Q: Who must complete the background check?
A: All USA Gymnastics Professional Members must complete and pass a background check. Professional membership will carry a pending status until the background check and safety certification have been successfully completed.

Q: When must the background check be completed?
A: New requirements for professional membership began December 1, 2007. Background checks are required for all new/lapsed/expired professional members. Therefore, if your membership is new or already expired at the time of renewal, the membership will be pending until the background check is completed. All current professional members must complete the background check by their renewal month in order to avoid a lapse in their membership. View the timetable for background check completion.

Q: What is the cost of the background check?
A: The minimum cost of the background check is $20.00 plus a $1.25 processing fee. This cost includes a Full Service Check-it-TwiceTM search package plus one single county search. The cost of the background check may increase depending on the state and/or number of counties or names that are being searched. If an individual has lived in more than one county, additional county searches will take place. If a person has had a name change, all last names will be checked and this will incur additional fees. Some counties in particular states charge additional fees. For example, many counties in the state of New York are charged a minimum of $52 by the New York Office of Court Administration. These fees go directly to the state. To date, the average cost of a background check is $38 per person. A full fee schedule is available upon logging into the background screening application.

Q: What is my username and password?
A: Username = Professional Membership Number. Password = 8 digit date of birth (mmddyyyy).

Q: Can I mail or fax my background check?
A: For security reasons, NCSI discourages the use of paper forms. Paper forms may be sent, but this will cause an increase in the processing time for the background check. Please email NCSI Client Services if you need a paper application.

Q: What information is required for the background check?
A: The screening will need the following information:

• social security number (required for verification purposes, background check will not be submitted or completed without this information)
• first and last name
• city, state and zip
• contact information
• gender

Q: How far back does the background check search?
A: The first-time check will go back seven years. It will check all names and addresses reported to NCSI within seven years. Subsequent checks will not need to go back into the long history.

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions on my background check?
A: National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) at 866-833-7100 x109

Q: What information is USA Gymnastics provided on my background check?
A: The Presidential and Vice Presidential offices of USA Gymnastics can be made aware of the content provided on a background check. No other employees of USA Gymnastics have access to the content of an individual’s background check.

Q: When will I be notified of background check results?
A: Once you have completed the background check you will receive email notification. Normal processing time is 3 to 4 weeks.

Q: What if I am given a green light?
A: The “green light” indicates an individual has passed the background search with regard to suitability for participation as a professional member of USA Gymnastics.

Q: What if I am given a red light?
A: The “red light” indicates an individual does not meet the criteria as suitable for participation as a professional member of USA Gymnastics. If a question arises concerning a background search, the applicant will be contacted by NCSI and provided with an opportunity to correct potential errors in the applicant’s record or to provide additional information prior to issuing a “red light.” In such situations USA Gymnastics may also be contacted.

Q: Can I contest a red light?
A: For an applicant to contest the content of a record provided to the applicant as part of USA Gymnastics background check, the applicant may seek an appeal of his/her record with NCSI pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. USA Gymnastics will use the determination provided by NCSI, in accordance with USA Gymnastics Bylaws Article 9 Membership, to determine an individual’s eligibility for membership in USA Gymnastics. Should an individual contest a USA Gymnastics decision to deny participation based upon a “red light” from the background search, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision pursuant to Article 10 of the USA Gymnastics Bylaws.

Q: When does the background check expire?
A: The background check must be redone every two years, dating from the month the first background check was completed. The background check must be done prior to renewing your membership.

Q: Can an Instructor Member or nonmember complete the background check?
A: At this time the background check process is only available to Professional or Pending Professional members.

Q: Can a club do a background checks for their employees?
A: Services for a club to do so will become available in the first quarter of 2008.

Q: Can I use results from a different background screening agency?
A: No. USA Gymnastics will only accept results from NCSI. No other agency results will be accepted. For the purposes of a national program, it is important that background screening is standardized and that consistency is maintained. USA Gymnastics has researched NCSI and wants to ensure that all members are held to the same standard and that best practices are followed for all members.

Q: Who receives the revenue from the background check screening?
A: Background screening fees go directly to NCSI to cover provider and processing costs. USA Gymnastics does NOT receive any of the money form the background check process. We are serving as a facilitator between the background screening agency and our members. USA Gymnastics worked closely with NCSI to obtain an affordable price for this important service. Some of the additional fees are dictated by the counties and/or government agencies in which you reside.

Q: Why does the social security number need to be provided?
A: The social security number allows NCSI to verify that the information the applicant has submitted is accurate. For example, there are many variations of names such as William and Bill, Robert and Bobby and Robbie. Also, we have found that individuals try to change their dates of birth or spelling of their names to avoid being found in sex offender registries. These are just some of the reasons that NCSI needs to verify the information received by applicants to ensure they are looking for records for the right person. The social security number is a consistent reference for one's identity and is a required field for a background check. For more information on social security numbers, see NCSI's FAQ on SSN Trace.

Q: Can one go through background check prior to their membership expiring?
A: Yes, the background check will be valid for two years from the month of the original background check.

Q: How does NCSI determine the counties that need to be searched?
A: Applicants are asked to provide name and county history during the NCSI registration process. In addition, a social security number trace is used to verify the applicant’s information. The SSN trace reports name and address history associated with a SSN. NCSI will utilize the applicant’s submitted information and the SSN trace to search all names and counties reported in accordance with USA Gymnastics policy.

Q: How do I enter an international address as part of my application?
A: Currently, the online application cannot accept international addresses. Please email NCSI Client Services to request a paper form in order to complete your background check application.

Q: I am a non-U.S. Citizen and do not have a social security number. How do I apply for my background check?
A: Contact USA Gymnastics Member Services at 1-800-345-4719 or email your request for further information.

BACKGROUND CHECK TIMELINE
When do I need to complete my background check?

Background Check Policy

1. Introduction

USA Gymnastics requires background searches for individuals involved with our programs to ensure a safe and secure environment for participants and members. Consistent with our responsibility to protect the best interest of the participants in the sport of gymnastics, USA Gymnastics has selected the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) to perform background checks on all Professional Members as a prerequisite for membership.

2. Individuals Subject to Background Check

Background searches shall be conducted concerning all Professional Members of USA Gymnastics. All new Professional Members shall have a background search completed as a condition for membership in USA Gymnastics. Current Professional Members shall have a background check completed as a condition for continued membership in USA Gymnastics. The background check for current Professional Members will be performed every two years at the time of their membership renewal.

Background searches shall also be conducted concerning all USA Gymnastics Board Members, Executive Committee Members, and USA Gymnastics staff members upon their initial appointment, election, or hire and every 2 years thereafter.

3. Search Organization

The National Center for Safety Initiatives ("NCSI") shall be the authorized search organization that performs background searches for USA Gymnastics. NCSI is a full service screening organization that works in accordance with the Recommended Guidelines established by the National Council on Youth Sports ("NCYS"). NCSI operates as an independent company, but is owned and governed in partnership with NCYS.

In addition to conducting the background search, NCSI shall be responsible for interpreting the search results, communicating with the applicant regarding the search result, and reporting to USA Gymnastics all search results. NCSI will also be responsible for complying with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained throughout the background search process.

4. Registration for Background Check

NCSI will develop a background check authorization and disclosure form for USA Gymnastics members via a secure website. NCSI will provide USA Gymnastics with the website information so that USA Gymnastics can communicate with its members on how to access the site and register for a background check. Each member must complete the online background check authorization and disclosure form prior to registration for a background check with NCSI.

5. Information to be Checked

All individuals screened for USA Gymnastics shall undergo a background check that includes:

• Two independent national databases;
• Sex offender registries of all available states;
• Social Security Number and address verification;
• Federal terrorist database search; and
• Non-database (county courthouse runner) searches of county criminal records of all jurisdictions of residence.

6. Findings

NCSI will issue results to the applicant and USA Gymnastics based on a "Red Light/Green Light" system. A "Green Light" or "meets the criteria" finding indicates an individual is suitable for participation in USA Gymnastics with regard to the background search. A "Red Light" finding means the individual "does not meet the criteria". If questions arise concerning a background search, the applicant will be contacted by NCSI and provided with an opportunity to correct potential errors in the applicant's record or to provide additional information prior to issuing a "Red Light". In such situations USA Gymnastics may also be contacted. A conviction (or the entry of any plea of guilty or no contest) or disclosure from an applicant that contains the following information will be flagged as a "Red Light" or "does not meet the criteria":

• Any felony (any crime punishable by confinement of greater than one year);
• Any lesser crime involving force or threat of force against a person;
• Any lesser crime in which sexual relations is an element, including "victimless" crimes of a sexual nature (including pornography);
• Any lesser crime involving controlled substances (not paraphernalia or alcohol);
• Any lesser crime involving cruelty to animals; or
• Any sex offender registrant.

Additionally, the following information will result in further investigation involving the applicant and the appropriate courts, which will then lead to a determination of either a "Red Light" or a "Green Light":

• An arrest for a criterion offenses with no disposition noted;
• An expunction, restoration of rights, or pardon relating to a criterion offense;
• Any charge involving a minor resulting in a disposition favorable to the applicant; or
• An arrest or conviction where it is not readily apparent if drugs· or alcohol were involved.

The above criteria are contained within the guidelines developed by the (NCYS and have been adopted by NCSI. The NCYS considers the criteria for a "Red Light" or "does not meet the criteria" findings to be consistent with the principles of the federal PROTECT Act of 2003.

7. Review of Background Search Findings

Should an applicant contest the content of a record provided to the applicant as part of the USA Gymnastics background search, the applicant may seek an appeal of the record with NCSI pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. USA Gymnastics will use the determinations provided by NCSI, in accordance with the USA Gymnastics Bylaws Article 9 Membership, to determine an individual's eligibility for membership in USA Gymnastics. Should an individual contest a USA Gymnastics decision to deny participation based upon a "Red Light" finding resulting from the background search, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision pursuant to Article 10 of the USA Gymnastics Bylaws.