The final step of the Safe Play Approval Process is a criminal background screen through the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI). NCSI uses criteria provided by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement (USOPC) that the USTA is required to use to screen for certain offenses. This criteria can be found in the USTA Safe Play Policy. Once your background screen is completed (typically within 5 -10 business days), the number three circle on your USTA account will indicate that you are Approved (Green) or Denied (Red).
What if my background screen is denied?
Your background screen may be denied when NCSI sources records that fall within the USOPC screening criteria. If you receive a red light determination, please do not worry, you have the right to appeal the red light determination.
Part 1: If the Records Are Inaccurate or Incomplete
If you believe the information in the background screen report is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to dispute it with NCSI. Please do not contact the USTA about inaccurately reported records, as it needs to be handled directly with the courts which NCSI will do on your behalf. An appeal for inaccurate or incomplete records must be made to compliance@ncsisafe.com within sixty (60) days of the completion of the screening process.
Please note that NCSI may ask you for proper identification before they file a dispute with the applicable court on your behalf.
Part 2: If the Records Are Accurate
If the records reported by NCSI are accurate, you will need to initiate the appeal process as outlined below. We encourage you to provide us with any information or context that could help the Review Panel make a determination.
Please note that pursuant to the Safe Play Policy, all dispositions or resolutions, other than an adjudication of not guilty, for certain offenses are reportable to the USTA. For example, offenses that have a disposition of guilty, dismissed, no information, or nolle prosequi will show up on the background screen and will need to go through our appeal process as outlined in section below.
The Appeal Process
To initiate an appeal for accurate red light determinations, please submit the following in an email, with the subject line “Background Screen Appeal” to safeplay@usta.com:
- Provide your full name, contact email, phone number and a brief description of the position sought, such as Tournament Director, USTA-certified official or PTR member.
- Provide a reasonable description of the grounds for disqualification (such as what happened leading up to the charge) and any other information that might be useful for the Review Panel to know, including your contributions to the tennis community and recent references.
In making a final determination, the Review Panel will evaluate the circumstances surrounding the disqualifying matter, the dates in which the matter occurred and the overall impact of the matter on the relevant USTA program, event or tournament position sought. The Review Panel may take up to 14 business days to process the appeal once it is received. Notice will be provided to you with the Review Panel’s decision.