Looking for answers related to commonly asked questions about SafeSport training? Please see our Safe Sport FAQ here.
Background Checks are a standard procedure used by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which requires the practice by its national governing body members. Background checks have been implemented by USATF to ensure that members can participate in an environment that is safe for themselves and others. Please note, this screening is not intended to serve as a pre-employment background screening program, nor can screening guarantee that incidents of abuse will not occur. Background screening is designed as a preventative risk management tool but does not ensure that future inappropriate behavior will not occur.
USATF has selected the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) to conduct the background checks. NCSI is a nationally respected screening firm used by many prominent organizations, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Click here to visit their website.
Criteria has been established by USATF and may be found on USATF’s background screen webpage and in its Safe Sport Handbook. Please note that USATF reserves the right to change its screening criteria at any time without advance notice. NCSI conducts screening and issues a determination based on USATF’s criteria. However, NCSI does not determine eligibility. NCSI screens for criminal convictions, sex offender registrations, and pending criminal cases. Screening includes identity verification, two independent multi-jurisdictional criminal database searches, multiple national watch lists including a OFAC terrorist database search, two sex offender registry database searches, and at least one county search of residency within the last seven years.
The social security number provides the necessary information (along with your name and date of birth) to produce the most thorough and accurate background screen. Screening based on name, date of birth, address history, and social security number is standard throughout the industry. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal statute that outlines the basic laws and regulations that govern the background screening industry. It is also important to note that NCSI will not share your SSN with USATF or any other entity. Back to Top
The member will still be required to have a background check performed by NCSI, on behalf of USATF. The current reality of the industry is that there is no national clearinghouse for this type of information. Additionally, there are no standard criteria by which search reports are evaluated. Various organizations, businesses, and agencies use different criteria to determine eligibility for approving an individual's background screen. Additionally, because of privacy concerns and certain requirements imposed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, there is significant reluctance to share information between organizations. Back to Top
There may be times, particularly if you have a very common name, when a background screening might return information that doesn’t belong to you. Also, on rare occasions the court records may be inaccurate such as to the nature of an offense or offense level (felony/misdemeanor). When such information results in an initial screen that does not meet criteria, you will be advised directly by NSCI. You then may dispute any inaccuracies directly with NCSI, and NCSI will again research any claimed inaccuracies. USATF will not be privy to this information until you have had an opportunity to review the information, dispute any inaccuracies, and—if the dispute is resolved in your favor—have a correction of the information made. Back to Top
If an applicant does not meet the screening criteria, their application is reviewed by USATF who makes the final decision on acceptance. USATF may also deny accepted status to individuals who are demonstrated to be in breach of the Code of Conduct or who have displayed a pattern of unethical behavior. There is no publicly available list of those not approved. Back to Top
If NCSI notifies USATF that an applicant does not meet the screening criteria, the following individuals may be notified and will maintain the confidentiality of the notification:
Applicant
USATF President
USATF CEO
USATF COO
USATF Chief Security Officer
USATF General Counsel
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USATF has engaged NCSI to provide it with a Document Repository Service (DRS) to assist in complying with a Pennsylvania law relating to background screening for volunteers and employees. The purpose of the DRS is for NCSI to collect the eligible PA documents from you. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the DRS, you will submit all required eligible forms for presentation/delivery to NCSI for review. If you live or participate in USATF programs in Pennsylvania, then you will receive an email with more information on how to obtain and upload the three required documents once you have submitted your USATF Background Screen. Back to Top
All USATF background screen registrants will be required to upload a copy of their state issued ID (driver’s license or Passport) when they submit their background screen. Please have a JPEG, TIF, GIF or PDF file available on your computer prior to submitting your background screen. Please keep file sizes under 1MB when uploading. An ID verification is required if there is missing/different data regarding your name or date of birth entered by you at the time of registration compared to information NCSI obtains from our data providers. It is imperative that a full legal name (as stated on a valid state/government issued ID) and correct date of birth are used during the screening process. Your ID will help NCSI confirm that information has been submitted correctly and searches are conducted accurately. Back to Top
Yes. An active email address is required in order to complete your background screening. NCSI’s main form of communication with you is via email. It is very important that you provide an email address and that you check it frequently following your initial application. Please adjust your spam filters to allow emails from NCIS to reach you. Back to Top
NCSI will send a notice to you via email with the relevant instructions. This notice will come to you from compliance@ncsisafe.com or verifications@ncsisafe.com in the days following your initial application. Back to Top
You can check the status of your background screening by logging in here. NCSI does not provide verbal status of background screenings. You will receive an email from NCSI when your screen has been submitted successfully. Back to Top
Please allow 10 business days for your screening to complete. Responding promptly to any request from NCSI will allow your screen to be processed efficiently. Back to Top
NCSI and USATF provide secure methods for individuals to submit their background information for screening. NCSI’s system and USATF’s system are secure, encrypted, and adherent to rules and regulations regarding background screening. In order to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information, the screening process must be completed online. Please note: USATF and/or NCSI are not conducting a credit check on anyone going through the criminal background screening process. Back to Top
NCSI is in need of information from you and has sent emails requesting the information. Please respond to the emails or contact NCSI at compliance@ncsisafe.com or verifications@ncsisafe.com for more information. Back to Top
You can email NCSI with your questions at clientservices@ncsisafe.com or call 440-542-9690 or toll free 866-833-7100, Option 4 with questions. Please remember, NCSI does not provide verbal status of background screenings over the phone. Back to Top
One of the features provided by our background screening program is an annual recheck. For the 24-month period your background screening authorization is valid, this recheck will automatically occur on or around the 12-month anniversary date of your initial background screening registration. This recheck keeps our program current and up-to-date without the need for you to re-register with NCSI every year. If you choose to leave USATF during this 24-month period and you want the automatic re-check to stop, please notify USATF in writing that you have resigned your involvement with us. Once USATF has notified NCSI of your resignation NCSI will discontinue the re-check within 30 days following receipt of your notice of resignation. It is possible, depending on your scheduled re-check and your date of resignation, that the re-check may occur following your notice of resignation. Back to Top