What is a Sanctions or Watchlist Check?

Sanctions checks are specialized searches that include several government sanction databases that identify individuals prohibited from certain activities or industries.

For example, an Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) check indicates “specially designated nationals, terrorists, narcotics traffickers, blocked persons and vessels and parties subject to various economic sanctioned programs who are forbidden from conducting business in the United States, as well as entities subject to license requirements because of their proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

Sanctions checks may be performed by many employers and are often required in regulated industries like healthcare and financial services, and for government contractors.

Healthcare Sanctions Checks -

Healthcare sanctions checks generally include a search in a registry of disciplinary actions taken by federal, state and licensing boards and certification agencies. The search results may include debarments, exclusions, probation, and letters of reprimand.