First Advantage Background Check Pricing 2026: Quote Only, No Inferred Rates
First Advantage's enterprise quote-only model after the Sterling acquisition, the Enterprise Advantage platform scope, and how to scope a quote.
The fast facts
| Category | Workforce background checks |
| Pricing model | quote only |
| Cheapest published | Quote only |
| Free tier | No |
| Geographic coverage | Global, multinational enterprise focus. |
| Source | fadv.com/ |
| Verified | 17 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
- Sales line: 844.718.0087. Sales interest form on the contact page.
- Acquired Sterling in 2024; the combined entity is the largest US background-check provider by revenue.
- Third-party listings cite per-check rates of $29 to $75 plus a $175 setup fee, but these are not authoritative and First Advantage itself does not publish. Quotes vary materially by annual volume.
The Sterling acquisition (2024)
First Advantage acquired Sterling in 2024. Combined revenue is reported above $1B, making the merged entity the largest US background-check provider. Both brands continue to operate, with Sterling positioned as a separate go-to-market channel.
Enterprise Advantage platform
First Advantage's Enterprise Advantage product is the flagship platform for mid-sized to large enterprises. Configurable workflows for industry-specific compliance (FCRA adverse action, DOT pre-employment, OIG/SAM healthcare exclusion lists, OFAC sanctions).
Why we do not show inferred per-check rates
Third-party listings cite First Advantage per-check rates of $29 (Basic) to $75 (Premium) plus a $175 setup fee. These numbers are not vendor-confirmed and vary materially by annual volume.
What to ask in the First Advantage sales call
- Per-check rate by package depth and annual volume. Get a sliding scale.
- Setup fee: confirm in writing.
- Annual minimum commitment.
- Sterling vs First Advantage proper: which channel offers the better rate for your industry?
- Industry packages (healthcare OIG / SAM, financial OFAC, DOT transportation).
First Advantage vs the published-price vendors
For hiring volumes below 1,000 checks per year, Checkr or GoodHire's published per-check tiers will typically beat a First Advantage quote once setup and annual minimums are included.
Try it in the calculator
The multi-vendor calculator includes First Advantage alongside the rest of the workforce, tenant, and consumer-KYC field. Enter your monthly verification 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.
- Workforce background checks, full category breakdown and side-by-side comparison.
- Quote-only vendors, the operational consequences of vendor pricing opacity.
- Methodology, every source URL and verification date.