NBI vs National Police Clearance: The Gap in Your Maid Pro's Background Check
Most families think one "clearance" is enough. Here's why that single document could be leaving serious blind spots in your family's security.
You're about to hand over your house keys to a stranger. They'll know when you're home, when you're not, where you keep valuables, and most importantly—they'll be alone with your children.
Your maid agency shows you a "clearance." You feel relieved.
You shouldn't be.
The uncomfortable truth is that in the Philippines, not all clearances are equal. Relying on just one document can leave serious blind spots in your family's security.
While many agencies rely on the fastest or cheapest option, professional providers like MaidProvider.ph follow a stricter standard:
Every applicant must pass both an NBI Clearance check and a National Police Clearance (NPC) check.
If your agency is not doing both, you're only seeing half of the applicant's national history.
This guide explains:
- The three levels of screening (and which ones really matter)
- Why NBI and NPC are different—but both essential
- The exact questions you should ask any maid agency before you hire
The Three Levels of Screening (And Why Two Are Non-Negotiable)
To set a clear standard, let's break down the three common "clearance" levels used for maid pros and household professionals in the Philippines.
Level 1 Basic Local Clearance – A Dealbreaker if It's the Only One
Examples:
- Barangay Clearance
- Old-style Local Police Clearance (LPC)
What it checks:
Only the applicant's records within that single, small local area.
The problem:
- Does not show cases from neighboring cities
- Does not show cases from previous places of residence (like the province where they grew up)
- Very easy to obtain, often used as a "shortcut" proof of being "clear"
If your applicant had theft charges in Quezon City but lives in Pasay, it won't show up. If they were involved in a domestic incident in their home province, it's invisible.
✅ Local clearances should only be supporting documents.
❌ If an agency relies only on barangay or local police clearance, you're not working with a professional screening operation. Period.
Level 2 National Police Clearance (NPC) – The Nationwide Police Check
Issuing authority:
Philippine National Police (PNP), through the National Police Clearance System (NPCS).
What it checks:
- Centralized, nationwide PNP database
- Police blotter entries
- Ongoing police investigations
- Reports from police stations and precincts across the country
What it's best at:
Flagging records that are still within the police system, including recent blotters and ongoing investigations.
NPC answers the question: "Is this person currently under any active police blotter or investigation anywhere in the country?"
Level 3 NBI Clearance – The Gold Standard of Legal History
Issuing authority:
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
What it checks:
- Court-filed cases nationwide
- Judicial and prosecutorial records
- Cases that have gone through the formal legal process (even if later dismissed, settled, or archived)
What it's best at:
- Showing formal legal history (cases that reached the courts)
- Reflecting final dispositions: guilty, acquitted, dismissed, etc.
NBI answers the question: "Has this person ever been involved in a case that reached the courts?"
Why You Must Demand Both NBI and National Police Clearance
Here's the key point that many families—and even some agencies—miss:
The NBI and the National Police are separate government bodies with separate databases. One cannot fully replace the other.
Here's What This Looks Like in Practice
An applicant shows up with a clean NBI Clearance from 2024. You feel confident. But the National Police Clearance reveals a domestic disturbance blotter entry from three months ago that's still under investigation—no court case filed yet, so the NBI database doesn't show it.
Or the reverse: Clean National Police Clearance, but the NBI flags a 2021 estafa case that was filed, went to court, and was eventually dismissed. The police system no longer tracks it, but the judicial record remains.
This is why one check isn't enough.
They Complement Each Other Like This:
| Scenario | NBI Clearance Result | National Police Clearance Result | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case filed in court (e.g., theft, swindling) | HIT or CLEARED (with case history) | HIT or CLEARED (may reflect related records) | NBI shows court history and outcomes. This is where you see if charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in conviction. |
| Recent police blotter / investigation (not yet filed in court) | Often CLEARED (no court case yet) | HIT (shows active or recent derogatory record) | NPC catches fresh incidents that haven't reached the courts yet—this could be the most urgent red flag. |
| Old resolved case from years ago | Often HIT / shows historical record | May not show an active record | NBI maintains longer-term records. NPC focuses on active police matters. |
The Bottom Line:
- If you check only NBI, you may miss very recent blotter entries or ongoing police investigations.
- If you check only NPC, you may miss older, serious court cases that are no longer active in the police system but still part of the person's legal history.
By requiring both, your agency gives you:
- Two independent national-level filters
- A drastically reduced chance of missing a critical part of the applicant's past
- A higher standard of protection for your home and family
An agency that uses both NBI and NPC is not just "complying"—it's practicing real due diligence.
What If a Clearance Shows a "Hit"?
A "hit" doesn't automatically disqualify someone—context matters.
- Case was dismissed or resolved in the applicant's favor
- Incident was minor, non-violent, and happened many years ago
- Full explanation was provided and verified
- Any case involving violence, especially against children or elderly
- Theft, fraud, or dishonesty-related offenses
- Recent serious blotter entries (within past 2 years)
- Failure to disclose known cases during interview
The key is transparency. A good agency will explain any hits clearly, provide documentation, and let you make an informed decision—not hide them or hope you don't ask.
How to Vet a Maid Agency Like a Pro
When you talk to an agency, don't be shy about asking very specific questions. You are trusting them with your home, your kids, and your peace of mind.
Use this simple screening checklist:
1. "What clearances do you require from every maid pro?"
"We require both NBI Clearance and National Police Clearance for all applicants."
🚩 Red flags:
- "Barangay clearance only."
- "Local police clearance is enough."
- "NBI is optional, only if the client requests it."
2. "Is the police clearance local or national?"
"We use National Police Clearance (NPC) issued through the PNP's national system."
🚩 Be cautious if:
- They just say "police clearance" with no mention of NPC.
- They cannot explain the difference between local police clearance and NPC.
3. "Is NBI Clearance mandatory for all applicants you deploy?"
"Yes, every maid pro must have a valid NBI Clearance before deployment."
🚩 Red flags:
- "We only ask for NBI sometimes."
- "We skip NBI if the local clearance is clean."
4. "How recent are the clearances? Do you re-check them over time?"
Documents are recent (not years old). Long-term or returning helpers are required to renew clearances regularly.
Outdated clearances mean you're looking at an old version of the person's history—not their current risk profile.
5. "Can I see copies of both clearances before the placement?"
"Yes, we provide copies of both NBI and NPC for every candidate we recommend."
🚩 Red flags:
- "We keep those on file but don't share them."
- "You can see them, but only after you've committed."
- Any hesitation or vague response.
Professional agencies have nothing to hide.
What MaidProvider.ph Does Differently
We don't treat dual clearances as an "option" or an "add-on."
Our standard, for every single household professional:
- Valid NBI Clearance (renewed regularly)
- Valid National Police Clearance through PNP's national system
- Both documents verified for authenticity
- Any "hits" fully disclosed and explained before placement
- Copies provided to clients for review
This is why our screening process takes longer than budget agencies. It's also why families who refuse to compromise on safety choose us.
We believe you deserve to see both clearances—not just hear that they exist.
A responsible maid agency will be able to clearly explain:
- The difference between barangay, local police, National Police Clearance (NPC), and NBI Clearance
- Why both NBI and NPC are required for every applicant
- How they verify that the documents are authentic and up-to-date
That is what real, professional vetting looks like.
Make Dual-National Clearance Your Personal Minimum Standard
Anyone can say "we do background checks." Very few can prove that they go beyond the bare minimum.
For your family's safety, make this your personal rule:
- Barangay / Local Clearance alone? Not enough.
- Only NPC? You might miss long-term court history.
- Only NBI? You might miss fresh, serious cases still under investigation.
- Both NBI + NPC? You get the most complete, nationwide view of your future helper's legal and police history.
🎯 Your Next Step: Demand the Full Picture
Before you sign with any maid agency, ask these two non-negotiable questions:
- "Do you require National Police Clearance (NPC)—not just local police clearance—for every applicant?"
- "Is NBI Clearance mandatory for every maid pro you deploy, or is it optional?"
If they hesitate, dodge, or can't explain the difference, walk away.
At MaidProvider.ph, we provide:
- ✓ Copies of both NBI and NPC for every candidate
- ✓ Clear explanations of any hits or derogatory records
- ✓ No shortcuts, no expired documents, no exceptions
Because your home, your children, and your peace of mind are worth nothing less than the full story.
- They can't explain the difference between NBI and NPC
- They say "clearance" without specifying which type
- They offer to "expedite" the process (genuine clearances can't be rushed)
- They don't show you copies of actual clearance documents
- They claim "local clearance is enough for domestic workers"
- They get defensive when you ask specific questions