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    "result": {"data":{"wpArticle":{"id":"cG9zdDo1MzYyOA==","title":"How Employers Use the National Student Clearinghouse for Degree Verification","content":"<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><em>The National Student Clearinghouse is a nonprofit educational verification hub covering 3,600+ institutions representing 97% of U.S. postsecondary enrollment. Employers rely on this centralized database to verify candidate degrees and enrollment records during hiring processes, helping reduce resume fraud and ensure credential accuracy.</em></strong></p>\n\n<div class=\"key-takeaways\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways</h3><ul><li>NSC maintains records for 3,600+ institutions covering 97% of U.S. postsecondary enrollment</li><li>Employers can verify degrees directly through NSC or via integrated background screening platforms</li><li>Verification turnaround varies: 24-48 hours for direct NSC requests, a few business days via integrated screening platforms</li><li>FCRA compliance required when using educational verification for employment decisions</li></ul></div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-national-student-clearinghouse\">What Is the National Student Clearinghouse?</h2>\n\n<p>Founded in 1993, this organization serves as a centralized educational data repository offering services including DegreeVerify, EnrollmentVerify, and transcript ordering. The network covers 97% of postsecondary students nationwide, making it the most comprehensive degree verification resource available. Given that <a href=\"https://www.amsinform.com/workplace/10-shocking-statistics-about-resume-fraud/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">over 50% of job applicants admit to lying on resumes</a>, with inflated skills and credentials topping the list, employers increasingly depend on <a href=\"https://www.goodhire.com/screening/education-verification/\">education verification services</a> to catch degree misrepresentation.</p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-employers-use-nsc-for-degree-verification\">How Employers Use NSC for Degree Verification</h2>\n\n<p>HR teams have two primary verification options. Direct verification requires creating an NSC employer account, submitting verification requests, and receiving automated responses within 24-48 hours. Alternatively, background screening platforms like <a href=\"https://www.goodhire.com/background-checks/\">GoodHire</a> bundle NSC verification with <a href=\"https://www.goodhire.com/screening/criminal-background-check/\">criminal checks</a> and <a href=\"https://www.goodhire.com/screening/employment-verification/\">employment history</a> for streamlined hiring workflows.</p>\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table no-filter\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Verification Method</th><th>Turnaround Time</th><th>Cost Structure</th><th>Additional Checks</th><th>FCRA Compliance Support</th><th>Best For</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Direct NSC Verification</td><td>24-48 hours</td><td>Per-verification fee</td><td>Degree only</td><td>Manual</td><td>Low-volume hiring</td></tr><tr><td>Integrated Background Screening (e.g., GoodHire)</td><td>A few business days</td><td>Bundled pricing</td><td>Criminal, employment, education</td><td>Automated</td><td>Comprehensive screening</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>\n\n\n<p>Typical use cases include pre-employment screening, credential verification for regulated industries, and academic position hiring.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\n  <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"streamline-degree-verification-with-integrated-background-checks\">Streamline Degree Verification With Integrated Background Checks</h3>\n  <p>Rather than managing NSC verification separately from criminal and employment checks, <a href=\"https://goodhire.com\">explore GoodHire&#8217;s integrated background screening platform</a> that bundles educational verification with comprehensive pre-employment checks and automated FCRA compliance support.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"compliance-requirements-for-hr-teams\">Compliance Requirements for HR Teams</h2>\n\n<p>When using educational verification for employment decisions, <a href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/04/background-checks-prospective-employees-keep-required-disclosures-simple\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FCRA requirements mandate specific disclosures and candidate authorization</a>. Employers must provide clear written notice before obtaining background screening reports and secure written consent. If discrepancies arise, <a href=\"https://www.goodhire.com/background-checks/compliance-features/\">adverse action procedures</a> require notifying candidates and allowing time to dispute findings. Background screening platforms handle these compliance steps automatically, while direct NSC verification requires manual FCRA adherence.</p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\n  <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"simplify-fcra-compliance-for-educational-verification\">Simplify FCRA Compliance for Educational Verification</h3>\n  <p>Navigating disclosure requirements, candidate authorization, and adverse action procedures manually adds complexity to your hiring process. <a href=\"https://goodhire.com\">See how GoodHire automates FCRA compliance</a> while delivering 90% of criminal checks in under 1 minute, backed by US-based FCRA-certified support specialists.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"best-practices-for-employers\">Best Practices for Employers</h2>\n\n<ol><li>Verify all claimed degrees, not just the highest credential</li><li>Check institutional accreditation to <a href=\"https://www.goodhire.com/resources/articles/what-are-diploma-mills-do-they-lead-to-resume-lies/\">identify diploma mills</a></li><li>Apply consistent verification policies across all candidates</li><li>Consider integrated platforms for efficiency and built-in compliance support</li></ol>\n\n<p>For comprehensive background screening that includes degree verification alongside criminal and employment checks, <a href=\"https://www.goodhire.com/get-started/\">Get Started</a> with GoodHire&#8217;s FCRA-compliant platform.</p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"Block FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock\">\n\n  \n      <details>\n      <summary>\n        What does the National Student Clearinghouse do?      </summary>\n\n      <div class=\"FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock-answer\">\n        \n\n<p>The National Student Clearinghouse serves as a centralized educational data repository that enables employers, institutions, and students to verify degrees, enrollment status, and academic credentials across 3,600+ participating colleges and universities representing 97% of U.S. postsecondary enrollment.</p>\n\n\n      </div>\n\n    </details>\n  </div>\n\n\n<div class=\"Block FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock\">\n\n  \n      <details>\n      <summary>\n        How long does National Student Clearinghouse verification take?      </summary>\n\n      <div class=\"FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock-answer\">\n        \n\n<p>Automated degree verification requests through the clearinghouse typically process within 24-48 hours, though turnaround times may vary depending on whether the institution participates in electronic data exchange or requires manual confirmation.</p>\n\n\n      </div>\n\n    </details>\n  </div>\n\n\n<div class=\"Block FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock\">\n\n  \n      <details>\n      <summary>\n        Is the National Student Clearinghouse free for employers?      </summary>\n\n      <div class=\"FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock-answer\">\n        \n\n<p>Employers pay a per-verification fee when using NSC&#8217;s DegreeVerify service directly, though costs vary based on volume and whether verification is bundled through integrated background screening platforms that offer package pricing.</p>\n\n\n      </div>\n\n    </details>\n  </div>\n\n\n<div class=\"Block FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock\">\n\n  \n      <details>\n      <summary>\n        Can I download transcripts from the National Student Clearinghouse?      </summary>\n\n      <div class=\"FrequentlyAskedQuestionBlock-answer\">\n        \n\n<p>Yes, students can order and download official transcripts through the clearinghouse&#8217;s transcript service by accessing the Download Center link provided in the confirmation email sent after placing an order.</p>\n\n\n      </div>\n\n    </details>\n  </div>\n\n\n<div class=\"Block DisclaimerBlock\" title=\"DisclaimerBlock\" description=\"The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.\n\">\n\n\t\n  <div class=\"Block DisclaimerBlock-content\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"DisclaimerBlock-title\">\n\t\t\t\tDisclaimer\t\t\t</div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"DisclaimerBlock-description\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.</p>\n\t\t\t</div>\n\t\t\n\t</div>\n\n\t\n</div>\n\n\n<div class=\"Block u-textAlign--center u-textColor--lightBlack is-default HeaderBlock has-h2\">\n\n  \n  <div>\n\n    \n          <h2 class=\"HeaderBlock-title  h2\" id=\"get-a-background-check-today\">Get A Background Check Today</h2>\n    \n    \n          <a href=\"/get-started/\" target=\"\" class=\"cta is-default Button reverse\">\n        Get Started      </a>\n        \n\n  </div>\n\n  \n</div>","date":"2026-04-16T07:00:00","tableOfContentsGraphQL":"<ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-the-national-student-clearinghouse\"><span>What Is the National Student Clearinghouse?</span></a></li><li><a href=\"#how-employers-use-nsc-for-degree-verification\"><span>How Employers Use NSC for Degree Verification</span></a></li><li><a href=\"#compliance-requirements-for-hr-teams\"><span>Compliance Requirements for HR Teams</span></a></li><li><a href=\"#best-practices-for-employers\"><span>Best Practices for Employers</span></a></li><li><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\"><span>Frequently Asked Questions</span></a></li></ul>","author":{"node":{"firstName":"GoodHire","lastName":null,"name":"GoodHire","overviewSocialMedia":{"patternsSocialMedia":[{"fieldGroupName":"User_Overviewsocialmedia_PatternsSocialMedia_LinkedinIn","patternsSocialMediaLinkedinInUrl":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/goodhire"},{},{}]},"authorInfo":{"bio":"<p>The GoodHire team keeps customers informed about important news relating to background checks and employment 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