Why am I asked to sign a Fair Credit Reporting Act disclosure?

Last updated: August 25, 2026

Applies to: Any worker whose assignment includes a background check or drug test — US W-2 employees, US 1099 independent contractors, international independent contractors, and Canadian T4 employees. If you are employed by Ascen outside the US or Canada, your local screening rules apply instead and you will not see this step.

Summary: Before we can order a background check or drug test, US law requires us to tell you in writing that we are going to, and to get your permission. That is what the "Fair Credit Reporting Act" step in your onboarding checklist is. You read it and click to agree; there is nothing to download, print, or send back.

What the step is

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal law that governs background checks used for work. It says an employer or engaging company has to give you a clear, standalone disclosure before requesting a report about you, and has to have your authorization on file.

The step appears in your checklist as Fair Credit Reporting Act. The text explains:

  • that a consumer report or investigative consumer report may be requested about you;

  • what those reports can contain — criminal history, credit history, driving records, education and work history, and general reputation;

  • who the results may be shared with.

You are agreeing to the check being run. You are not agreeing to anything about your pay, your assignment terms, or your classification.

Why you're seeing it at all

The step only appears when something on your assignment calls for screening — a background check, a drug test, are some examples. If your assignment needs none of those, you will never see it.

What happens after you agree

  1. The screening is ordered. Most background checks finish in a few days; some take longer when a county court has to be searched by hand.

  2. You may be contacted directly by the screening company if they need something from you, such as a document or a scheduling confirmation for a drug test.

  3. You can carry on with the other steps in your checklist while the screening runs.

See Why is the background check taking longer than expected? if yours is sitting.

If something's wrong

If the report comes back with something that could affect the assignment, you will be sent a copy of the report and a summary of your rights under the FCRA before any final decision is made, so that you have a chance to respond or correct an error. That is a legal requirement, not a courtesy.

This isn't individual legal advice — if you want to understand your rights in detail, the summary of your rights under the FCRA that is sent with any report is the official one, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau publishes the same summary. You can also consult a professional.

Who to contact

  • Anything about the disclosure, the check, or your onboarding — Ascen, at support@ascen.com. Ascen is your employer of record, so this is ours, not your staffing partner's.

  • Scheduling, timesheets, or your next assignment — your staffing partner.

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