First Advantage

What Is First Advantage?

First Advantage offers global technology solutions focused on screening, verification, safety, and compliance in human capital space. The software helps run background checks across various countries and territories. It pulls from a database that holds over one billion records built over time.

The platform organizes its background check services around three stages of the hiring process: pre-hire screening, onboarding support such as Form I-9 compliance, and post-hire monitoring for ongoing risk. This means a company can stay with one vendor from the initial candidate check through periodic rechecks after hire, instead of piecing together separate tools for each stage.

First Advantage also connects with applicant tracking and human capital management systems. This way screening results appear directly inside the tools recruiters already use rather than requiring manual lookup on a separate portal.

What Is First Advantage Best For?

The platform stands out for building separate screening tracks around distinct workforce types rather than running everyone through one generic process. Full-time employees, contractors and gig workers, and students each follow rules specific to their classification. For an HR team managing a mixed workforce, this separation helps avoid the compliance gaps that come from screening a contractor the same way as a full-time hire.

How Much Does First Advantage Cost?

First Advantage pricing starts at $29. This can, however, vary depending on the needs and requirements of an organization, as the software offers a pay-as-you-go model.

Beyond the base price, several factors can affect the total cost of First Advantage. Some of these include:

• Screening Package: $20–$100+/candidate. The pricing varies based on the number and type of background checks included
• Drug Screening: $30–$75/test. This is additional cost for drug testing as part of the screening process
• MVR Checks: $10–$30/check. It applies when organizations need motor vehicle record screening
• International Screening: $50–$150+/candidate. International checks typically cost more due to country-specific searches
• HRIS/ATS Integration: $1,000–$10,000+; one-time costs may apply for integrations, implementation, and workflow setup
• High-Volume Screening: $10–$30+/candidate; per-candidate costs may decrease when purchasing screening services in larger volumes

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.

First Advantage Integrations

First Advantage provides integration with various applications, including:

• Bullhorn
• Greenhouse software
• ICIMS software
• Workday
• SAP SuccessFactors

How Does First Advantage Work?

Here's how the platform works:

• Log in to the First Advantage portal with your credentials
• Create a new screening request and select the package suited to the role or worker type
• Verify the candidate's identity and consent details before the check starts
• Track the status of each request in real time from the dashboard
• Review completed reports for criminal, employment, and education results as they come in
• Manage flagged records or discrepancies directly within the platform for adjudication
• Set up ongoing monitoring for roles that need periodic rechecks after hire

Who Is First Advantage For?

First Advantage serves businesses across various industries, including:

• Banking and financial services
• Healthcare
• Transportation
• Technology
• Staffing
• Non-profit
• Retail

First Advantage Use Cases

Based on our analysis of user reviews and First Advantage features, we have identified key scenarios where this software is a good fit:

Companies Hiring Across Multiple Countries

Organizations hiring in multiple countries usually end up working with a dozen different screening vendors, since most providers only cover a handful of markets. First Advantage runs checks across more than 200+ countries and territories through a single account. Moreover, reviewers have specifically called out international background checks as a strength when describing what the platform solves for them.

Staffing And Gig Companies Managing A Mixed Workforce

First Advantage helps staffing agencies and gig platforms manage screening for both full-time employees and contract workers. Its XtdForce track provides a separate screening path for contractors and gig workers. This allows organizations to apply verification requirements suited to each workforce type rather than using a single process for all hires.

Large Enterprises Handling High-Volume Screening

An organization that has grown through mergers or acquisitions often inherits several screening vendors. And each usually has its own records and workflow gaps between them. First Advantage's own 2024 acquisition of Sterling Check put it among the larger providers in the space. So, a company in a similar position, looking to bring several vendors under one roof, could reasonably see it as a fit.

Property Managers Screening Prospective Tenants

Property managers can use First Advantage’s Resident Advantage to screen prospective tenants before approving rental applications. The service helps verify applicant information, review eviction history, and assess potential rental risks. Property managers can use these screening results alongside their application criteria to make more informed leasing decisions and reduce the risk of renting to applicants with problematic rental histories.

Is First Advantage Right For You?

First Advantage supports organizations scaling across locations and countries, with solution tiers for companies of different sizes and screening coverage. Its security framework includes ISO 27001, ISO 27701, SOC 1, and SOC 2 certifications or attestations, while its public Trust Center provides visibility into its security practices.

In July 2026, First Advantage ranked #1 in TIME’s 2026 list of America’s Best Companies for Background Screening and Identity Verification. The company is also publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker FA, subjecting its financials and governance to public-market disclosure requirements.

One regulatory update, in February 2026, First Advantage published guidance on FCRA compliance and emerging AI regulations in hiring. The company discussed a new CFPB interpretation that generally gives the FCRA precedence over conflicting state laws and highlighted the need for employers to conduct due diligence on AI-based hiring tools.

Are you still unsure about First Advantage? Contact us at (661) 384-7070 for further guidance.