In the interest of student safety, the REC Foundation requires background checks for US-based coaches, Event Partners, and Event Administrators.
Before you get started:
If I have a completed background check in RobotEvents, do I need to apply again for RECFevents?
No, you do not need to apply again. Please use the same email address when creating your new RECFevents account. The REC Foundation will automatically match your accounts and transfer your background check.
Important: Do not order a new background check. Please allow 2–3 business days for the transfer to be completed.
Are you up for a Renewal with RECF?
If time for renewal, your account with RECF will reflect an expiration date and you would be able to log into your Sterling Volunteers account to RENEW your background check.
Have you ever completed a background check with Sterling Volunteers for another organization?
If your previous Sterling Volunteers background check was processed for another organization, you can SHARE your background check with the REC Foundation for review. Please visit this Sterling Volunteers page for assistance.
When searching, please use
ROBOTICS EDUCATION AND COMPETITION FOUNDATION
TEXAS
Do you have questions regarding the background check process with the REC Foundation?
Please visit the Background Check FAQ or contact your Regional Support Manager (RSM).
Step 1: Log into RECFevents.org
IMPORTANT: Beginning May 2025, the Aerial Drone Competition will use RECFevents.org for team and event registration.
If you previously or currently have an account on RobotEvents, please create a new account on RECFevents.org using the same email address and team number(s). This will enable RECF to match your accounts and transfer background checks.
New Users
- Click "New to RECF Events"
- Enter your information and click "Register" (see important note above)
- Verify your email address (be sure to check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see the email)
- Make sure to put in your proper name, birthdate, and other information, otherwise you may experience delays in the background check process.
Returning users
Click "Log In"
Step 2: Order Background Check
IMPORTANT: If you previously completed a background check in RobotEvents, Please DO NOT ORDER a new background check. The RECF Support Team will update your status manually.
Returning Coach or Event Partner
Please use the same email address when creating your new account in RECFevents. RECF will automatically match your accounts and transfer your background check. Please DO NOT ORDER a new background check Please allow 2–3 business days for this process to be completed.
New Coach or Event Partner
If you are new to RECF and will be a primary coach, secondary coach, financial contact or event partner, then you will need to complete the background check. Click on Order Background Check. New background checks typically take 2-10 days to process.
Step 3: Confirm your information in Sterling Volunteers
Once you have completed all the steps within RECFevents you will be redirected to Sterling Volunteers to confirm your information again.
Step 4: Error Message - Information does not match
We are aware of the issue where some users are getting an error message "Information does not match" when attempting to complete the background check. If this happens please do the following:
- Log into your RECFevents account, select begin background check.
- On the Welcome to Sterling Volunteers welcome screen
- Enter your information and select continue 3 times
- After the 3rd time, a skip verify button will appear.
- Select skip verify.
- This should allow you to complete the process.
If this does not work, please submit a help ticket and someone from our support team will be in touch.
“Please note you may receive correspondence from @fadv.co, @fadv.com or sterlingcheck.com email domains, as Sterling has been acquired by First Advantage. To ensure you receive all communications, please update your email filters accordingly.”
Thank you for your patience.
Step 5: Complete the 1st step within Sterling Volunteers
- Step 1 of 4 within Sterling Volunteers requires your personal information.
- * denotes required fields
- You are NOT required to provide your social security number. If you choose not to provide this information, please select the checkbox beside ‘No SSN’ option.
Step 6: Complete the 2nd step within Sterling Volunteers
- Step 2 of 4 within Sterling Volunteers requires your personal address of residence.
Step 7: Complete the 3rd step within Sterling Volunteers
- Step 3 of 4 asks for you to review and acknowledge the required notices.
Step 8: Complete the final items within Sterling Volunteers
- The last step, Step 4 of 4, within Sterling Volunteers is to select the option to donate to cover the cost of your background check and then input your payment details and submit your background check order OR select the option for no donation and submit your order.
What's next?
Background checks typically take 2-10 business days for processing.
- Once your background check has fully processed, your RECFevents account will update from ✖ to ✔ in the background check status on the left side menu of your account.
- If it has been longer than 10 business days or if you have questions, please reach out to your Regional Support Manger
- If you have questions regarding the background check process with RECF, please visit the Background Check FAQ.