specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Checkr
providerId: checkr
created: '2026-07-03'
modified: '2026-07-03'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Background Checks
- Employment Screening
- Compliance
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Checkr spend. Checkr bills on a per-check basis by package
  tier rather than by API call - the dominant cost driver is the number of
  reports / screenings ordered and which package each uses (Basic+, Essential,
  Professional, or a custom package). On top of the package price, certain
  screenings incur pass-through third-party fees (county/state court access,
  DMV/MVR access, education and employment verification, international fees)
  that Checkr invoices at cost without markup, making some report costs variable
  and jurisdiction-dependent. High-volume programs are governed by custom /
  enterprise agreements with negotiated volume pricing. Cost control centers on
  choosing the right package per role, scoping screenings to what compliance
  requires, and allocating spend across nodes in the account hierarchy.
notes: >-
  Per-check package prices and pass-through fees vary and are not fully
  reconciled here; verify on the Checkr pricing page and account invoices. The
  API itself carries no separate metered fee - you pay for the background checks
  you order.
sources:
- https://checkr.com/pricing
- https://docs.checkr.com/
- https://help.checkr.com/s/article/115001342747-FAQs-about-Checkr-charges-fees
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Checkr
serviceCategory: Background Screening and Compliance
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Usage-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Usage
  - Purchase
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Checkr Background Checks
  ServiceCategory: Background Screening and Compliance
  ProviderName: Checkr
  PublisherName: Checkr
  InvoiceIssuerName: Checkr
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Usage
  PricingCategory: Usage-Based
meters:
- name: reports
  description: Background check reports ordered, billed per check by package tier.
  unit: reports
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - node
  - package
- name: package_price
  description: The base price of the package a report uses (Basic+, Essential, Professional, or custom).
  unit: usd
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - package
- name: court_access_fees
  description: Pass-through county/state court access fees on criminal searches, billed at cost.
  unit: usd
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - jurisdiction
- name: dmv_access_fees
  description: Pass-through DMV/MVR access fees on motor vehicle report screenings, billed at cost.
  unit: usd
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - state
- name: verification_fees
  description: Pass-through education, employment, and international verification fees, billed at cost.
  unit: usd
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - screening_type
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track report volume and cost per package and per node; separate base package price from variable pass-through court/DMV/verification fees.
- name: Allocation
  description: Use the account hierarchy (nodes) and report tags to map background-check spend to locations, departments, or hiring teams.
- name: Optimization
  description: Match each role to the least-expensive package that meets compliance needs; avoid over-screening; use continuous checks/subscriptions only where ongoing monitoring is justified.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign report ordering to specific nodes/programs and review monthly invoices, including pass-through fees, against hiring budgets.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com