As a mobile notary performing closings, the requests from lenders and title companies for current background checks is nothing new to the notary profession; as noted in the post from Bobbi Shorthouse background checks have been a part of doing business for some time.  However it is a growing concern for notaries because of the recent push to use only a select few preferred vendors instead of a vendor chosen by the notary.  This is seen as a necessity resulting from first Dodd-Frank Act and now the CFPB/Trid requirements.  Many notaries thought this would simply go away, but it has gotten more stringent and tighter over time.

Like Bobbi, I am  sorry to see that abstractors now fall under these requirements, even though, as notary signing agents, the individual is working as an independent contractor and not an employee.  As noted in many of the responses, and much to the chagrin of signing agents, you can choose NOT to get the background check.  But if you go down that road, expect to either fight the good fight or lose business as a result.