Checkr API for Automated Background Checks and Screening

Overview

Checkr provides an API-driven platform focused on automating and streamlining candidate background checks and screening processes. Established in 2014, the company targets businesses that require efficient and scalable solutions for high-volume hiring, particularly within the on-demand and gig economy sectors, as well as traditional staffing agencies. The platform's core offerings include comprehensive background checks, drug testing, identity verification, motor vehicle record checks, and employment verification. These services are delivered through a RESTful API, enabling developers to integrate screening functionality directly into their existing applicant tracking systems (ATS) or custom hiring workflows.

The Checkr platform is designed to address the complexities of compliance in candidate screening. It adheres to standards such as SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, CCPA, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This focus on regulatory compliance aims to assist organizations in mitigating legal risks associated with hiring. For example, the FCRA establishes specific requirements for obtaining consent and handling adverse action notices when using consumer reports for employment purposes, a process Checkr aims to facilitate through its platform Checkr's FCRA compliance resources. The platform provides a sandbox environment for testing integrations, allowing developers to simulate various screening scenarios before deploying to production.

Checkr's value proposition extends to reducing manual processing and accelerating time-to-hire by automating the ordering, tracking, and review of background checks. Its developer experience is supported by client libraries for Node.js, Ruby, Python, PHP, and Java, alongside comprehensive API documentation Checkr API reference documentation. Webhooks are available for real-time status updates, which can be crucial for platforms managing a large volume of candidates and needing immediate notification of check completion or status changes. This system aims to improve efficiency for companies like ride-sharing services or delivery platforms that onboard thousands of contractors monthly, a common challenge in the gig economy identified by industry analysts Gartner's analysis of gig economy trends.

Checkr is best suited for organizations that prioritize developer integration and automated workflows for candidate screening. It aims to reduce the operational overhead associated with manual background check processes, offering a scalable solution for companies experiencing rapid growth or managing dynamic workforces. The platform's capabilities are specifically tailored to support high-volume recruitment needs, helping businesses to more quickly and compliantly onboard new employees or contractors.

Key features

• Background Checks: Provides a range of background check options, including criminal records, national sex offender registry searches, and global Watchlist checks.
• Drug Testing: Integrates with a network of clinics for automated drug screening, managing the entire process from collection to results.
• Identity Verification: Offers tools to verify candidate identities, including Social Security Number (SSN) verification and identity document scanning.
• Motor Vehicle Records (MVR): Allows organizations to check driving records for candidates in roles requiring vehicle operation.
• Employment Verification: Automates the process of confirming past employment history and education credentials.
• Compliance Management: Features built-in tools and workflows to help maintain compliance with regulations such as FCRA, GDPR, and CCPA.
• Developer SDKs: Provides official client libraries for Node.js, Ruby, Python, PHP, and Java to facilitate API integration.
• Webhooks: Supports real-time notifications for status updates on background checks, enabling automated workflows.
• Sandbox Environment: Offers a testing environment for developers to build and test integrations without affecting live data.

Pricing

Checkr's pricing structure is based on the type and volume of background checks performed. The following table provides a summary of their starting tier as of 2026-05-08. For detailed and up-to-date pricing, refer to the official Checkr pricing page Checkr's current pricing plans.

Common integrations

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Integrates with major ATS platforms to embed background checks directly into the recruitment workflow.
• HRIS Platforms: Connects with Human Resources Information Systems for seamless data flow between HR and screening processes.
• Custom Applications: The RESTful API and SDKs enable integration into bespoke hiring platforms and internal tools Checkr developer documentation.
• Payroll Systems: Can connect with payroll providers to streamline onboarding once candidates are cleared.

Alternatives

• GoodHire: Offers background checks and drug testing, emphasizing ease of use for small to medium-sized businesses GoodHire's official website.
• Sterling: Provides a suite of background and identity services, often used by larger enterprises and global organizations Sterling's screening services.
• HireRight: A global provider of employment background checks, drug testing, and I-9 solutions, serving various industries HireRight's enterprise solutions.

Getting started

To begin integrating with Checkr, you can use one of their official SDKs. Below is an example of creating a basic background check request using the Node.js SDK:

const Checkr = require('checkr');

const checkr = new Checkr('YOUR_API_KEY');

async function createCandidateAndReport() {
  try {
    // Create a new candidate
    const candidate = await checkr.candidates.create({
      first_name: 'Jane',
      last_name: 'Doe',
      email: '[email protected]',
      phone_number: '+14155551234',
      dob: '1990-01-01',
      ssn: '000-00-0000', // Use a test SSN for sandbox environment
      zipcode: '94107'
    });

    console.log('Candidate created:', candidate.id);

    // Create a background report for the candidate
    const report = await checkr.reports.create({
      candidate_id: candidate.id,
      package: 'driver_pro',
      // You can specify more parameters here based on the package and desired checks
      auto_fulfill: true // Automatically starts the background check once created
    });

    console.log('Report created:', report.id);
    console.log('Report status:', report.status);

    // In a real application, you would typically listen for webhook events
    // to get updates on the report status, rather than polling.

  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating candidate or report:', error.message);
  }
}

createCandidateAndReport();

This example demonstrates how to create a candidate and then initiate a background report using the driver_pro package. In a production environment, you would replace 'YOUR_API_KEY' with your actual Checkr API key and ensure proper error handling and webhook implementation for real-time status updates.