How to Use Prerequisites for Background Checks

Modified on Wed, Mar 20 at 2:15 PM

Heads up! This article is intended for Site Managers


While we can connect you with our third-party background check providers, you may already be established with an outside background check provider and want to continue working with them. 


That's completely fine and up to you. You can set up special Prerequisites and continue working with your chosen provider—and we're going to show you the best possible way to do so!


Working with third-party providers

You can set up Prerequisites that require manual review and approval before volunteers can respond to an Opportunity. The purpose of these Prerequisites is to stop volunteers from responding while you use your third-party system to see who is and isn't approved.

    

After you verify the results of those background checks, you can return to the Prerequisites > Approval area of your site to update their status accordingly. Some options include: 

  • Setting up a File Upload Prerequisites type if you want volunteers to submit a document or certificate when completing the Prerequisite. 
  • Selecting a blank or selected answer if you don't require volunteers to upload a document when answering. 

✏️ Quick tip: Almost all third-party background check Prerequisites require that you include a link to the third-party provider. This is done through the Add Content Link which is available with all Prerequisite types—i.e., File Upload, Radio Button, etc.


How to set it up with a Prerequisite

You can choose any type when setting up a third-party background check Prerequisite. In the following example, we've set it up as a File Upload type. This means the volunteers are required to upload documentation when completing the Prerequisite. Documentation can include:

  • A screenshot showing they completed the background check with the third-party provider
  • A certificate
  • Any additional documentation requirements associated with this Prerequisite—i.e., licensure, driver's license, completed forms, etc. 
FieldSetup Explanation
StatusMark the status as Active so volunteers can access this Prerequisite.
TypeSelect File Upload for the Type if you want volunteers to upload a file or document when completing the requirements for this Prerequisite. 
  • If you don't want to require them to upload any documentation, then you can select one of the other available types. 
  • For more information about the different types, or setting up Prerequisites, click here
TitleThis is visible to volunteers, Program Facilitators, and Site Managers. 
  • Be specific with the title—e.g., Background Check Summer 2024.
QuestionThis is what the volunteer sees when they click on the Prerequisite. 
  • It can be a question like "Have you completed our background check?". 
  • It can be a statement like "Please complete our background check by clicking the link below." 
Auto ApproveFor most background check Prerequisites, Site Managers check No for Auto Approve
  • This allows you to review the background check status, Prerequisite response, and any additional information provided to your third-party service provider. 
  • When ready, you can manually approve them. 
Permissions

There are two permissions to choose from: 

  • Required to Respond to Any Opportunities: This means they must complete the Prerequisite before responding to the Opportunity. 
    • Their Prerequisite must have a Qualified status to finish signing up for the Opportunity. 
  • Required to View Any Opportunities: This means they must complete the Prerequisite before they can view and respond to the Opportunity. 
DurationThe duration selection depends on when you want volunteers to complete the Prerequisite again. 
  • Do you want volunteers to complete the background check again? If yes, select when you want the Prerequisite to expire. 
    • For example, if you want them to complete it again annually, select 1 Year
    • When it expires, a notification is sent to the users prompting them to complete it again. 
  • Do you want the Prerequisite to be good for life? If yes, select Forever as the Duration. 
Add Content LinkAlmost all background check Prerequisites through a third-party service require a content link. 
1. Toggle the Add Content Link button to On
2. Copy a link to the third-party background check provider and paste it into the Link URL field. 
3. You can include actionable text or the title of the service provider in the Link Text field—e.g., Click here to complete your background check or 123 Background Checker. 
  • This creates a clickable link that directs them to your third-party provider.


  • Here's what the form looks like with this setup:

  • Here's what it looks like to volunteers: