F
About
Sterling AI Background (now part of First Advantage) is an enterprise-grade background screening and identity verification platform built for modern HR and hiring teams. It enables organizations to make informed, compliant hiring decisions through a broad suite of services including criminal background checks, civil court records, social security number traces, credit and lien checks, digital identity verification, drug and occupational health screening, motor vehicle records, social media screening, and global checks. The platform supports the full hiring lifecycle — from pre-hire screening to post-hire monitoring — covering E-Verify, Form I-9 compliance, and continuous criminal and drug monitoring for existing employees. Sterling's technology stack includes a robust API for developer integrations, compliance tools, and seamless connections with leading ATS and HRIS platforms. With a global reach spanning the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Germany, and more, Sterling is tailored for industries including healthcare, financial services, technology, staffing, retail, transportation, and government. Candidate and client experience tools ensure a smooth, transparent screening process for all parties. Its reports and analytics capabilities give HR teams actionable insights into their screening programs. Sterling serves businesses of all sizes — from franchises and gig economy platforms to large enterprises — providing a customizable, scalable screening solution with deep compliance expertise and data-driven intelligence.
Key Features
- Criminal & Civil Background Checks: Access comprehensive criminal record checks, civil court records, and SSN traces to make confident, informed hiring decisions.
- Digital Identity Verification: Protect your organization against identity fraud and inaccurate candidate data with advanced digital identity tools.
- Global Screening: Scale your screening program internationally across 200+ countries, supporting global hiring with local compliance expertise.
- Drug & Occupational Health Screening: Conduct pre-hire and post-hire drug testing, medical license verification, and occupational health checks across your workforce.
- API & ATS Integrations: Connect Sterling directly to your existing HR tech stack via a robust API and pre-built integrations with leading ATS and HRIS platforms.
Use Cases
- HR teams conducting pre-employment criminal background checks and identity verification before making a hire
- Global enterprises standardizing and scaling background screening programs across multiple countries and regions
- Healthcare and financial services organizations maintaining ongoing post-hire compliance monitoring for licensed professionals
- Staffing agencies and gig economy platforms rapidly screening large volumes of contingent workers with speed and accuracy
- Developers integrating background check capabilities into custom HR or onboarding applications using the Sterling API
Pros
- Comprehensive Service Suite: Covers every stage of the hiring lifecycle — pre-hire screening, identity verification, and post-hire continuous monitoring — all in one platform.
- Global Reach with Local Compliance: Supports hiring across 200+ countries with built-in compliance tools tailored to regional regulations.
- Seamless Integrations: Connects with major ATS, HRIS, and HR tech platforms, plus a developer-friendly API for custom workflows.
- Industry-Specific Customization: Screening programs are customizable for 15+ industries including healthcare, financial services, transportation, and gig economy.
Cons
- Enterprise-Focused Pricing: Pricing is not publicly listed and is geared toward mid-to-large businesses, which may make it less accessible for small teams or individuals.
- Setup and Integration Complexity: Leveraging the full platform — including API integrations and custom workflows — may require technical resources and onboarding time.
- Not a Self-Serve Platform: Unlike lightweight background check tools, Sterling requires a business account and sales engagement to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of background checks does Sterling offer?
Sterling offers criminal record checks, civil court records, SSN traces, credit and lien checks, digital identity verification, drug and occupational health screening, motor vehicle records, social media screening, global checks, and more.
Does Sterling support international background checks?
Yes. Sterling provides global screening services across 200+ countries and regions, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Germany, and more — with local compliance expertise in each market.
Can Sterling integrate with my existing HR or ATS platform?
Yes. Sterling offers a robust API and pre-built integrations with leading Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), enabling seamless embedding into your existing hiring workflow.
Does Sterling support post-hire monitoring?
Yes. In addition to pre-hire screening, Sterling provides post-hire continuous monitoring including criminal record monitoring, drug testing, medical license verification, motor vehicle record monitoring, and E-Verify / Form I-9 compliance.
Which industries does Sterling serve?
Sterling serves 15+ industries including healthcare, financial services, technology, staffing, retail, transportation, government, education, construction, gig economy, hospitality, and more — with customized screening programs for each.
