Employment Screening Resources (ESR)
- Founded
- 1997-01-01 in Sacramento, California
- Headquarters
- Alpharetta, Georgia
- hudson@esrcheck.com
- Phone
- (415) 898-0044
Employment Screening Resources (ESR) was a pioneering background screening firm founded in 1997 by attorney Lester S. Rosen. For more than two decades, ESR provided comprehensive pre-employment background checks, drug testing, and compliance solutions to employers across the United States and internationally. The company was known for its strong emphasis on legal compliance, accuracy, and speed, operating under the tagline “People Matter. Make Good Choices.” It served a wide range of industries, from healthcare and education to finance and technology, and was accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). In December 2021, ESR was acquired by ClearStar, a global human resources technology company specializing in background checks, drug testing, and occupational health screening. Following the acquisition, ESR became a “service offering of ClearStar.” The original ESR website (esrcheck.com) was maintained for a two-year grace period before being sunset in 2024. Today, background screening services that were once offered under the ESR brand are delivered through ClearStar’s platform, which continues to operate out of Alpharetta, Georgia, and serves clients with an expanded suite of human capital integrity solutions.
Detailed Review
History
Employment Screening Resources was founded by attorney Les Rosen in 1997. Rosen had previously served as a criminal defense attorney and later became a leading authority on the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and background screening compliance. Under his leadership, ESR grew into a nationally recognized firm, earning a reputation for its “Best Practice Standards” publications and thought leadership in the industry.
Business Model & Products
The company’s core products included criminal background checks, employment and education verifications, drug and alcohol testing, driver screening, credit reports, and international screening. ESR also developed an integrated platform that allowed clients to submit background check requests and receive status updates seamlessly via integrations with applicant tracking systems like Lever.
Acquisition by ClearStar
The acquisition by ClearStar in late 2021 marked a significant transition. ClearStar, a seven-time Inc. 5000 honoree and a founding member of the PBSA, integrated ESR’s technology and client base into its own platform, now offering a broader set of solutions including employee monitoring, social media screening, and occupational health screening under the ClearStar brand. As of 2026, the ESR brand is no longer actively marketed; its web portal is read-only, and the company’s former headquarters in Novato, California, has been replaced by ClearStar’s headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Legacy
For historical reporting purposes, ESR remains a notable entity in the background screening space, particularly for its compliance-focused approach and the leadership of its founder. Current headcount for the ESR division is listed as 51–200 employees (LinkedIn), though the overall ClearStar organization employs a larger workforce.
Key Products
Background Checks
Comprehensive criminal record searches, identity verification, and county, state, and federal database checks.
Drug & Occupational Health
Includes ClearMD platform for drug testing scheduling, real‑time updates, and occupational health screening.
Pre-Employment Screening
Integrated screening platform that moves candidates from invite to hire with speed and compliance.
Employee Monitoring
Continuous monitoring of existing employees for new criminal records and other risk indicators.
Social Media Screening
AI‑enhanced analysis of public social media content to flag risky patterns.
Smart Screen by Equifax
Instant criminal background checks powered by Equifax, delivering compliant “no records found” results within seconds.
Employment & Education Verifications
Verification of past employment dates, job titles, and academic credentials.
Driver Screening
Motor vehicle record checks and driver history reviews.
Reference Checking
Structured reference interviews to validate candidate qualifications.
Offices & Headcount
100 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Lester S. Rosen
Founder & Former CEO