unlocks the full suite of identity verification, financial records, address history, and nationwide criminal searches. This is the package most closely aligned with what employers mean when they refer to a formal employment background check.
The Elite Background Check ($49.99) is ClearCheck’s most comprehensive package, recommended for the highest-risk screening situations where maximum depth and coverage are required.
How to Run a Professional Background Check on ClearCheck
Getting your results is straightforward and takes only a few minutes from start to finish.
Step 1: Add the Professional Background Check to your cart and complete your purchase for $39.99. ClearCheck accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Step 2: Enter the subject’s first and last name, Social Security Number, and date of birth. These three pieces of information are required to access the full range of databases included in the Professional package.
Step 3: Receive your results through your ClearCheck account. Your report is available digitally 24/7 and can be accessed at any time after purchase.
How to Get a Background Check on Yourself for Employment
If you are preparing for a job application and want to know exactly what an employer will find, running a professional background check on yourself through ClearCheck is the most thorough option available. Enter your own name, SSN, and date of birth, complete the purchase, and receive the same report an employer would see.
This is especially valuable if you have lived in multiple states, have a common name, or simply want to verify that your SSN, address history, and financial records appear accurately in the databases employers use. Knowing your record before your employer does puts you in a stronger position during the hiring process.
Is the Professional Background Check FCRA Compliant?
ClearCheck is committed to providing background check services that align with Fair Credit Reporting Act guidelines. The 7-year criminal history window included in the Professional package is consistent with FCRA standards for most employment screening purposes. If you have specific compliance requirements for your industry or organization, we recommend consulting with your legal or HR team to confirm the appropriate screening scope for your use case.
About ClearCheck
ClearCheck’s mission is to provide accurate, reliable, and comprehensive background checks that help individuals and organizations make informed decisions. We uphold the highest ethical standards, respect individual privacy rights, and deliver results through an advanced platform backed by extensive research and national database access. Our goal is to be the trusted source for background information that enhances safety, security, and peace of mind for every client we serve.
