Screening Church Employees and Volunteers

Sample Packages and Prices Available through ScreenNow

Sample Screening Packages for Clergy and Paid Employees
Sample Screening Packages for Church Volunteers

Suggestion: Print this page as a reference guide

Screening church workers can be a confusing and complex process. Many different screening options are available and church leaders often feel lost on knowing what to do.

ChurchLawToday.com has developed a relationship with ScreenNow to help churches do screening online. ScreenNow is the online screening service of ChoicePoint, the nation's premeir provider of screening products.

Below is a list of searches available through ScreenNow that churches frequently use when screening applicants. Part 1 looks at packages for clergy and paid employees. Part 2 examines packages for volunteer workers.

• Key point. Each church or ministry should consult with its own legal counsel to determine what searches are most appropriate to use with specific positions.
  
  
• Tip. Before you begin screening you must establish an account for your church or ministry. ScreenNow charges a one-time fee of $50 to set up your account. That fee will be added to your first order. For more information on setting up your account, including step-by-step instructions on how to get your online screening program going, see How to get Started with Online Screening. Read it after you review the different screening options that are available below.

Part 1: Sample Screening Packages for Clergy and Paid Employees

Churches often start with a base package that includes four specific checks. Other checks are then added depending upon the individual's specific responsibilities. Let's look at the most common checks and see why churches use them.

Note: the prices listed below are subject to change. The actual price will be listed when you conduct the online search.

• Identity Verification. One important reason for using this check is to make sure the applicant has been truthful and thorough in completing the employment application. For example, this check includes a list of previous addresses. They can be checked over against those on the employment application form. If the information is not the same, it gives you a chance to probe a bit deeper. The check also includes other information such as a validation of the Social Security number, the applicant's phone number, a Nationwide Fugitive Search, and a search of the Death Master Index. This product is also called Introscan. The cost is $9.75
  
  

• National Criminal File. Today, more and more churches conduct a criminal records check to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. When abuse occurs in a church, sometimes churches are sued on the basis of negligent selection. Conducting a criminal background check helps churches to establish that they have engaged in reasonable care in the selection of clergy and paid staff members. Of course, a criminal records check can provide useful information pertaining to a broad range of responsibilities in a church. The National Criminal File check provides a comprehensive search of multiple criminal record sources, including state and county criminal record repositories, ChoicePoint proprietary record information, prison parole and release files and records from other state agencies. The cost is $25.
  
  

• County Courthouse Search. A county courthouse search is another type of criminal records search. The search is generally considered one of the most thorough criminal records checks available since it involves the actual review of county courthouse records. Many churches use this search to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse, and of an allegation of negligent selection. This check includes the search of felony and related misdemeanor records at the primary court location (Superior, Circuit, County, Common Pleas). The turn around time for this search is about 72 hours. The price is $16 and that does not include any courthouse fees that may be charged.
  
  

• State Sexual Offender Search. Churches often select this search to help reduce the risk of child sexual molestation, and to establish a basis of reasonable care in the selection of workers. This search is not available in every state. The check searches for sexual offenders who are required to register in the state in which they reside. The price is $9.00. Some states also charge access fees

• Motor Vehicle Check. Churches can be held liable for the negligent selection of drivers. The purpose of a motor vehicle check is to reduce that risk, and to promote safety in the operation of church vehicles. A motor vehicle check provides verification of a specified state operator license through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Information can include: name(s), state of issue, previous state of issue, violations, points, and current license status. The price is $7.50 which does not include state fees.

• Credit File. All churches desire to be good stewards of their financial resources. Many churches conduct a credit file on staff members with financial responsibilities to help achieve the goal of being good stewards. The credit file check provides a credit history through a National Credit Bureau. The Information obtained can include: name(s) on account, date opened, status date, high credit, amount owing, rating & history, late payments, public record amounts. The cost is $9.

Churches may also conduct the following checks depending on factors related to each individual applicant. Some of these checks churches do on their own such as a credentials verification check, reference check, employment verification check, or educational verification check. Other churches find it easier to pay the modest fees involved and transfer the responsibility to a professional company such as ScreenNow. Here are some of the additional tests that are available.

• State Criminal Database Search. This check focuses on a search of state criminal databases. Some states have more than one database. The price is $5 for each data base that is searched.

• Federal Courthouse Search. This check provides a search of felony and misdemeanor records at the federal level held at one of 93 US District courts. Information could be returned on felony and misdemeanors collected from two different courts. The following items are covered in a record search: subject name, date of search, search period, type of record, the court's jurisdiction and location, applicable charges, case number and final disposition. The cost is $16.

Note: some churches assign a staff member or committee to conduct the following checks. Other churches find it more convenient to pay the modest fees and have a professional company such as ScreenNow do these checks.

• Social Security Verification. This search provides instant validation that a Social Security number is valid in a given state and time frame. The cost is $3.

• Education Verification. Most churches collect educational background information on their employment application, but very few actually check if the information is accurate. This check provides verification of any specified level of education desired. Information returned can include the date of attendance, type of degree, and graduation date. The cost is $12.

• Employment Verification. Most churches collect information from applicants about their employment history. This check can be used to validate that information. It provides verification of any specified level of an applicant's employment history. Information returned can include date of employment, job title, salary, reason for leaving, eligibility for rehire, and overall job performance. The cost is $13.

• Credential Verification. Churches often have staff members with professional credentials such as ordination, or perhaps a state license as a counselor. This check provides verification of specified professional licensure through the appropriate state. The information returned from the search can include issuance date, license type, expiration date, disciplinary actions, and license status. The cost is $16.

• Reference Check. Churches typically collect a list of references on the employment application. This check provides verification of personal or business related references. Information returned can include years known and in what capacity, financial stability, trustworthiness, and reliability. The cost is $11.

Part 2: Sample Screening Packages for Church Volunteers

Increasingly, churches are screening volunteer workers. A key point to remember is that churches can be negligent in the selection of a volunteer just as they can with a paid employee. The focus is not simply on the person's employment status, but on his or her responsibilities.

Three areas that deserve special attention include (1) those who drive on behalf of the church as part of their volunteer responsibilities; (2) those who have financial responsibilities; and (3) those who have frequent and unsupervised access to children, youth, the developmentally disabled, senior citizens, or who serve as counselors.

Common checks for these groups are noted below.

Note: for a description of these checks, and their prices, see the information above in Part 1.

Listed below are four common checks that churches use for volunteers who have frequent and unsupervised access to children, youth, the developmentally disabled, senior citizens, or who serve in a counseling position.

• Identity Verification (see above).

• National Criminal File (see above).

• County Courthouse Search (see above).

• State Sexual Offender Search (see above).

Individuals with professional licenses may also have a credential verification check (see above).

For those who drive as part of their duties

• Motor Vehicle Check (see above).

For those with financial responsibilities

• Credit File (see above).

Churches may also choose to do other checks (see above under Additional criminal record checks and Additional checks associated with information collected on the employment application) based upon their own needs and circumstances. Each church should consult with its own legal counsel to determine what searches are most appropriate to use with specific positions.

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