Overview On How Far Back Does A Background Check Go?
How far back does a background check go? The depth of a background check can vary, but generally, most background checks will go back 7-10 years.
This includes information like criminal records, driving records, and employment history.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, some states have “ban the box” laws that limit the scope of a paid and free background checks for employment purposes.
Additionally, some industries have different requirements for background checks, so it’s important to check with your employer or industry association to be sure.
It is important to note that federal and state laws may restrict how far back employers can go for certain types of background checks.
For example, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limits the lookback period for most types of consumer information to seven years for employment purposes.
Factors That Can Affect The Lookback Period For A Background Check:
The following factors can affect the lookback period for a background check:
- Type of job: Some jobs, such as those in law enforcement or finance, may require more comprehensive background checks that go back further. These jobs may require background checks that go back 10 years or more.
- Industry: Some industries, such as healthcare and financial services, may also have stricter requirements for background checks. For example, background checks for healthcare workers may go back further to check for any history of medical malpractice or patient abuse.
- State or country: Laws vary from state to state and country to country regarding how far back employers can go for background checks. For example, some states have “ban the box” laws that prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. These states may also have laws that restrict how far back employers can go for criminal background checks.
- Federal laws: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limits the lookback period for most types of consumer information to seven years for employment purposes. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as for jobs that require a security clearance or that involve the handling of money or valuables.
- Company policies: Some companies may have their own policies about how far back to go for background checks. These policies may be more or less restrictive than the law.
In addition to these factors, the lookback period for a background check may also be affected by the following:
- The severity of the offense: For criminal background checks, employers may consider the severity of the offense when deciding how far back to go. For example, they may be more likely to look back further for a serious felony conviction than for a minor misdemeanor.
- The amount of time that has passed since the offense: Employers may also consider the amount of time that has passed since the offense when deciding how far back to go. For example, they may be less likely to hold an old offense against someone who has since rehabilitated themselves.
- The nature of the job: Employers may also consider the nature of the job when deciding how far back to go for a background check. For example, they may be more likely to look back further for a job that involves working with children or vulnerable adults.
If you have any questions about how far back a background check will go, you should contact the employer or the background check company directly.
What’s The Rule And Ban The Box Law In Background Check?
A ban-the-box law prohibits employers from asking about a job applicant’s criminal history on the initial job application.
This means that employers cannot ask job applicants to check a box on the application indicating whether they have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime.
Ban-the-box laws are designed to give people with criminal records a fair chance at employment.
People with criminal records often have difficulty finding jobs, even if they have the skills and qualifications necessary for the position.
This is because employers often make assumptions about people with criminal records, such as assuming that they are more likely to reffed or that they are not trustworthy.
Ban-the-box laws help to break down these stereotypes and give people with criminal records a fair chance to compete for jobs.
They also help to reduce recidivism rates, as people who are able to find employment are less likely to commit crimes again.
Ban-the-box laws vary from state to state and city to city. Some laws only apply to public employers, while others apply to both public and private employers.
Some laws also have different requirements for different types of employers.
For example, some laws may only apply to employers with a certain number of employees.
Here are some examples of how ban-the-box laws are enforced:
- Employers may be fined for violating ban-the-box laws.
- Job applicants may be able to file lawsuits against employers who violate ban-the-box laws.
- Government agencies may investigate and prosecute employers who violate ban-the-box laws.
Ban-the-box laws are a common-sense solution to the problem of mass incarceration in the United States.
They help to give people with criminal records a second chance and help to make our communities safer.
Different Types Of Background Check And How Far Back They Can Go
There are many different types of background checks, and the specific type of check that is performed will vary depending on the purpose of the check and the organization that is conducting it.
Some of the most common types of background checks and how far back they can go include:
1. Criminal Background Check
Criminal background checks typically go back seven to ten years, but some may go back further for certain types of jobs, such as those in law enforcement or finance.
In some cases, criminal background checks may go back indefinitely, such as for jobs that require a security clearance.
It is important to note that employers cannot discriminate against job applicants based on their criminal history.
This means that employers cannot automatically reject an applicant because of a past criminal conviction.
Employers must consider the nature of the conviction, the amount of time that has passed since the conviction, and the relationship of the conviction to the job being applied for.
2. Employment Background Check
Employment background checks are typically conducted by employers on job applicants to verify their employment history, education, and qualifications.
They may also include checks for criminal records, credit history, and driving records.
The length of time that an employment background check can go back varies depending on the type of check, the industry, the job position, and the state or country in which the check is being conducted. In general, employment background checks go back seven to ten years.
3. Education Background Check
Education background checks typically go back to the highest degree earned. This means that an employer could verify your education history from high school through doctoral degrees.
4. Credit Check
Credit background checks typically go back seven years, but some lenders may check credit history further back for certain types of loans.
For example, a lender may check credit history for up to ten years for a mortgage loan.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limits the lookback period for most types of consumer information to seven years for employment purposes.
However, the FCRA does not apply to credit checks for personal loans, mortgages, and other types of loans.
There are a few exceptions to the seven-year lookback period for credit checks. For example, lenders can check credit history for longer than seven years for certain types of business loans and commercial real estate loans.
Additionally, lenders can check credit history for the lifetime of the applicant for certain types of loans, such as student loans.
If you are concerned about how far back a credit background check will go, you should contact the lender directly.
5. Reference Check
Reference background checks are a type of background check that involves contacting the applicant’s previous employers and colleagues to get their feedback on the applicant’s performance, skills, and work ethic.
Reference background checks can be a valuable tool for employers, as they can provide insights into the applicant’s work habits, personality, and fit for the company culture.
Companies like Sterling check and Hireright check conduit reference check and there is no legal limit on how far back employers can go when conducting reference background checks.
However, most employers will only contact references for the applicant’s most recent jobs, typically three to five years. This is because references from older jobs may not be as accurate or relevant.
Employers should also be mindful of the fact that some states have laws that restrict the types of questions that can be asked during reference background checks.
For example, many states prohibit employers from asking about the applicant’s age, race, religion, or marital status.
6. Drug Screening Check
Drug screening background checks can go back as far as the employer wants, but there are some practical considerations that limit how far back most employers go.
Drug screening tests can detect drugs in the body for varying lengths of time, depending on the type of test and the drug being tested for.
For example, urine tests can detect marijuana for up to 30 days after use, while hair follicle tests can detect drugs for up to 90 days or longer.
However, the longer the lookback period for a drug screening background check, the more likely it is that the test will produce a false positive result.
This is because drugs can remain in the body for long periods of time, even after they have been metabolized and excreted.
In addition, the longer the lookback period, the more expensive it is to conduct the drug screening background check.
This is because employers need to pay for the cost of the test itself, as well as the cost of storing and retrieving the results.
7. Driving Record Check
Driving record background checks typically go back three to seven years, depending on the state.
Some states may allow employers to check driving records further back for certain types of jobs, such as those that require commercial driver’s licenses.
8. Professional License Check
Professional license background checks are a bit different from other types of background checks. Typically, these background checks will go back 10 years.
This is because professional licenses are designed to ensure that people in certain professions are qualified to do their jobs.
As a result, it’s important to have a thorough and accurate understanding of someone’s professional history.
Some examples of professions that require professional license background checks include doctors, nurses, lawyers, and teachers.
9. Social Media Check
Social media background checks are relatively new, so there’s not a lot of consensus about how far back they should go.
In general, most social media background checks will go back 3-5 years.
This is because social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn constantly change and evolve, and it can be difficult to track posts and comments from longer ago.
Additionally, many people delete old posts and comments, making it even harder to get an accurate picture of someone’s social media history.
10. International Background Check
International background checks are another type of background check that has its own unique rules and regulations.
Generally, international background checks will go back 5-7 years. However, this can vary depending on the country and the specific job you’re applying for.
For example, in some countries, like Germany, certain crimes will never be removed from someone’s record.
Additionally, some countries have more restrictive privacy laws that make it harder to access certain information.
Conclusion To How Far Back Does A Background Check Go
We have covered a lot of ground here! To recap, According to Checkr, background checks can vary in terms of how far back they go, depending on the type of background check, the state you live in, and the specific job you are applying for.
However, in general, most background checks will go back 7-10 years.
It’s important to understand how background checks work and what information they can include, so you can make informed decisions about your own personal information.