Every nursing, allied health, and pre-clinical student hits this checkpoint: the program letter that says “complete your background check by” a date that is suddenly very close. Hospitals require screened students for the same reason they require screened employees — patient safety and federal sanction rules — and your school’s hands are tied by its clinical contracts. Here is what’s actually searched, what it should cost, and how to knock it out today for $35.
What’s actually in the check
| Search | What it finds | Standard $35 | Premium $70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National criminal database | Multi-state criminal records sweep | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sex offender registry | All-states registry search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Global watchlist | OFAC, terrorism, and international sanctions lists | ✓ | ✓ |
| SSN trace | Identity verification and address history | ✓ | ✓ |
| County criminal, last 7 years | Direct courthouse-level records where you've lived | — | ✓ |
| FACIS Level 3 | Healthcare sanctions: OIG exclusions, SAM/GSA debarment, state board actions | — | ✓ |
Rule of thumb: if your program letter says “FACIS” or your rotations are in hospitals, order Premium. If it just says “criminal background check,” Standard usually satisfies it — and you can upgrade later with a $50 recheck instead of starting over.
The price reality check
How ordering works (you keep control of your data)
- 1. Order online — $35 or $70, two minutes.
- 2. Secure Checkr invite within one business day. You enter your own date of birth and SSN directly with Checkr — we never handle them.
- 3. Report in 3–5 business days, shared with your school. Under the FCRA you can get your copy and dispute anything inaccurate.
Program directors: one roof beats three vendors
Schools route background checks, drug screens, immunization tracking, and N95 fit testing through one Drug Free Schools portal — $30/student tracking, unlimited free admin seats, human review of every document within 24 hours, no long-term contracts. Family-owned since 1995, never acquired, never rebranded.
Get a quote or a 20-minute demo — from a human
Every inquiry goes straight to the owners. No ticket queue, no call center, no "your request has been received."
Prefer to talk? Call or text (901) 517-7450 · josh.smith@drugfreeschools.net
Frequently asked questions
What shows up on a nursing school background check?
Standard packages search national criminal databases, the sex offender registry, global watchlists, and run an SSN trace to verify identity and address history. Clinical-grade packages add county criminal courthouse searches (typically the last 7 years) and FACIS healthcare sanctions.
What is FACIS Level 3?
FACIS (Fraud and Abuse Control Information System) is the healthcare-industry sanctions search — it sweeps exclusion and disciplinary sources such as the OIG exclusion list, SAM/GSA debarments, and state licensing board actions. Level 3 is the most comprehensive tier, and it's what hospitals typically want on students touching patients.
How much does a nursing student background check cost?
Published school examples range from $50–$100 per student at one state university to $120–$153.98 bundles at schools using large vendors. Through Drug Free Schools: $35 for the Standard clinical package or $70 for Premium with county criminal and FACIS Level 3 — ordered online in minutes.
Will an old mistake disqualify me from nursing school?
Not automatically. Clinical sites review reports case by case, and outcomes vary by offense, recency, and state rules. Talk honestly with your program — and never lie on a disclosure, because the check will surface what the disclosure hides.
What are my rights if something on the report is wrong?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act you're entitled to a copy of your report and a dispute process, and inaccurate information must be investigated and corrected. You complete your own check through a secure Checkr invite, so you see what your school sees.
How long does it take?
Most reports complete in 3–5 business days. County courthouse searches occasionally take longer depending on the jurisdiction — order before your deadline week, not during it.
CastleBranch, DISA, DISA Healthcare, Complio, American DataBank, Bridges, Verified Credentials, Viewpoint Screening, Med+Proctor, Magnus Health, Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, and Checkr are trademarks of their respective owners. Drug Free Schools is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these companies. Third-party prices, policies, and events referenced on this page come from public announcements and published school and vendor materials as of July 2026 and may have changed; verify current terms with the vendor. Nothing on this page is legal or medical advice.