National Background Check

What National Background Check does

National Background Check, Inc. (NBCI), founded in 1999 and headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, is an FBI-approved Channeling Agency and one of the longest-standing fingerprint service organizations for civilian purposes in the United States. The company provides electronic fingerprint-based background checks — including expedited FBI Identity History Summary Checks, Ohio BCI checks, Florida Level 2 Livescan, FINRA-compliant broker-dealer checks, and authorized-recipient channeling for entities such as federally assisted housing, tribal organizations, and federally chartered financial institutions — alongside drug screening, mobile fingerprinting, fingerprint card scanning, apostille services, and Appliedify applicant tracking software. Customers span employers across verticals (healthcare, childcare, education, financial services, transportation/logistics, property management) and individuals seeking personal criminal-history reviews.

NBCI's core technology stack is built on Live Scan electronic fingerprinting using Safeprintscan equipment, which captures and transmits fingerprints electronically to eliminate smudged readings common with ink processing. The proprietary National WebCheck (NWC) system captures and submits electronic fingerprinting data to Ohio BCI and the FBI, supported by the Web Results Portal (automated upload, email notifications) and Electronic Departmental Orders (eDO) for online results delivery to applicants and authorized recipients. Card scanning services process mailed FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards for Ohio BCI and Florida FDLE submissions. Live Scan equipment is supplied through partner Innovative Biometric Systems.

NBCI operates as a 100% women-owned private corporation with no disclosed institutional funding, generating the majority of revenue through transaction fees on a per-background-check basis ($20–$105.95 depending on service), plus modest recurring subscription revenue from Appliedify ATS licensing ($100/month) and job posting ($30/month per position). Distribution relies on a multi-channel GTM: a network of approximately 800 Independent Service Provider (ISP) locations nationwide (with equipment loaned to partners in existing businesses), direct-to-consumer ordering through the company website, Direct Bill enterprise accounts, a reseller program for entrepreneurs, and on-site mobile fingerprinting units for large groups. Corporate processing occurs at the Westerville headquarters and a Columbus, Ohio card scanning division, with compliance maintained via annual third-party audits by CJIS ACE under FBI channeling requirements.

Name

National Background Check

Legal name

National Background Check, Inc.

Website

https://nationalbackgroundcheck.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Background Check, Inc. (NBCI) is an FBI-approved Channeling Agency operating a ~800-location electronic fingerprint and background check network serving US employers, licensees, and individuals for civilian compliance use cases since 1999.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Background Check Services

NAICS

Investigation and Personal Background Check Services (561611), Investigation and Security Services (5616)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Fingerprinting & Biometric-Based Checks (BPACALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Criminal Background Checks (National/State/County) (BPACALAA), Healthcare Sanctions & Exclusions Screening (OIG/SAM/OFAC) (BPACALAH), Identity Verification (ID, SSN Trace, KYC-lite) (BPACALAD), Employee Verification & Background Check Coordination (BPAAAIAG)

Keywords

• Fingerprint background checks
• FBI channeling services
• Live Scan fingerprinting
• Employment screening services
• Drug screening services

Headquarters

HQ city

Westerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fingerprint Background Check Services: Fees for FBI, BCI, and Florida Level 2 background checks. These are transaction-based services where customers pay per background check performed.
2. Fingerprint Card Scanning: Processing of physical FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards submitted by mail for Ohio and Florida background checks
3. Fingerprint Capture Services: Electronic fingerprint capture services including Live Scan at locations and mobile fingerprinting for groups
4. Drug Screening Services: 5-panel and 10-panel drug testing services for employers, including DOT-compliant testing
5. Non-Fingerprint Background Checks: Name-based criminal searches, employment verification, education verification, and various package options
6. Applicant Tracking Software (Appliedify): Monthly subscription for ATS licensing ($100/month) and job posting services ($30/month per position)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

National Background Check, Inc. (NBCI) is an FBI-approved Channeler that delivers electronic fingerprint-based background check services, including Expedited FBI Background Checks, Ohio BCI checks, Florida FDLE Level 2 checks, and FINRA-compliant fingerprint submissions. The offering is complemented by drug screening, non-fingerprint name-based background check packages, fingerprint card/capture/scanning, mobile on-site fingerprinting, apostille authentication, and an applicant tracking software subscription. Services are executed via Safeprintscan Live Scan equipment and delivered through a network of approximately 800 ISP-operated locations and web-based portals.

Product overview

National Background Check, Inc. (NBCI) operates as a platform of integrated background screening and fingerprinting services. The core offering centers on electronic fingerprint-based background checks including Expedited FBI Background Checks (via FBI-approved channeling), state-level Ohio and Florida background checks, FINRA-compliant checks, and drug screening services. These are complemented by ancillary services including fingerprint card printing/capture/scanning, mobile on-site fingerprinting, card scanning for out-of-state applicants, apostille document authentication, and applicant tracking software (Appliedify). The company also provides Live Scan Equipment through a partner. Services are delivered through approximately 800 nationwide locations and web-based portals for scheduling, applications, and results delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NBCI: Shortened brand name/abbreviation for National Background Check, Inc.
• FastFingerprints
• National WebCheck (NWC)
• CJIS Insight

Products and services

• Expedited FBI Background Check Expedited Identity History Summary Check processed through NBCI as an FBI-approved channeler, providing criminal history records for non-criminal justice purposes. Aimed at employers, licensing applicants, and individuals who need FBI-level results faster than direct FBI channels.
• Ohio Background Checks Electronic fingerprint-based background checks comparing fingerprints against Ohio BCI state database and/or the FBI national database. Offered as BCI only ($40), FBI only ($52), or combined BCI&FBI ($72). Used by employers, licensing applicants, and licensed professionals in Ohio.
• Florida Background Check (Level 2) Level 2 Livescan electronic fingerprints submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for industries requiring licensing, employment, or work with children background checks. Pricing ranges from $75 to $99 depending on AHCA photo inclusion and in-state/out-of-state location.
• FINRA Background Checks Electronic fingerprint submission (EFS) services for broker-dealer firms and funding portals, delivered through Sterling to satisfy FINRA regulatory requirements for the financial services industry.
• Authorized Recipients Channeling FBI-approved channeling services for authorized non-criminal justice purposes serving government agencies, businesses, federally assisted housing, SWFT, tribal organizations, and federally chartered financial institutions.
• Drug Screening Pre-employment and DOT-compliant drug testing services including 5-Panel ($45), 10-Panel ($50), 5-Panel DOT Like ($45), and DOT Panel ($50) urine-based testing detecting substances such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and others.
• Non-Fingerprint Background Checks Name-based background check services sold as packages (Express $29.95, Express Plus $47.95, Premium $74.95, Healthcare $71.95, Driver $74.95, Professional $105.95) and as a la carte items covering criminal/civil/federal courts, motor vehicle records, SSN trace, employment and education verification, sex offender registry, OFAC watch list, OIG healthcare search, bankruptcy, credit, and reference checks.
• Fingerprint Cards Electronic fingerprint capture printed onto standard FD-258 fingerprint cards provided to customers for $35 per card for use in downstream background check submissions.
• Fingerprint Capture Electronic fingerprint capture service for completing existing background check applications and transactions requiring printed fingerprint cards, priced at $20 per capture.
• Card Scanning Electronic submission service for mailed FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards to Ohio BCI and Florida FDLE, processing cards within 2-4 business days of delivery to NBCI's corporate office.
• Mobile Fingerprinting On-site fingerprinting and drug screening services for large groups at customer locations, including fingerprint cards, fingerprint capture, and oral/urine drug screening via deployed mobile unit.
• Apostille Services Document authentication services delivered via partner Apostille Courier Express to expedite FBI Criminal Background Checks requiring apostille or authentication by the U.S. Department of State.
• Applicant Tracking Software (Appliedify) Online applicant tracking system (ATS) for posting jobs, managing applicants, and hiring, with Licensing at $100/monthly and Job Posting at $30/monthly per position, syndicated to paid and free job boards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ fingerprinting locations nationwide within 30-minute drive of most citizens
• +2 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CJIS ACE (Division of Diverse Computing Inc.)coreTechnology or IntegrationNBCI retained CJIS ACE for annual third-party audits required as an FBI-approved channeler. CJIS ACE conducts initial audit assessment within one year of FBI contract award including two-day onsite visit, and subsequent annual audits. CJIS ACE also provides access to CJIS Insight for compliance monitoring throughout the year and assists during FBI audits. CJIS ACE has over 135 years of combined CJIS-related audit experience and background working with FBI CJIS Advisory Policy Board.
• FastFingerprintscoreTechnology or IntegrationFastFingerprints provides service expertise for the electronic fingerprinting market. They operate the customer-facing service locations and provide customer support for the NBCI network of ISP partners.
• Innovative Biometric SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationInnovative Biometric Systems provides equipment solutions (Live Scan fingerprinting equipment) for NBCI's network of service locations.
• Apostille Courier ExpressminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNBCI works with Apostille Courier Express to help customers expedite documents to the U.S. State Department for apostille or authentication of FBI Criminal Background Checks.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sterling (Sterling Backcheck): Sterling is a leading global background screening provider offering fingerprint, criminal, and identity checks. It directly competes with NBCI's Professional Package and FINRA submissions via the same Sterling EFS integration.
• Checkr: Checkr is a technology-led background check platform serving employers with API-based criminal, identity, and motor vehicle screens. It competes for the same employer Direct Bill accounts NBCI targets with its name-based screening packages.
• HireRight: HireRight provides enterprise employment background checks, drug screening, and identity verification. Its global screening portfolio overlaps NBCI's Professional, Healthcare, and Driver packages for enterprise HR buyers.
• IdentoGO (IDEMIA): IdentoGO operates the largest U.S. Live Scan fingerprint network for civil and identity purposes. It directly parallels NBCI's nationwide ISP fingerprinting footprint and FBI-channeler service model.
• Fieldprint: Fieldprint provides nationwide electronic Live Scan fingerprinting and background screening services. It mirrors NBCI's ISP-driven fingerprint capture model and competes for the same applicant volumes.
• Accurate Background: Accurate Background provides employment background screening including criminal, motor vehicle, and identity checks. It competes for SMB and enterprise customers using NBCI's Express and Premium packages.

Broad incumbents

• First Advantage: First Advantage is a large incumbent offering screening, identity, and compliance services to enterprise employers. It overlaps NBCI's healthcare, FINRA, and DOT drug-screening offerings as part of a broader portfolio.
• ADP Screening & Selection Services: ADP bundles background screening and tax credit screening within its broader HR/payroll platform. It competes for the same employer accounts NBCI pursues via Direct Bill, especially SMB customers.

Others

• Innovative Biometric Systems: Innovative Biometric Systems supplies the Live Scan fingerprinting equipment used across NBCI's ISP network. It is a core enabler/supplier rather than a direct screening competitor.

Emerging players

• Certn: Certn is a global, API-first background screening platform expanding in North America. It represents an emerging technology-led entrant competing for the same digital-first employer screening budgets as NBCI's non-fingerprint packages.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nbci_1999
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalbackgroundcheckinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-background-check-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about National Background Check