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First Advantage

Global screener that absorbed Sterling; reports 200M+ screens a year

Overview

First Advantage, founded in 2003, is a global employment background screening company[1]. It reports about 80,000 customers, including 66% of the Fortune 100 and more than half of the Fortune 500, with coverage in more than 200 countries and territories[1]. Following its acquisition of Sterling Check, Sterling’s website states that ‘Sterling is now a First Advantage company’ and that customers can order the same Sterling checks through First Advantage; it cites a combined 200 million-plus screens a year as of 31 December 2025[2].

The combined catalogue spans identity verification, criminal and civil court records, global checks, SSN traces, credit and liens, executive due diligence, drug and occupational health testing, motor vehicle records, fingerprinting, social media screening, E-Verify and Form I-9, and post-hire monitoring of criminal records, motor vehicle records and medical licences[2]. Technology includes candidate and client portals, analytics, integrations and an API[2].

Pricing is negotiated by contract and not published. As an enterprise supplier with a very large client base, First Advantage is strongest for multinational, high-volume and regulated hiring; small employers will usually find self-serve providers simpler. The Sterling migration means some legacy Sterling customers are moving to First Advantage’s platform[2].

First Advantage features

  • Criminal, civil and global checks
  • Drug and occupational health testing
  • E-Verify and Form I-9
  • Post-hire continuous monitoring
  • Executive due diligence
  • API and HR integrations

First Advantage pricing

Quote-based enterprise contracts; no public price list.

First Advantage strengths and limitations

Strengths

  • Largest disclosed volume and coverage
  • Broad product range including drug testing
  • Strong Fortune 500 presence

Limitations

  • No published pricing
  • Platform migration for Sterling customers
  • Enterprise sales process

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