Background
Check Policy
1. IntroductionUSA Gymnastics requires background searches for individuals involved with our
programs to ensure a safe and secure environment for participants and members.
Consistent with our responsibility to protect the best interest of the participants in the
sport of gymnastics, USA Gymnastics has selected the National Center for Safety
Initiatives (NCSI) to perform background checks on all Professional Members as a
prerequisite for membership.
2. Individuals Subject to Background Check
Background searches shall be conducted concerning all Professional Members of USA
Gymnastics. All new Professional Members shall have a background search completed
as a condition for membership in USA Gymnastics. Current Professional Members shall
have a background check completed as a condition for continued membership in USA
Gymnastics. The background check for current Professional Members will be performed
every two years at the time of their membership renewal.
Background searches shall also be conducted concerning all USA Gymnastics Board
Members, Executive Committee Members, and USA Gymnastics staff members upon
their initial appointment, election, or hire and every 2 years thereafter.
3. Search Organization
The National Center for Safety Initiatives ("NCSI")
shall be the authorized search organization that performs
background searches for USA Gymnastics. NCSI is a full service
screening organization that works in accordance with the
Recommended Guidelines established by the National Council
on Youth Sports ("NCYS"). NCSI operates as an independent
company, but is owned and governed in partnership with NCYS.
In addition to conducting the background search, NCSI shall be responsible for
interpreting the search results, communicating with the applicant regarding the search
result, and reporting to USA Gymnastics all search results. NCSI will also be
responsible for complying with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and maintaining the
confidentiality of information obtained throughout the background search process.
4. Registration for Background Check
NCSI will develop a background check authorization
and disclosure form for USA Gymnastics members via a secure
website. NCSI will provide USA Gymnastics with the website
information so that USA Gymnastics can communicate with
its members on how to access the site and register for a
background check. Each member must complete the online background
check authorization and disclosure form prior to registration
for a background check with NCSI.
5. Information to be Checked
All individuals screened for USA Gymnastics shall undergo a background check that
includes:
- Two independent national databases;
- Sex offender registries of all available states;
- Social Security Number and address verification;
- Federal terrorist database search; and
- Non-database (county courthouse runner) searches of
county criminal records of all jurisdictions of residence.
6. Findings
NCSI will issue results to the applicant and
USA Gymnastics based on a "Red Light/Green Light" system.
A "Green Light" or "meets the criteria" finding indicates
an individual is suitable for participation in USA Gymnastics
with regard to the background search. A "Red Light" finding
means the individual "does not meet the criteria". If questions
arise concerning a background search, the applicant will
be contacted by NCSI and provided with an opportunity to
correct potential errors in the applicant's record or to
provide additional information prior to issuing a "Red Light".
In such situations USA Gymnastics may also be contacted.
A conviction (or the entry of any plea of guilty or no contest)
or disclosure from an applicant that contains the following
information will be flagged as a "Red Light" or "does not
meet the criteria":
- Any felony (any crime punishable by confinement of greater than one year);
- Any lesser crime involving force or threat of force against a person;
- Any lesser crime in which sexual relations is an element, including "victimless"
crimes of a sexual nature (including pornography);
- Any lesser crime involving controlled substances (not paraphernalia or alcohol);
- Any lesser crime involving cruelty to animals; or
- Any sex offender registrant.
Additionally, the following information will result in further investigation involving the
applicant and the appropriate courts, which will then lead to a determination of either a
"Red Light" or a "Green Light":
- An arrest for a criterion offenses with no disposition noted;
- An expunction, restoration of rights, or pardon relating to a criterion offense;
- Any charge involving a minor resulting in a disposition favorable to the applicant;
or
- An arrest or conviction where it is not readily apparent if drugsˇ or alcohol were
involved.
The above criteria are contained within the guidelines developed by the (NCYS
and have been adopted by NCSI. The NCYS considers the criteria
for a "Red Light" or "does not meet the criteria" findings
to be consistent with the principles of the federal PROTECT
Act of 2003.
7. Review of Background Search Findings
Should an applicant contest the content of a record provided to the applicant as part of
the USA Gymnastics background search, the applicant may seek an appeal of the
record with NCSI pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
USA Gymnastics will use the determinations provided by NCSI, in accordance with the
USA Gymnastics Bylaws Article 9 Membership, to determine an individual's eligibility for
membership in USA Gymnastics. Should an individual contest a USA Gymnastics
decision to deny participation based upon a "Red Light" finding resulting from the
background search, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision pursuant to Article
10 of the USA Gymnastics Bylaws.
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