How Much Do Background Checks Cost?

Background check pricing can vary depending on the type of position being screened, the searches included, optional add-ons, and any outside source fees charged by courts, DMVs, schools, employers, or other institutions.

EDIFY Screening offers three standard background screening packages designed to make it easier for employers to choose the right level of screening for different types of positions.

EDIFY can also create custom screening packages for employers that need a different combination of criminal searches, verifications, driving records, drug testing, or industry-specific screening.

EDIFY Core

Starting at $25.95 per applicant

EDIFY Core is our baseline screening package for employers who need a simple, cost-effective background check covering the essentials.

Best For

Low-risk and cost-conscious positions where a basic background screening program is appropriate.

Typical Use

Choose EDIFY Core when you need essential background screening without the additional county, federal, employment, or education searches included in our higher-level packages.

Included

• SSN Trace, including address history and AKA listing

• Nationwide Sex Offender Registry, including AKAs

• Security Watchlists, including AKAs

• Nationwide Criminal Database, including AKAs

Important Note About Database Searches

The Nationwide Criminal Database is a broad multi-jurisdictional search based on available database sources. It is commonly used as a pointer search to identify possible criminal records that may require additional investigation.

When a possible criminal record is identified, EDIFY may verify the record directly with the appropriate court or other original source before the information is reported.

Additional county-level searches and applicable court or access fees may apply when source verification is necessary.

Popular Add-Ons

• County Criminal Search: $12.95*

• Motor Vehicle Record: $12.95*

• 5-Panel Rapid Drug Test: $51.95

EDIFY Plus

Starting at $54.95 per applicant

EDIFY Plus is our most popular background screening package and provides deeper criminal history coverage for employers who want greater confidence in their hiring decisions.

Best For

• Client-facing positions

• Front-line employees

• Key operations roles

• Safety-sensitive front-line positions

• Positions where additional criminal history due diligence is appropriate

Typical Use

Choose EDIFY Plus when you need more than a basic database search and want broader criminal history coverage based on the applicant's recent address history.

Included

Everything included in EDIFY Core, plus:

• Unlimited County Criminal Searches*

• Federal Statewide Criminal Search*

Applicable searches are based on the applicant's 7-year address history.

Popular Add-Ons

• Education Verification: $15.95*

• Motor Vehicle Record: $12.95*

• 5-Panel Rapid Drug Test: $51.95

EDIFY Pro

Starting at $84.95 per applicant

EDIFY Pro is designed for employers screening higher-risk, regulated, safety-sensitive, management, professional, or technical positions where a more comprehensive review may be appropriate.

Best For

• Management and leadership positions

• Regulated positions

• Safety-sensitive positions

• Technical or professional positions

• Positions with access to sensitive information

• Higher-responsibility roles

Typical Use

Choose EDIFY Pro when you need broader criminal history coverage along with employment and education verification.

Included

Everything included in EDIFY Plus, plus:

• Unlimited Federal Criminal District Searches*

• Employment Verification for one employer

• Education Verification for one school or degree

Popular Add-Ons

• Motor Vehicle Record: $12.5*

• Employment Credit Report: $14.95*

• 4- to 10-Panel Laboratory Drug Test: $59.95

Are There Monthly Fees or Setup Fees?

For EDIFY's standard background screening accounts:

• No monthly minimums

• No annual commitment

• No setup fees

• Unlimited users

This makes EDIFY a flexible option for employers that may not conduct background checks every day or do not want to commit to a large monthly contract.

Why Can the Final Cost of a Background Check Vary?

The final cost of a background check can vary because certain searches require information from outside sources that charge their own access, processing, or research fees.

These fees are commonly referred to as pass-through fees.

Rather than building estimated third-party fees into every background check, EDIFY separates them when they apply so employers can more clearly see what they are paying for.

Outside fees may be charged by:

• Courts

• State or local government agencies

• Departments of Motor Vehicles

• Schools and universities

• Employers

• Licensing agencies

• Third-party verification services

• International researchers or government sources

Services That May Have Additional Fees

Examples include:

• County criminal searches

• Court access fees

• Motor Vehicle Records

• Education verifications

• Employment verifications

• International searches

• Drug testing

• Credit reports

• License and credential checks

Fees vary by jurisdiction, institution, service, and information source.

Can I Customize a Background Check Package?

Yes.

EDIFY can customize screening packages based on your:

• Job responsibilities

• Industry requirements

• Risk level

• Hiring volume

• Internal screening policy

• Contract or funding requirements

• Regulatory requirements

• Budget

Common Customization Options

Employers can add or combine services such as:

• County, statewide, and federal criminal searches

• Civil record searches

• Criminal database searches

• Employment verification

• Education verification

• Professional license verification

• Motor Vehicle Records

• Drug and alcohol testing

• Health assessments

• Credit reports

• Healthcare sanctions searches

• International screening

• Other specialty background checks

Screening programs can also be adjusted as positions, regulations, contracts, or organizational needs change.

Which Background Check Package Should I Choose?

The right package depends primarily on the responsibilities and risk associated with the position.

As a general guide:

Choose EDIFY Core

For lower-risk roles where basic screening provides an appropriate level of due diligence.

Choose EDIFY Plus

For client-facing, front-line, safety-sensitive front-line, or key operational roles where deeper criminal history coverage is helpful.

Choose EDIFY Pro

For higher-risk, regulated, safety-sensitive, management, professional, or technical positions where broader federal criminal coverage and employment or education verification may be important.

Employers with several different job types do not necessarily need to use the same background check for every employee.

EDIFY can help you create role-based screening packages so each position receives an appropriate level of screening without paying for searches that may not be necessary for that role.

Need Help Choosing a Background Check?

If you are unsure which screening package is right for your organization, an EDIFY Screening Specialist can help you compare your options.

We can recommend a screening program based on your:

• Positions being screened

• Industry

• Risk level

• Compliance requirements

• Hiring volume

• Budget

• Current hiring workflow

Talk with an EDIFY Screening Specialist or request a custom quote to get started.

Pricing Note

*Starting prices shown do not include applicable court fees, DMV fees, school or employer fees, third-party access fees, researcher fees, or other pass-through charges that may apply.

Pricing and service availability may vary based on jurisdiction, screening requirements, and information source.

Short Answer

EDIFY background checks start at $25.95 per applicant for EDIFY Core, $54.95 for EDIFY Plus, and $84.95 for EDIFY Pro.

Final pricing depends on the package selected, optional add-ons, position requirements, and any pass-through fees charged by courts, DMVs, schools, employers, or other information sources.

EDIFY standard accounts include no monthly minimums, no annual commitment, no setup fees, and unlimited users. We can also build custom or role-based screening packages for employers with different screening needs.