Using Checkr for background checks
Background checks help you stay compliant with various local, state, and federal compliance regulations. Checkr makes the process easy and has specific packages for faith-based communities. This seamlessly integrated background check process happens from within Planning Center.
To access background checks, you must have background check permissions.
Tip
If you use a different provider or already have background checks on people in your database, you can manually track background checks instead of initiating a new check through Checkr.
Order a background check
Once you've enabled Checkr in Account settings, you can request a single background check or multiple background checks simultaneously.
If the person doesn't have an email address, they will not receive the email to give permission for their background check. Enter their email address in their profile, and then run their background check.
Warning
If you initiate a background check in Checkr, it will not appear in People. To track background checks in People, you must initiate them in People.
For an individual
Select the People page from the top navigation.
Select the person's name from the list.
Select the badge/shield icon in the top right corner.
Choose Order background check with Checkr from the dropdown.
(Optional) If you have a custom package with Checkr or are using Account Hierarchy, you'll see an option to assign the background check to a node.
Choose a package from Checkr in the Initiate background check popup.
Select the location the person will be primarily working or volunteering at using the dropdown in the Work location section of the popup.
Select Next.
Verify the email address listed.
Select Initiate Check to send an email with the next step.
Tip
There isn't a way to cancel a background check in People, but Checkr only charges for completed background checks so there is no cost for sending out invites.
Checkr sends a notification each day for seven days or until the application is completed.
For multiple people
Select the Dashboards page from the top navigation.
Select the Background checks tab.
Select New background check in the top right.
Search for the people you'd like to run a background check on and select their name from the dropdown to add them to the list.
Once everyone is in the list, select Next.
Choose a package from Checkr in the Start background check popup.
Select the location the person will be primarily working or volunteering at using the dropdown in the Work location section of the popup.
Select Next.
Verify the email addresses listed.
Select Initiate Checks to send emails with the next step.
Tip
There isn't a way to cancel a background check in People, but Checkr only charges for completed background checks so there is no cost for sending out invites.
Checkr sends a notification each day for seven days or until the application is completed.
If you receive an "Invitation couldn't be created" error that prohibits you from running a background check, it's likely because your Checkr account has been suspended. To lift the suspension, ensure your invoices are fully paid and have no other issues.
If the invoices are all listed as Paid , but you're still getting an error message, email Checkr's Accounts Receivable with the following information:
Subject: Account Suspended
Body: Our Checkr account has been suspended, though all our invoices show as Paid. If any are not paid, please send me a link to pay them.
Include the following:
Company Name
URI Name
Billing Email
Technical contact email
A screenshot of your Invoice page with the invoices listed as Paid
Once you have resolved any account issues with Checkr, initiate the background check again.
Background check results
After the person verifies from their email, Checkr will begin their background check, searching various databases and courthouse records to screen your candidate. This usually takes a few business days but could take up to a few weeks, depending on what courts are being searched and their search request process times.
You can view the Checkr results on a person's profile. Your ability to view results depends on your background check permissions.
Select the People page from the top navigation.
Select the person's name from the list.
Select the green badge/shield icon in the top right corner.
Choose Complete [status] — View details from the dropdown.
Select Checkr in the Source section of the View details popup.
Once Checkr has completed its search, it compiles a report with the results and marks the report as Clear, Needs Review, or Suspended.
Checkr found nothing out of the ordinary for this person. Their background check status will be automatically set to clear.
Checkr does not make any judgment calls about who is qualified to serve in your ministry. They will only provide information about anything that appears on the person's records so you can make an informed decision. Therefore, a report will be marked Needs Review if anything is found in the person's records, regardless of the severity of what is found.
You can see any reports marked as Needs review by filtering on the Background checks tab:
Select the Dashboards page from the top navigation.
Select the Background checks tab.
Select Filter in the top left.
Select the ➕ plus icon to the right of Status.
Choose Needs review from the dropdown.
If the report is marked Needs Review, the contact person for Checkr receives an email, and they can view the report in Checkr to determine how to proceed.
Engage
If you decide to hire or allow the person to volunteer, despite what was found in their background check, select Engage in Checkr. Their background check status is cleared and set to Engaged in Planning Center.
Adverse actions
If you decide not to proceed with a person because of information in their background check, read about the process by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that the person be given a copy of their background check report and an opportunity to dispute anything in it.
Checkr handles disclosures and disputes for you. In the Checkr interface, select Pre-Adverse Action from the report to initiate the adverse action process.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), these requirements apply to volunteers and job applicants.
If a background check comes back as suspended, this means that Checkr was unable to complete the background check. A Checkr Admin will need to log in to Checkr and take steps to resolve a suspended report.