Elements of a
Background Check
for Employment Screening
Background Checks allow employers to verify freely volunteered information provided by applicants. Following are the most common background check elements available to employers. Through careful use of the information provided by proper background checks, employers greatly reduce or eliminate serious legal and employee problems -- creating a more careful, comprehensive applicant screening process.
Employee Criminal Background Checks:
County Criminal Records Check -- Felony And Misdemeanor:
Most criminal cases are prosecuted and stored at county courts. These cases are violations of state criminal codes. Use this check as the foundation for inquiry into the applicant's criminal history. Click for more information.Federal Criminal Records Check:
Federal crimes and crimes committed on federal property are prosecuted in federal district courts. Use this check to broaden and make more complete your inquiry into the applicant's criminal history. Click for more information.'Nation-Wide' Criminal Database Check and 'State-Wide' Criminal Records Check:
Criminal record databases are notoriously incomplete. They cover only selected counties and date ranges and are compiled from various sources. However, they are a useful supplement to County Criminal Record checks. Use Nationwide and Statewide searches to extend the inquiry beyond the known states and counties of residence, school, and work. This increases the probability of finding possible convictions. For example, an applicant may have been charged with a crime in another state or in other counties while traveling on business or vacationing. Possible cases must be verified at the court with jurisdiction. Click for more information about the 'Nation-Wide' Criminal Database Check and the 'State-Wide' Criminal Records Check.National Wants and Warrants:
This search is an important supplement to County Criminal Record checks. Check for outstanding warrants for serious (extraditable) offenses. Note: We only run a National Wants and Warrants as part of a complete background check and not as a stand-alone search. Click for more information.Sex Offender Registry Check:
Most states provide centralized services that can be used to check whether an applicant is registered as a convicted sex offender. Click for more information.Are Criminal Record Checks Available Internationally?
Yes, International Criminal Records Checks are available. For more information, see International Criminal Records Searches.Work History and Credential
Verification Background Checks:
Education Verification:
Because of the large number of applicants who make false educational claims, this search verifies that an applicant has the training required for the position being sought. It is also an important honesty check. Click for more information.Employment Verification:
Prior Employment Verification is an essential element in building a defense against negligent hiring claims (even when a prior employer will verify only minimal information). With this report you can review inconsistencies between the information on the application and the prior employers' statements (dates of employment, reason for leaving, job title, salary). This report may also provide information regarding the applicant's honesty, tendency to engage in violent or harmful conduct, or other problem areas. Click for more information.License Verification -- State/Federal:
License Verification is critical in building a defense against negligent hiring claims when licensing or certification is a factor. It verifies that the applicant has the license required for the position (license type, current status, standing, and any restrictions). Click for more information.Motor Vehicle Report:
A Motor Vehicle Report is an essential element in building a defense against negligent hiring claims for employees who drive company vehicles or drive on company business. It verifies that the applicant has the license required for the position (license type, current status, standing, and restrictions, if any). This search may provide information regarding an applicant's history of irresponsible behavior, including whether there is a history of substance abuse. Note: We only run a Motor Vehicle Report as part of a complete background check and not as a stand-alone search. Click for more information.Professional Reference Checks:
This check reviews information regarding an applicant's capacity to perform in the proposed position. It is useful in learning about an applicant’s abilities, skills, qualifications, work habits, absenteeism, ability to be supervised, honesty, tendency to engage in violent or harmful conduct, and other problem areas. Click for more information.Are Work History and Credential Verification Background Checks Available Internationally?
Yes, International Work History and Credential Verification Checks are available. For more information, see International Education Verifications, International Employment Verifications, and International Motor Vehicle Record Searches.Employment Eligibility
Verification Background Checks:
Form I-9 and Employment Eligibility Verification (E-Verify):
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) requires that an employee's eligibility to work be verified by use of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. An E-Verify search directly verifies Social Security, Immigration "A" and I-9 numbers through the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The process is online, easy to use, and, most importantly, it is accurate. Click for more information.Global Homeland Security Search:
Homeland Security databases around the world are checked, including the Health and Human Services Exclusion List, Interpol Most Wanted, Fugitive List, OFAC, and the Palestinian Legislative Council List. Click for more information.Medicaid Sanctions:
Applicants with sanctions are excluded from Medicare, Medicaid, child care, social services, and ALL federal health care programs. Check to see whether sanctions have been brought against an applicant relative to federally funded health care programs. Click for more information.Credit Reports and Other Background Checks:
County Civil Records Check:
A county-level civil case involves one or more plaintiffs filing a complaint against one or more defendants. Civil actions are typically classified by the amount of money sought by the plaintiff. Civil actions do not usually list a subject's date of birth or social security number. Typical information yielded includes case type, claim amount sought, disposition, and any awards. Click for more information.Credit Check (special Credit Report for employers):
Credit Reports show debt load, payment history, and may include public record information (liens, judgments, collections, and bankruptcies). Use this check to see a history of possible bad financial management or significant financial pressure. Click for more information.Social Security Number Scan:
Review whether a Social Security Number is valid, whether the addresses reported match the addresses provided by the applicant, whether the number is being used by others, and whether the applicant is using aliases or more than one number. Search results may point to a geographic area that needs to be searched for possible criminal history. Click for more information.Workers' Compensation History:
This search provides history of Workers' Compensation claims. It is useful in determining the accuracy of information on an individual's job application, determining whether the individual is capable of performing the essential functions of the job, and in properly channeling work assignments. Note: This search can only be ordered after a conditional job offer has been made. Click for more information.Employment Drug Screening
Drug-Free Workplace Programs:
A drug-free workplace provides increased productivity; reduced turnover, tardiness and absenteeism; a safer work environment; and reduced health insurance costs. Click for more information.Need Help Deciding Which Searches to Choose?
- For a summary of our suggestions on what should be in a thorough background check, see Comprehensive Background Checks.
- For a discussion of the trade-off between cost and risk in criminal searches, see Criminal Checks: Cost Versus Risk.
- We are also happy to answer your questions. Just give us a call at 530-346-6626.
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