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.
- Re-checked 23 September 2026: fadv.com still publishes no rates and still routes to a sales interest form, and the 844.718.0087 sales line is still on the page.
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.