Google Screened professionals have passed extensive background and license checks conducted by Local Services Ads, our trusted partners, or state and/or regulatory bodies. Local Services Ads verifies that their professional licenses are current.
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
How to tell if a provider has been Google Screened
On Local Services listings, you will see the Google Screened icon next to these businesses.
Who it covers
Firms that provide professional services including Law, Financial Planning, and Real Estate, and providers that work in the Child Care or Preschool 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
All real estate agents and brokers that have the Google Screened badge must pass a license check. Local Services will not require a separate background check in some U.S. states because specific states require real estate agents to undergo a background check in order to obtain a license. See Requirements by category for state-specific details.
Lawyers
Local Services verifies all active law licenses for all lawyers with the Google Screened badge. Local Services does not perform a separate background check on Google Screened lawyers because each U.S. state requires lawyers to undergo a background check in order 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. See Requirements by category for details.
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 U.S. 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 does not perform a separate background check on preschool service providers/ educators because each U.S. state requires these service providers and educators to undergo a routine background check to maintain their license.