Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about background checks, the screening process, results, and what to expect.
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What shows up on a background check?
A background check may include criminal records, employment history, education, driving records, identity information, drug testing, or other records depending on what the employer requested.
Do I have to give permission for an employer to run my background check?
For most employment background checks conducted by a consumer reporting agency, employers must provide a written disclosure and obtain your authorization before requesting the report.
Can someone else run a background check on me without my permission?
It depends on what type of information they are trying to obtain. Many public records, such as court records, can be searched without your permission. Someone may also use services that compile publicly available information. However, access to certain records is restricted. Driving records are one example, since federal law restricts who may obtain personal information from state motor vehicle records. Consumer reports may also only be obtained or used for permissible purposes under the FCRA, and personal curiosity is not a permissible purpose.
Can employers run a background check before making a job offer?
It depends. Employers generally may conduct a background check before making a job offer. However, some states and cities restrict when criminal history may be requested or considered.
How long does a background check take?
Turnaround time varies depending on the types of searches ordered and the sources involved. Many background checks can be completed within one to three business days, but searches that require manual court record retrieval, international records, or responses from employers or schools can take longer.
Why is my background check taking so long?
A delay does not necessarily mean that a record was found. Some searches require manual court research or responses from employers, schools, government agencies, or other sources. Processing times can also vary by jurisdiction.
Does a national criminal database search cover everything?
No. National criminal databases do not contain every criminal record across the U.S. Additionally, they may contain incomplete or outdated information. Potential records should be verified through the court or other original source before being reported.
What is a county criminal search?
A county criminal search checks criminal records maintained by county courts and is one of the most reliable ways to find criminal case information. It can identify cases that may not appear in national databases and provide current case details and dispositions.
What is a federal criminal search?
A federal criminal search retrieves records from U.S. District Courts, which handle federal offenses such as fraud, tax crimes, drug trafficking, and other violations of federal law. Federal criminal records are separate from state and county court records and require a separate search.
How far back do criminal records show?
How far back criminal records can be reported depends on the type of record and applicable law. Convictions may be reported regardless of age under federal law, although some states limit how long they may be reported. Arrests and other non-conviction records may be subject to shorter reporting limits or prohibited from being reported.
Will an arrest show up on my background check?
It depends on the applicable law and the circumstances of the arrest. Under the FCRA, a consumer reporting agency may not report an arrest that did not result in a conviction if it predates the report by more than 7 years. Some states allow certain arrests to be reported within that period, while others prohibit reporting arrests that did not result in a conviction at all.
Will a dismissed case show up on my background check?
It may. A dismissed case can remain in court records even though it did not result in a conviction. Whether it can be reported on an employment background check depends on applicable federal and state law.
Will an expunged or sealed record show up on my background check?
Generally, expunged or sealed records should not be reported when the law prohibits their disclosure. If an expunged or sealed record appears on your background check, you may have the right to dispute it.
What does disposition mean?
Disposition means the outcome or current status of a case, such as dismissed, convicted, pending, acquitted, or deferred.
What happens if I have a criminal record?
Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you will be denied a job. Employers may consider factors such as the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and whether it relates to the position. Federal, state, and local laws may also limit how criminal records can be used in hiring decisions.
What is an SSN Trace?
An SSN Trace is a tool used to identify names and addresses historically associated with a Social Security number. It is typically used early in the screening process to help determine which jurisdictions to search for criminal records, not as a standalone background check.
What is employment verification?
Employment verification is the process of confirming a person’s previous or current employment, which may include job title, dates of employment, and sometimes other employment details.
Will my current employer be contacted?
Usually not without your agreement. Many authorization forms include a place to indicate that your current employer should not be contacted, and employers commonly honor that request while a job offer is still pending. If no such option is provided, ask the employer or the screening company before the process begins. Verification of a current job can often be completed later, after an offer is accepted, or through paystubs, a W-2, or an offer letter instead.
What is education verification?
Education verification confirms information such as school name, degree, diploma, attendance dates, graduation status, or other education-related details.
What is a motor vehicle report?
A motor vehicle report, or MVR, is a record of a person’s driving history obtained from a state licensing agency. Employers typically request MVRs for positions that involve driving responsibilities. The report may include license status, license class, traffic violations, suspensions, and other driving-related information.
Are credit reports part of the background check?
Some employers request a credit report as part of a background check, particularly for positions involving financial responsibility, access to money or sensitive assets, or fiduciary duties. An employment credit report does not include a credit score. Several states and cities restrict or prohibit the use of credit history in hiring.
What types of drug tests do employers use?
Employers may use urine, saliva, hair, or other testing methods depending on the policy, industry, position, and testing provider.
What is an MRO?
An MRO, or Medical Review Officer, is a licensed physician who reviews certain drug test results and determines whether there is a legitimate medical explanation for the result.
Can a background check include social media?
Some employers review publicly available social media as part of the screening process. Social media can reveal information about protected characteristics that employers generally may not use to make discriminatory hiring decisions. If a consumer reporting agency conducts the social media search, FCRA requirements may also apply.
Can I get a copy of my background check?
Yes. Under the FCRA, applicants have the right to obtain information in their file from the consumer reporting agency. If an employer is considering adverse action based on the report, the employer must also provide you with a copy of the report and a Summary of Your Rights before taking the adverse action.
What if there’s a mistake on my background check?
You have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with the consumer reporting agency that prepared the report. The CRA generally must complete its investigation within 30 days and correct or delete information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified. You may also dispute information with the source that provided it.
Can I run a background check on myself?
Yes. You can request your file from a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA. You can also request your own records from courts, motor vehicle agencies, and other sources, or use a background screening service that offers personal background checks. These may not match an employer’s report exactly, because the searches ordered depend on the employer and the position. Reviewing your own records can help you identify errors or information you may want to address before applying for a job.
Can I be denied a job because of my background check?
An employer may consider background check results as part of a hiring decision, but certain laws limit how criminal history can be used. Some states and cities require employers to conduct an individualized assessment before rejecting an applicant based on a criminal record. If the decision is based in whole or in part on a background check obtained from a consumer reporting agency, the employer must also follow the FCRA adverse action process.
What should I do if the employer says I did not pass my background check?
There is no universal pass or fail standard for a background check. If an employer is considering a negative decision based on your report, review the report carefully and dispute any information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. You may also have the opportunity to provide additional information or context before the employer makes a final decision.
What is pre-adverse action?
Pre-adverse action is the process an employer follows before making a final negative employment decision based in whole or in part on a background check report. The employer provides notice, a copy of the report, and a Summary of Your Rights so the applicant has an opportunity to review the information before the final decision.
What is adverse action?
Adverse action is a negative employment decision based in whole or in part on information in a background check report. If the employer decides to take adverse action after completing the pre-adverse action process, it must provide a final adverse action notice.
What is the FCRA?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that regulates how consumer reports, including many employment background checks, are obtained, used, and shared.
What is a consumer reporting agency?
A consumer reporting agency (CRA) is a company that assembles or evaluates information about individuals and provides consumer reports to employers or others with a permissible purpose. Background screening companies that provide consumer reports for employment purposes are subject to requirements under the FCRA.