Total Talent Management

Background checks: Costs and billing

Background checks: Costs and billing

Last updated: September 19, 2024

UW conducts a suite of criminal conviction background checks on the final candidate for employment or volunteer/contractor placement at the UW.

The University’s basic background check package for campus employees is $33.25. The cost for a specific finalist may be higher if the individual’s residency history requires additional county, state and/or international reports.

On campus, the employing unit is responsible for designating a ProCard to be used for prehire background check charges.

Sterling will typically send invoices on the 10th business day of the month for checks completed the previous month and ProCards will be charged 1-2 weeks after invoices are issued. Invoices will be sent from accountsreceivable@sterlingcheck.com and will include all details ProCard holders need to verify which hire the charge is for and to reconcile their charges in Workday. The invoice will list each candidate and the total cost of their background check.

Understanding your Sterling Invoice

The address field of your invoice will include your department’s name as it appears in Sterling’s billing system. Departments in different schools, colleges, and campuses can use similar shorthand and acronyms. When calling Sterling, be sure to reference your department name as it appears on your invoice.

The Purchase Order number on your invoice is unique to your hiring department. Its last 3 digits will match the billing site used by the University’s previous background check vendor, A-Check.

Your invoice also includes a Billing ID, which is Sterling’s internal billing reference and includes the UW’s contract number.

Designating or changing your department’s authorized ProCard holder

To change the name of your department’s authorized ProCard holder, send an email to ttmchbc@uw.edu that includes the following:

  • Your department’s name and Purchase Order Number as they appear on your Sterling invoice.
  • Current ProCard holder name and email
  • New ProCard holder name and email

UWHR will send Sterling your updated billing information. A Sterling account representative will confirm when the change has been made and provide instructions for updating the account’s ProCard information.

Updating a ProCard number or expiration date

Email UWHelp@sterlingcheck.com from the email associated with your Sterling account. Include your name and the following information from your Sterling invoice: department  name, Purchase Order Number, and Billing ID as they appear on your Sterling Check invoice. UW’s Sterling account representative will provide instructions for providing/updating your ProCard information.

Requesting a duplicate/invoice/receipt?

Email your request to UWHelp@sterlingcheck.com from the email associated with your Sterling account. Include your name and the following information from your invoice: your department’s name and Billing ID as they appear on your Sterling Check invoice. You will typically receive your invoice the next business day.

Disputing background check charges
If you have questions about your invoice or specific charges, forward the invoice to UWHelp@sterlingcheck.com. Please include the applicant name(s) when disputing a charge.