Vault Health

What Vault Health does

Vault Health, operating primarily as Vault Workforce Screening, is a US-based third-party administrator (TPA) of employment screening programs. Founded in 1989 as First Hospital Laboratories (originally FirstLab) and headquartered in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, the company provides background checks, drug and alcohol testing, occupational health screening, and recovery monitoring services to enterprise employers. Its primary verticals are transportation (DOT-regulated), healthcare, and aviation, with additional coverage across construction, education, energy & utilities, government, manufacturing, retail, nonprofit, and other sectors (12 verticals listed on the current website). Vault is described as one of the largest privately held TPAs of drug and alcohol testing in the US and the largest administrator of professional health monitoring services in North America.

The company's core technology platform is FirstRequest™, a proprietary SaaS system that enables electronic ordering, tracking, ETA-based result visibility, and reporting for all screening services, integrated with 30+ Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). Vault Recovery Monitoring Software (RMS) is a configurable platform for managing random testing, case management, and participant accountability for professional licensing boards, drug courts, and employer discipline programs. The company's physical infrastructure includes a network of 17,000+ nationwide collection sites and SAMHSA-certified laboratories, supported by in-house, nationally certified Medical Review Officers led by Senior MRO Dr. Suzanne Steele. Vault operates as a PBSA-accredited Consumer Reporting Agency, ensuring FCRA-compliant background check processes across all jurisdictions.

Vault generates revenue through per-test and per-screen transaction fees, recurring service contracts for program administration, and managed services for recovery monitoring. Go-to-market is sales-led, with dedicated account representative teams handling enterprise clients and inside sales supporting mid-market accounts. The company emphasizes a "no-risk pilot" approach, reporting near-100% conversion from pilot programs to full contracts, and offers free 30-minute compliance audits and bundled screening packages to prospects. On January 2, 2024, Vault was acquired by Sterling Check Corporation, and Sterling was subsequently acquired by First Advantage in a $2.2 billion transaction completed in Q1 2025; Vault now operates as part of one of the largest global employment screening platforms, as reflected by First Advantage branding now appearing on the Vault website.

Name

Vault Health

Legal name

First Hospital Laboratories, LLC

Website

https://vaulthealth.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Vault Health, operating as Vault Workforce Screening, is a US-based third-party administrator providing background checks, drug and alcohol testing, occupational health screening, and recovery monitoring services to enterprise employers across transportation, healthcare, aviation, and 12+ other regulated industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Screening Services

NAICS

Investigation and Personal Background Check Services (561611), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Consumer Credit Reporting, Collection Agencies (7320)

akta.pro primary industry

Pre-Employment Background Checks & Screening (BPAKAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Continuous Monitoring & Post-Hire Screening (BPACALAJ), Pre-Employment Screening & Aptitude Testing (BPACAMAA), Occupational Health & Pre-Employment Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAFAKAM)

Keywords

• Workforce screening services
• Background screening
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Occupational health screening
• Third-party administrator

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Third-Party Administrator (TPA) Services: Vault operates as one of the largest privately held third-party administrators (TPA) of drug and alcohol testing programs in the country. Revenue is generated through service fees for managing drug testing programs, MRO services, and occupational health screening on behalf of employer clients.
2. Background Screening / Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA): Vault acts as a PBSA-accredited Consumer Reporting Agency providing background checks compliant with FCRA. Revenue generated through per-screen or package-based fees for criminal record searches, identity verification, education/employment verification, and other background screening services.
3. Recovery Monitoring Services: Proprietary recovery monitoring services for licensed professionals, including random drug testing management and case management for professional licensing boards, drug courts, and alternative discipline programs. Billed per test, panel, and service configuration.
4. Clinical and Occupational Health Services: Occupational health screening, clinical testing, tuberculosis testing, flu vaccination clinics, and chest x-rays. Revenue generated through per-service and per-test fees, including mobile clinic services for employers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vault Workforce Screening operates as a third-party administrator and PBSA-accredited Consumer Reporting Agency providing background checks, drug and alcohol testing, occupational health screening, and recovery monitoring services to employer clients. Services are delivered through the proprietary FirstRequest™ ordering platform integrated with 30+ ATS/HRIS systems, backed by a nationwide network of 17,000+ collection sites and an in-house certified Medical Review Officer team.

Product overview

Vault Workforce Screening is a unified platform offering integrated workforce screening solutions, combining background checks, drug and alcohol testing, and occupational health services into a single provider. The core platform is FirstRequest™, a proprietary technology system that enables electronic ordering, tracking, and management of screening services. The company operates as a third-party administrator (TPA) for drug and alcohol testing programs and as a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) for background screening, serving industries including transportation, healthcare, aviation, construction, and manufacturing. Additional services include Recovery Monitoring Services for licensed professionals in recovery, and Medical Review Officer (MRO) services for reviewing drug test results.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FirstRequest™ Ordering Platform Vault's proprietary ordering and tracking platform for drug, alcohol, and occupational health screening, offering ETA-driven lab results, electronic clinic selection, configurable order management, and paperless integration with 30+ ATS and HRIS systems for employer clients.
• Background Checks Fast background screening services including criminal record searches (county, statewide, FACIS), identity verification, education and employment verification, and FCRA-compliant reporting for employer hiring decisions. Delivered as a PBSA-accredited Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA).
• Drug Screening Drug and alcohol testing services delivered through a nationwide network of collection sites and SAMHSA-certified laboratories, with urine, oral fluid, and hair testing options, TPA program management, and in-house Medical Review Officer review for non-negative results.
• Health Screening Occupational and clinical health screening services tailored to industry and role, including tuberculosis testing, flu vaccinations, chest x-rays, and other physicals required to verify that employees are medically qualified for their jobs.
• Recovery Monitoring Services Recovery monitoring technology and services for licensed professionals in substance use disorder recovery, including configurable random drug and alcohol testing, case management, automated alerts, mobile-optimized participant platform, and reporting for licensing boards, drug courts, and alternative discipline programs.
• Medical Review Officer (MRO) Services In-house Medical Review Officer services that review non-negative drug test results, contact donors directly, and provide clinical determinations and reporting with a 24-hour response time.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 100% of pilot program participants convert to full client status
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• SleepMedRXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVault is partnered with SleepMedRX to deliver comprehensive sleep apnea solutions for the transportation industry. SleepMedRX provides sleep medicine expertise while Vault provides screening and occupational health services for commercial drivers.
• American Substance Abuse Professionals (ASAPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVault's preferred partner for post-positive test guidance and 'what's next' resources for employees who test positive. ASAPA provides substance abuse professional services and referrals to treatment programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sterling Check (now part of First Advantage): Sterling acquired Vault in January 2024 and was subsequently acquired by First Advantage in a $2.2B deal. Sterling is a direct competitor in background screening and identity services and now Vault's parent — directly comparable customer base, FCRA-regulated CRA model, and enterprise screening workflows.
• HireRight: Direct competitor in employment background screening and drug testing for regulated industries (transportation in particular). HireRight is publicly listed and competes head-to-head with Vault for DOT-regulated employer accounts — Vault's Director of Sales for regulated transportation joined from HireRight after 12 years.
• Checkr: Technology-forward background screening provider competing in enterprise and gig-economy segments. While Checkr focuses on API-first delivery and tech-enabled CRA services, it competes with Vault for employer background check spend, particularly among digital-native employers.
• Accurate Background: Direct competitor in background screening with comparable enterprise sales motion and focus on regulated verticals. Operates as a CRA serving similar employer segments including transportation and healthcare.
• Certiphi Screening: Background screening provider specializing in healthcare and regulated industries, directly overlapping Vault's primary verticals (healthcare staffing, transportation). Comparable CRA model and enterprise client base.
• Universal Background Screening: Background screening company serving employers across regulated industries with comparable FCRA-compliant CRA services. Smaller scale than Vault but directly comparable service offering and customer profile.

Broad incumbents

• First Advantage: First Advantage is one of the world's largest background screening providers and is now Vault's ultimate parent post-Sterling acquisition. Overlapping CRA, drug screening, and identity services across global enterprise clients; broader portfolio and global footprint than Vault.
• Quest Diagnostics: One of the largest clinical laboratory networks in the US and a major provider of employer drug testing services. Vault's Director of Sales previously spent 27 years at Quest Diagnostics in various sales roles, illustrating the close labor market and overlap in drug testing services.
• Labcorp Drug Development (formerly LabCorp): National clinical laboratory providing employer drug testing and occupational health screening services. Competes with Vault's drug screening and occupational health TPA service line for employer specimen-collection and testing volume.

Regional players

• DriverCheck: Canadian-based DOT drug and alcohol testing and occupational health provider. Comparable service model to Vault's transportation vertical offering; operates primarily in Canada but offers relevant comparability for the regulated transportation screening workflow Vault dominates in the US.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vaulthealth
• Xx.com/VaultHealth_
• Facebookfacebook.com/vaulthealth

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vault Health