Background checks for volunteers are good for 15 months.  When you're within 3 months of the expiration date, you can start the renewal process.  

You can submit a renewal when you see an ! next to "Risk Status" on the volunteer tab, or "Risk Status" says "Expired":




To start a new background check (needed yearly):

• Log in to this website
• Go to Volunteer section of My Account
• If "Risk Status" says None or Expired you can start a background check.  If it says Green but there's an exclamation point next to it (!) like the screen shot above, then you can also start your renewal.  
• Check the box next to Risk Status (on the left)
• Click the Renew & Update button
• Fill out the form that comes up and click the Submit button - there may be more than one form or submit step
  
• Check your email for a message from Sterling Volunteers - you should get an email when it's complete.  They also send emails if there are issues.
  
• You do NOT need to pay for the background check; the organization covers the fees