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 are designed to identify individuals or entities that may present regulatory, compliance, or reputational risk. These searches commonly include healthcare sanctions, government exclusion lists, and sanctions or enforcement data.
Healthcare Sanctions & Exclusions
Healthcare sanctions searches identify individuals or organizations that have been excluded, sanctioned, or otherwise restricted from participation in federal or state healthcare programs. These searches may include:
- Federal healthcare exclusion records
- State-level healthcare sanctions and exclusion actions
- Healthcare-related disciplinary, licensure, or debarment records
Common healthcare sanctions sources include:
- LEIE (HHS OIG Exclusions)
- State Medicaid exclusion lists
- FACIS (Level I or Level III, depending on scope)
Sanctions, Exclusions & Enforcement Watchlists
Sanctions and exclusion searches identify individuals or entities subject to U.S. government restrictions, enforcement actions, or eligibility limitations. These searches may include:
- U.S. Treasury sanctions programs
- Federal procurement and grant exclusion records
- Government enforcement and regulatory actions
Common sources include:
- OFAC sanctions lists
- SAM (System for Award Management – federal debarment and exclusion records)
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.
