The Google Screened badge helps professional service firms and professional service providers build trusted reputations online. The screening process is free of charge for service providers. Learn more about the screening and verification process.
Businesses with the Google Screened badge have passed license checks (where licenses are required). Some businesses are also required to pass background checks and show proof of insurance. Checks are conducted by Local Service Ads, our trusted partners, or state regulatory bodies. Local Service Ads verifies that professional licenses are current both when businesses join Local Services and periodically on an ongoing basis.
How to tell if a provider has been Google Screened
On Local Services listings, you will find the Google Screened icon 
Who it covers
Firms that provide professional services including Law, Financial Planning, and Real Estate, and providers that work in the Child Care, Preschool, Home Services, Auto Care, Beauty, Wellness, and Miscellaneous category industries are eligible for the Google Screened badge.
How it works
These verification checks provide added peace of mind and ensure that the professionals you work with have been thoroughly vetted.
Real estate agents and brokers
In the US, all real estate agents and brokers that have the Google Screened badge must pass a license check. In the UK, estate agents go through a business registration and an insurance check to obtain the Google Screened badge. Local Services won't require a separate background check in some US states because specific states require real estate agents to undergo a background check to obtain a license. Background checks aren't required in Europe. Learn more about Business screening and verification requirements.
Lawyers
Local Services verifies all active law licenses for all lawyers with the Google Screened badge. Local Services doesn't perform a separate background check on Google Screened lawyers because each US state requires lawyers to undergo a background check to receive a license to practice law.
Financial planners
All Google Screened Financial Planner (including the tax specialist vertical) businesses must pass a business-level background check, a business-owner background check, and each professional in the business must pass a license check, and a background check. Learn more about Business screening and verification requirements.
Child care and preschool service providers
All Google Screened child care service providers must pass a license check. Local Services will not require a separate background check for Google Screened child care service providers because each US state requires child care providers to undergo a routine background check to receive their license.
All professional Preschool service providers and educators with a Google Screened badge must pass a license check. Local Services doesn't perform a separate background check on preschool service providers or educators because each US state requires these service providers and educators to undergo a routine background check to maintain their license.
Wellness providers
All wellness providers that have the Google Screened badge have met background checks, license requirements, and insurance requirements.
Home service providers (some verticals are currently available in California and Florida only)
All home service providers that have the Google Screened badges have met background checks, license requirements, and insurance requirements.
Auto care providers (some verticals are currently available in California and Florida only)
All auto care providers that have the Google Screened badge have met background checks, license requirements, and insurance requirements.
Beauty providers (currently available in California and Florida only)
All beauty providers that have the Google Screened badge have met background checks, license requirements, and insurance requirements.
Miscellaneous category providers (some verticals are currently available in California and Florida only)
All providers in the storage, insurance agency, and cell phone or laptop repair categories that have the Google Screened badge have met background checks, license requirements, and insurance requirements.