Is Checking the State Sex Offender Registry Enough Screening?
Checking your state’s sex offender registry is better than no screening, but it has some serious limitations. It would be time consuming to check the registry in each state, and many sex offenders do move frequently. Additionally, most registries rely on sex offenders who voluntarily register their address. Further, many states limit the registries to only the most violent or serious offenses. At the least, a volunteer organization should be sure to understand the limitations of the registry in each state being searched. A more thorough method is to hire a professional background screening service with the knowledge and expertise to provide a more comprehensive background search.