What is a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check involves comparing an individual’s biographic details (such as name and date of birth) with a central index of names, and using a matching algorithm to determine if the individual’s name matches any name that has historical police information. If a match occurs, the name and details will be vetted by the relevant state police force to determine what information, if any, may be disclosed, subject to relevant spent conviction legislation and / or information release policies.

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check can be commonly referred to as a police check, a police clearance, a criminal history check or a background check.