License verification is necessary to ensure that job applicants are who they say they are, and that they possess the skills and educational experience necessary to perform the tasks required. If a hospital gives surgical privileges to someone who doesn’t have valid credentials, the medical facility could be exposed to lawsuits and sanctions. Colleges and universities could lose accreditation if they allow instructors without proper degrees to teach some courses.
Whether verifying medical licensing, education diplomas or technical certifications, businesses face unique challenges today. We live in a mobile society where people aren’t moving just across a state, but across the country and from country to country — and frequently. Identity theft and fraud are more prevalent than ever, and it can be difficult to gather information due to strict privacy laws governing personal data.
Here are five common challenges businesses face today when attempting to verify licenses:
No. 1: Applicant may misrepresent education facts in error. Misrepresenting the facts is when a candidate “accidentally” provides false information on an application without intent to deceive. This could be in the form of estimating a graduation date from college or entering an incorrect address or phone number for an institution of higher learning. Erroneous information on an application can prevent you from being able to verify that the applicant actually graduated from medical school or completed a state bar exam.
No. 2: Job candidates may misrepresent certification. Without complete address and phone information for previous employers, it is extremely difficult to verify experience. The candidate may exaggerate the worth of an earned license or certification during the interview or on the formal application. For example, while most airlines hiring pilots would require a minimum of 1,000 hours experience, it is possible to get an aviator’s license in India after only 35 minutes in the cockpit, according to a 2015 Bloomberg Technology article.
No. 3: Potential workers may overstate their past levels of responsibility or the overall scope of jobs previously held. It is very important to utilize license verification protocol when you suspect the applicant provided information that may be incorrect or incomplete.
No. 4: Professional license verification is difficult because previous employers may have relocated or gone out of business. A seasoned veteran with two or three decades of experience may list one or more organizations that have closed their doors and no longer are operating. Human resource agents may want to engage professional license verification services to fact-check the existence of the previous employer and possibly track down a supervisor or human resource agent who remembers the applicant in question.
No. 5: Conducting extensive background and screening checks is time-consuming. Some organizations do not have a dedicated staff member to request original documents, supporting letters of recommendation and other license verification tools. And unfortunately, there are cases where nonspecific background checks become even more important than usual, because of a change in verifiable requirements. For instance, some states have reduced educational requirements for teachers due to large shortages in critical areas.
More Challenges
There are other challenges organizations face when trying to verify licensure and certifications:
* Gathering information across state lines is often challenging due to strict privacy laws.
* Some agencies, associations and educational facilities charge document fees and require written requests via traditional mail, which costs your organization time and money.
* Online databases are good sources of information, but it can be challenging to locate and access the correct database quickly.
Global Verification Network Can Help
The most cost-effective, efficient solution for many organizations today is to partner with a company offering reputable license verification services. Professional license verification providers assist airline companies, medical organizations and legal teams carefully vet potential employees. Some of the key services offered include:
* Contacting professional associations directly to check the applicant’s certification level and status within the organization.
* Online verification using industry databases and community portals.
* Requesting original documents as proof of education or employment.
* Making contact with academic institutions to confirm educational credentials match the applicant’s assertions.
Global Verification Network has the resources and technology to help you make sure the applicants on your shortlist are qualified and licensed to join your staff and start working.
Sources:
http://cjonline.com/news/2014-06-25/state-education-board-loosens-teacher-licensing-rules
http://blog.providertrust.com/blog/three-common-nuances-in-healthcare-license-verification-process
http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/adt-vrf/rprt/2010/vec-vae/index-eng.htm