Volunteer Background Checks Explained
What a volunteer background check really is — the searches inside it, what they catch, and what they miss.
For: Volunteer coordinators and program administrators
What you’ll learn
- Name the searches inside a volunteer background check and what each one covers
- Explain why a "national" database is a starting point, not a complete record
- Describe why identity verification — not just a name match — drives accuracy
- Set realistic expectations for turnaround, cost, and re-screening
Screen your volunteers for $5
VolunteerBadge runs FCRA-compliant background checks for just $5 — with identity verification built in. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Create a free account →Course outline
- 1
What a background check actually is
5 min
- 2
National database vs. county records
6 min
- 3
Registries, watchlists & the SSN trace
5 min
- 4
Why identity verification is everything
6 min
- 5
Cost, turnaround & re-screening
5 min
- 6
FCRA basics for volunteer checks
5 min
- 7
Putting it together: read a report like a pro
3 min
Sources & further reading
- Federal Trade Commission — Using Consumer Reports: What Employers Need to Know
- Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) — Background Screening: Best practices & the role of primary-source verification
- Nonprofit Risk Management Center — Screening Volunteers and Staff
- U.S. Department of Justice — National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW)
This course is educational and provides general information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act and volunteer-screening best practices. It is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time — consult a qualified attorney about your organization’s specific obligations.