First Advantage Background Check Cost 2026: Quote Only, No Inferred Rates
First Advantage is the largest US background-check provider by revenue after the Sterling acquisition. Enterprise quote-only with industry-specific configurations.
The fast facts
| Segment | Enterprise |
| Pricing model | quote only |
| Cheapest published | Quote only - contact First Advantage sales |
| Free tier | No |
| Geographic coverage | Global, multinational enterprise focus. |
| Source | fadv.com/ |
| Verified | June 2026 |
Tier breakdown
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Advantage | Quote only | Background, drug, identity verification. Industry-specific configurations across healthcare, financial services, transportation, government. |
The pricing model in one paragraph
Enterprise quote-only. First Advantage does not publish per-check rates and directs prospects to a sales interest form. Combined revenue after the Sterling acquisition is reported above $1B.
Notes from the pricing page
- Acquired Sterling in 2024; the combined entity is the largest US background-check provider by revenue.
- Third-party listings cite per-check rates and a setup fee, but these are not authoritative and First Advantage itself does not publish. Quotes vary materially by annual volume.
The Sterling acquisition reshaped the field
First Advantage acquired Sterling Check on 31 October 2024. The combined entity is the largest US background-check provider by revenue. For procurement that means RFPs sent to either brand now route to one commercial team. Industry-specific configurations exist across healthcare, financial services, transportation, and government.
Why we do not show a per-check number
First Advantage does not publish per-check rates on its public site. Third-party listings cite per-check rates with a setup fee, but these are not authoritative and First Advantage itself does not publish. Quotes vary materially by annual volume.
What you can know without a quote
- Customer profile: Multinational enterprise; industry-specific configurations.
- Geographic coverage: Global.
- Combined revenue: Above $1B (post-Sterling).
- Sister brand: Sterling (same commercial team since 31 October 2024).
Alternatives in the same segment
- HireRight, similar Fortune 500 customer profile.
- Accurate Background, US-primary enterprise.
- Cisive, regulated-industry specialism with PreCheck for healthcare.
Try it in the calculator
The multi-vendor calculator includes First Advantage alongside the rest of the background check field. Enter your monthly volume to see how First Advantage's pricing model compares against published alternatives.
Where to go next
- Multi-vendor calculator, estimate annual cost at your volume.
- Enterprise background checks, full segment breakdown.
- Quote-only vendors, the operational consequences of vendor pricing opacity.
- Methodology, every source URL and verification date.