Watchlist searches are a standard component of many employment background checks. They help employers identify individuals who may be restricted, excluded, or sanctioned by government or international authorities, supporting compliance and informed decision-making.
Within a background check, watchlist searches provide insight into government restrictions and sanctions that complement other screening components.
What Is a Watchlist Search?
A watchlist search compares an individual’s identifying information against domestic and international databases maintained by government agencies and regulatory bodies. These searches help identify restrictions that may affect employment eligibility or participation in certain programs or activities and are reviewed as part of the overall background screening report.
What Is Included in a Watchlist Search?
Watchlist searches commonly include healthcare-related sanctions and global sanctions data.
Healthcare Sanctions
Healthcare sanctions searches identify individuals who have been excluded, sanctioned, or restricted from participating in certain healthcare-related programs or activities. These searches may include:
- Federal healthcare exclusion records
- State-level healthcare sanctions and exclusion lists
- Other healthcare-related disciplinary or debarment records
Common healthcare sanctions watchlist sources include:
- FACIS (Level I or Level III)
- LEIE
- OIG
Global Sanctions
Global sanctions searches identify individuals or entities subject to U.S. or international sanctions, enforcement actions, or regulatory restrictions. These searches may include:
- U.S. government sanctions and enforcement lists
- International regulatory and enforcement agency records
- Foreign government sanctions and embargo-related lists
Common global sanctions watchlist sources include:
- OFAC
- America’s Most Wanted
- SAM
How Watchlist Searches Fit into a Broader Background Check
Watchlist searches are one component of a comprehensive background check. They help identify restrictions or exclusions that may not appear in other screening components and should be reviewed alongside the full background screening results.
If you have questions about watchlist searches or how they fit into your employment background screening process, please contact us to learn more.
