Background Check API Integration: Developer Guide for ATS and HRIS Systems

Why Integrate Background Checks Into Your ATS?

Manual background check processes create friction at the worst possible moment — after you've found the perfect candidate and need to move fast. API integration eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and allows background checks to be initiated directly from your applicant tracking system or HRIS with a single click.

VerifAI API Overview

VerifAI's RESTful API provides programmatic access to all screening services. The API uses JSON for request and response payloads, OAuth 2.0 for authentication, and webhooks for real-time status updates.

Key Endpoints

POST /api/v1/screenings — Initiate a new background check. Provide candidate information, select screening package, and receive a screening ID for tracking.

GET /api/v1/screenings/:id — Retrieve the current status and results of a screening. Returns risk score, findings, and recommendations when complete.

POST /api/v1/webhooks — Register a webhook URL to receive real-time notifications when screening status changes (initiated, in-progress, completed, requires-review).

GET /api/v1/packages — List available screening packages with pricing and included check types.

Webhook Events

Webhooks eliminate the need for polling. Register your endpoint and receive real-time notifications for screening.initiated, screening.completed, screening.requires_review, adverse_action.required, and dispute.filed events.

Integration Best Practices

1. **Use webhooks instead of polling** — Webhooks provide real-time updates without the overhead of repeated API calls

2. **Store screening IDs** — Map VerifAI screening IDs to your internal candidate records for easy cross-referencing

3. **Handle errors gracefully** — Implement retry logic with exponential backoff for transient failures

4. **Secure your webhook endpoint** — Verify webhook signatures to ensure requests are genuinely from VerifAI

5. **Test in sandbox first** — Use our sandbox environment to test your integration before going live

Popular ATS Integrations

VerifAI offers pre-built integrations with Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, BambooHR, iCIMS, and Bullhorn. For other ATS platforms, our API makes custom integration straightforward.