Background Check Services

ISTC’s BCG2 Background Screening Process

ISTC’s BCG2 is a comprehensive background screening service designed as an industry standard for contractor security screening. It helps employers verify the criminal history, identity, and other relevant details of potential hires to reduce workplace risks, meet owner facility requirements, and ensure compliance in high-stakes industrial environments. The service is particularly used in safety-sensitive industries to screen contractors before granting site access.

ISTC’s Background Check Graded 2.0 (BCG2) process is administered through third-party vendors (First Advantage and S2Verify) and integrated with ISTC’s LINK system for ordering and management. It’s designed for efficiency, with average account setup in 24 hours. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Enrollment and Ordering:

- Employers must set up a background screening account with ISTC by contacting the Background Department (backgrounds@istc.net).
- Orders are placed via the LINK platform. Detailed instructions are available in ISTC’s guide found here.
- Applicants provide consent and necessary documentation (e.g., ID for identity verification).

Screening Components

The core Background Graded 2.0 package conducts a multi-layered search across various databases. It includes:

Component	Description
All Known Address Search	Traces residential history to identify jurisdictions for further checks.
County Criminal Report	Searches county-level records for criminal history.
Federal Criminal Report	Checks federal databases for crimes like fraud or interstate offenses.
Motor Vehicle Report	Reviews driving records for violations or suspensions (relevant for roles involving vehicles).
Nation Scan	A national-level scan for broader criminal hits.
Patriot Act Search	Screens against terrorist watchlists under the USA PATRIOT Act.
Prohibited Parties Search	Checks global sanctions lists (e.g., for denied parties).
Social Security Verification	Validates SSN and traces for identity fraud.

À La Carte Add-Ons:

For customized needs, additional searches can be ordered, such as

- County Criminal Search
- Education/employment verification
- Federal/International criminal searches
- Workers’ compensation history
- Global Sanctions Search
- Motor Vehicle Reports
- National Criminal File
- Reference Check
- Social Security Verification
- Statewide Criminal Search

Grading System

After searches, results are graded on an eight-level scale (0-7) based on severity:

Grade	Meaning
00	Clear record (no issues found).
01-02	Non-Violent Misdemeanor offenses (minor infractions).
03-06	Violent Misdemeanors and Felony offenses (escalating in severity).
07	Hit on Patriot Act or prohibited parties search (e.g., terrorism-related).

A final package grade is assigned after all jurisdictional searches. Employers use this matrix to decide on eligibility, often aligned with site-specific policies.

Results and Access

- Results are not viewed in LINK but on the vendor’s website.
- Site inspection may be required for some vendors (e.g., First Advantage), but not others (e.g., S2Verify).
- Turnaround time varies but the average turn around time is currently at 1.12 business day

Enrollment and Ordering

- Employers must set up a background screening account with ISTC by contacting the Background Department (backgrounds@istc.net) and register with a background vendor, instructions here.
- Orders are placed via the LINK platform. Detailed instructions are available in ISTC’s guide found here.
- Applicants provide consent and necessary documentation (e.g., ID for identity verification).

Please use the log in links below to access your preferred vendor’s website.

First Advantage Login

S2VERIFY Login

Approved Vendors and Pricing:

Swipe left and right to scroll table.
Vendor	Price Per Person	Avg. Account Setup Time	Online Enrollment	Site Inspection
First Advantage	$78.15	24 Hours	Yes	Not Required
S2Verify	$63.45	24 Hours	Yes	Not Required

Benefits (The Good) Associated with BCG2

BCG2 is widely adopted in industrial sectors due to its thoroughness and alignment with safety protocols. Key advantages include:

Enhanced Workplace Safety: By identifying criminal history, driving violations, or watchlist hits, it helps prevent incidents in high-risk environments like refineries or offshore sites, reducing liability for employers.
Compliance and Standardization: Meets requirements of facilities owners (e.g., petrochemical plants), ensuring contractors can access sites without delays. It’s recognized as an “industry standard,” with high volumes of screenings indicating trust and effectiveness.
Comprehensive Coverage: Multi-database searches provide a broad view, including federal and international elements, which is more robust than basic checks.
Efficiency for Employers: Graded results simplify decision-making, and integration with vendors and allows for quick processing. In general background screening contexts, such services protect assets, verify qualifications, and promote fair hiring.

Dates of Inception and Evolution

ISTC Inception: ISTC was established in 1991 as a leading educational organization dedicated to safety training and compliance services for industrial workplaces.
Background Screening Services: While ISTC’s core operations began in 1991, background screening evolved from an earlier “Safety Council Basic Package.” Key milestones include:
- 2003: Establishing a background screening program to support the petrochemical and oil industry.
- 2005: Introduction of grading (adjudication) for criminal background results and the addition of Patriot Act search results to enhance evaluation.
- 2012: Major upgrades to create the BCG2 version, including expanded identity authentication, additional criminal searches (e.g., federal and comprehensive national databases), and other enhancements to make it more robust. These developments reflect ISTC’s adaptation to growing industry needs for thorough vetting in safety-critical roles.