3rd Degree Screening

K-12 Education

Background Checks for K-12 Schools That Put Student Safety First

Screen every employee, contractor, and volunteer with a process built for the unique compliance demands of K-12 education, so you can hire with confidence and protect every student in your care.

Confident educator in a teal blazer and glasses with laptop and tabbed binders, framed by navy and crimson brand circles
PBSA-accredited screening

Independently audited

For compliance & accuracy

PBSA

PBSA Accredited

Background Screening Association

FCRA

FCRA Certified Staff

Fair Credit Reporting Act

US Based

100% US-Based

Support and Operations

Licensed PI Agency

Licensed Private Investigative Agency

State-Licensed & Bonded

Why it matters

The Stakes in K-12 Hiring Are Unlike Anywhere Else

Every person who walks through your school doors, whether a new teacher, a bus driver, a custodian, or a volunteer chaperone, has access to children. That responsibility doesn't leave room for shortcuts.

K-12 hiring teams navigate a compliance environment that spans state-mandated fingerprinting requirements, sex offender registry checks, abuse and neglect registries, and federal criminal screening, often with limited HR staff and tight hiring windows before the school year starts.

Most background check providers treat education as just another vertical. We don't.

At 3rd Degree Screening, we help K-12 organizations:

Screen employees, contractors, and volunteers under a single compliant workflow
Meet state-specific requirements for educators and support staff
Identify sex offender registry matches, criminal history, and abuse registry flags before onboarding
Verify credentials and employment history for teaching and administrative roles
Move fast enough to fill positions before the bell rings

Screening Packages

Our K-12 Screening Packages

Certified Staff

Teachers, Counselors & Administrators

  • Legal Name and Maiden/Alias
  • Identity Verification
  • Social Security Trace
  • USA Arrest Booking
  • Nationwide Criminal Database
  • Global Watch Lists
  • Sex Offender Registry - NSOPW
  • Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Check
  • Nationwide County Criminal Record Check - Unlimited
  • Federal Criminal Nationwide Search
  • Employment & Education Verification
  • Professional License / Credential Check
  • *Possible 3rd Party Fees

Support Staff

Custodial, Food Service & Clerical

  • Legal Name and Maiden/Alias
  • Identity Verification
  • Social Security Trace
  • USA Arrest Booking
  • Nationwide Criminal Database
  • Global Watch Lists
  • Sex Offender Registry - NSOPW
  • Nationwide County Criminal Record Check - Unlimited
  • Federal Criminal Nationwide Search
  • Employment Verification
  • *Possible 3rd Party Fees

Contractors & Volunteers

On-Site Third Parties

  • Legal Name and Maiden/Alias
  • Identity Verification
  • Social Security Trace
  • Nationwide Criminal Database
  • Global Watch Lists
  • Sex Offender Registry - NSOPW
  • Nationwide County Criminal Record Check - Unlimited
  • *Possible 3rd Party Fees

A La Carte

  • Legal Name and Maiden/Alias
  • Identity Verification
  • Employment & Education Verification
  • Reference Check
  • Professional License Check
  • Motor Vehicle Record
  • Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Check
  • Sex Offender Registry - NSOPW
  • Civil Records Check
  • Workforce Monitoring - Criminal Record

90%

reports in under 36 hours

99%

support requests resolved in 1 contact

9.5 years

average client tenure

50+

integrations

Why Choose Us

Why K-12 Hiring Teams Choose 3rd Degree Screening

Getting background checks right in a school environment isn't just about compliance checkboxes. It's about building a process your board, your parents, and your community can trust.

State-specific compliance support

Requirements for educators vary significantly by state. We help ensure your screening process aligns with your jurisdiction's mandates, including fingerprinting coordination where applicable.

Child abuse and neglect registry checks

We include registry checks that many national providers skip or offer only as an add-on, because in K-12 they aren't optional.

Fast turnaround that works around your hiring calendar

Whether you're filling a teaching position before the first day of school or onboarding a substitute mid-semester, our process is built to move.

Volunteer and contractor screening

Your duty of care doesn't stop at W-2 employees. We make it easy to screen anyone who has regular access to students, regardless of employment status.

No setup fees, monthly minimums, or term commitments

Pay only for the checks you run. No contracts to negotiate before your first hire.

U.S.-based support with dedicated account managers

Real people who understand education hiring, available when you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every Student Deserves a Safe School. Start There.

Build a screening process your community can trust, with a PBSA-accredited partner that understands what's at stake in K-12 hiring.

K-12 education specialist available to talk through your screening needs

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