Quality, Compliant Background Screening, Drug Testing | A-Check Global

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Why A-Check?

FAQ

Background and Drug Screening FAQ for Applicants

As a background screening company A-Check Global provides employers services to help them mitigate risk and make better hiring decisions. Our goal is to afford applicants a positive and professional screening experience by answering any questions, protecting the data we collect, and maintaining accuracy in our reporting.

If we have completed your background screen and you would like to receive a copy of your report or dispute information reported, please visit my A-Check.

What is the status of my background check?

To ensure process integrity and privacy, information about your in-progress report is not provided verbally by A-Check Global. For a status update on your report, please contact your recruiter or employer directly.

How can I dispute an item in my report? How long does it take?

If you believe an element of your report is inaccurate, you may request to dispute it. A-Check Global will promptly, courteously and professionally attend to your request. There is no charge for this service.

To file a dispute or obtain a copy of your report please visit my A-Check

Per FCRA guidelines, Consumer Reporting Agencies like A-Check Global have up to 30 days to complete a reinvestigation. However, we understand the urgency to both applicants and employers and thus, strive to complete reinvestigations in 3-5 days.

Consumer Dispute Process

  1. Request a copy of your report (if you do not already have one). You may request a copy of your completed report from the employer where you applied or directly from A-Check Global via my A-Check. Having a copy of your report is not required to begin the reinvestigation process, but it will facilitate identifying specific issues on the report.
  2. If you are unable to obtain a copy of your report or dispute the contents of your report using the electronic process, you may contact our compliance department at 877-345-2021 (direct: +1-951-750-1501) to discuss the specific items in dispute.
  3. Once a dispute has been filed, A-Check Global will open a dispute resolution case and promptly conduct a reinvestigation. This typically takes 3-5 days. The FCRA permits up to 30 days to complete the reinvestigation and allows for a 15 day extension, if required.
  4. Once the reinvestigation is complete, A-Check Global will contact you with the outcome. If changes are made to your report (such as removing adverse information not belonging to you), an updated copy of your report will be sent. Regardless of the outcome, we will provide a Dispute Resolution Confirmation Letter stating the outcome of the reinvestigation and the steps taken to reach the results.
  5. A-Check Global will also notify your employer of the results and will provide them an updated copy of the report, if any changes were made.
What is the consumer dispute process?

Please see "How can I dispute an item in my report" for a detailed outline of the consumer dispute process.

How can I request a copy of my background report?

You may request a copy of your completed report through the online report request form in my A-Check or by contacting our compliance department toll free at 877-345-2021 (direct: +1-951-750-1501). There is no charge for this service.

How long does it take to receive a copy of my background report once it has been requested?

Your report can be sent securely by fax or encrypted e-mail immediately. Reports can also be sent by mail. Mailed reports generally require 3-5 days for delivery.

Can you tell me when my background was requested?

Please contact your recruiter or employer directly to obtain this information.

How long does the background check process take?

Most reports are completed in 3-4 business days. Background checks including international services (criminal records searches, employment or education verification, etc. conducted outside the United States) can take significantly longer. Delays do occur in a small percentage of background checks due to factors outside of A-Check Global's control including:

Delays can occur due to the following:

  1. Incomplete or inaccurate information provided to A-Check Global during the background check request submission
  2. Unresponsive third parties (applicant, employers, references, educational institutions)
  3. Holidays: courts and schools may be closed on holidays
  4. Natural Disasters
  5. Court, educational institution or employer procedural delays.
  6. Court technical difficulties or furloughs
What can I do to expedite the process?

To expedite the background screening process, please ensure complete and accurate information is provided on your employment application and respond to any inquiries from A-Check Global promptly.

How long before convictions are removed from a court's criminal records?

Convictions are not removed from criminal records, unless convictions are expunged by the court.

How long after a trial will criminal records appear on my background report?

As an FCRA-compliant Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), A-Check Global follows criminal record reporting guidelines as established by federal and/or state law. The FCRA allows CRAs to report criminal conviction records indefinitely, and all other records (charges found not guilty, dismissed, etc.) for 7 years based on the date of the final disposition.

Many states maintain stricter regulations than the FCRA. In these situations, A-Check Global follows applicable state-specific reporting guidelines.

Will an offense I committed as a minor appear on my background?

Typically offenses committed as a minor will not appear on a background report unless the individual was tried as an adult. This is subject to applicable federal and state reporting guidelines.

I've filed a dispute on my report, how long will it take to be completed?

FCRA guidelines allow 30 business days to complete a reinvestigation with the ability to extend 15 days (for up to 45 days) when required. A-Check Global understands the urgency of a prompt reinvestigation to both you and your employer, and therefore strives to complete reinvestigations in no more than 5 days. To facilitate completing the reinvestigation process quickly, A-Check Global may contact you for additional information. Responding to these inquiries in a timely fashion can greatly speed up the reinvestigation process.

What type of investigations does a background check consist of?

Each employer has their own specific background check requirements. For specific details regarding the investigations your employer conducts, please contact them directly.

Common background check report components may include, but are not limited to:

  • Social Security Trace Report – develops name and address history
  • Criminal Record Searches – Searches at the county, state and federal level for reportable criminal history. Criminal history investigation may also include sex offender databases and Department of Homeland Security databases as well as other services related to locating or confirming criminal history.
  • Education Verification – Verifies educational history including diploma/degree earned, attendance dates, GPA, etc.
  • Employment Verification – Verifies employment history including dates of employment, title, salary, and performance
  • Credit Checks – only conducted where permissible by law. Credit checks provide a detailed financial history.
  • Drug Screening
  • Verification of eligibility to work through E-Verify and Electronic Form I-9 – these services are requested and provided post-hire.
Is a credit check always performed in a background screen?

No. Credit checks are typically conducted only for positions involving cash handling responsibility or other fiduciary duties. The use of credit checks for employment purposes is highly regulated in many states and are only completed in circumstances permitted by law.

Is my FICO credit score used as part of the background check? Is it obtained on the credit reports conducted by A-Check Global?

No. A-Check Global conducts an Employment Credit Check which does not contain credit score information.

Will the credit report A-Check Global conducts affect my credit score?

No. The credit report conducted by A-Check Global is considered a “non-financial inquiry” and does not adversely affect your credit score.

Will A-Check Global make the hiring decision? Who do I contact to see if I got the job?

A-Check Global does not make hiring decisions. Hiring decisions must be made by the employer, and A-Check Global does not play a role in the hiring decision process. To check on the status of your employment, please contact your recruiter or prospective employer directly.

I am viewing a copy of my background report. How can I tell if I am eligible for employment with the employer who requested the report?

As A-Check Global does not have a role in the hiring decision-making process, we cannot assist you with interpreting your eligibility for employment. Please contact your recruiter or prospective employer directly to obtain information on the status of your hiring eligibility.

Can I use A-Check Global to request a background check on myself, a friend, a spouse, or any other person?

No. A-Check Global provides organizations consent-based employment screening services. We do not offer background screens to the public.

How can I conduct a background check on myself or others?

A-Check Global does not offer this type of background screening service. There are companies available offering these types of services. They can often be located through a simple internet search. Please be advised these types of searches may not be compliant with the FCRA, making them unsuitable for employment screening purposes.

Drug Testing – Medical Screening FAQ for Applicants

Can you tell me the results of my drug screen?

To protect sensitive information, results are not provided verbally. Please request a copy of a completed substance abuse screening report from A-Check Global through the report request form

How long does it take for drug screen results?

Results are normally returned in 24-72 hours in most situations.

I have a medical marijuana card with a physician’s recommendation. If my drug screen indicates a positive result for marijuana, will this result be accepted as a medical exemption?

The answer is generally no. A medical marijuana card does not obligate employers to ignore a positive result on your drug screen. It may depend on specific employer policies and on the type of position you are applying for or are currently employed in, whether the position is regulated by the DOT, as well as any specific legal protections in your state of residence.

Where can I find out information on the text regulations covering 49 CFR Part 40 for safety-sensitive transportation employees?

More information can be located at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/employer

Is there a handbook or more information from the DOT on drug screening?

This handbook contains useful information for employees regarding DOT screening

What are the DOT’s random drug screening rates?

Random testing rates are regulated by the Department of Transportation. Current random testing rates can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/random-testing-rates

I have a question not addressed in A-Check Global’s FAQs. Who should I contact?

A-Check Global’s Client Relations Department can assist with most inquiries. Please feel free to contact them at 877-345-2021, during our normal business hours.

Notice: Information contained in this page is of a general informational nature and nothing herein, or on this website, should be construed as legal advice. For legal advice on questions of law, please consult a qualified attorney.