How Far Back Do Employers Check Your Background?
If a background check is required for a job you’re applying to, it’s natural to wonder how far back that check goes. What employers see depends on the type of information being reviewed and the position you’re applying for. Some items, like negative credit information, may only appear for about seven years, while others, such as criminal convictions, can remain on a report much longer.
In this article, I’ll explain what typically shows up on a background check, how far back employers usually look, and how many years different types of information can appear.
What comes up on a background check
Employment background checks are not all the same, but most include some combination of the following information.
Criminal history: This may include felony and misdemeanor convictions, and in some cases, arrest records.
Employment history: Can include past employers, job titles, and dates of employment, depending on the type of screening used.
Education/Licenses: Degrees, certifications, and schools attended may be verified, especially for roles that require specific credentials.
Credit information: For certain positions, employers may review credit related information. This is more common for jobs involving financial responsibility and is subject to additional restrictions.
Identity and address history: May include identifying information and past addresses.
Not every background check includes all of these categories. What’s reviewed depends on the employer, the position, and the type of screening being used.
How far back do employers check background
Background checks are regulated by a federal law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA. The FCRA does not impose a blanket limit on how far back an employment background check can go. Instead, it specifies what types of older information may or may not appear on a background check report.
Some types of information have no federal time limit. Employment history, education, licenses, and identity information may appear regardless of age.
Adverse information is treated differently. Under the FCRA, most negative information is generally subject to a seven-year reporting limit. Criminal convictions are an important exception and may be reported regardless of age. Bankruptcies may be reported for up to ten years.
However, if you are applying for a position with an expected annual salary of $75,000 or more, the seven-year reporting limits described above may not apply. In that situation, a background check report may legally include certain negative information even if it is older than seven years.
In addition to federal law, some state laws impose stricter limits on what background check companies may report. These state laws can provide applicants with additional protections beyond the FCRA.
Even when older information is legally reportable, it must still be accurate and up to date. Errors are common, which is why it is important to carefully review your background check report to make sure the information is correct.
How many years do employers go back for background checks
How far employers look back depends on the type of information being reviewed. The most common categories include:
Criminal history: Under the FCRA, convictions may be reported regardless of age. Other criminal records, such as arrests that did not result in a conviction, are generally limited to about seven years unless an exception applies, such as a higher-paying position.
Employment history/Education/Licenses: There is typically no formal lookback limit for these categories. Background check reports may include past employers, dates of employment, degrees, certifications and professional licenses going back many years.
Credit-related information: When used for employment purposes, most negative credit information is limited to seven years. Bankruptcies may be reported for up to 10 years.
In addition to federal law, state laws may impose stricter limits on what background check companies can report, including limits on certain conviction records. This is why it’s important to understand your state’s rules on background check reporting.
If something on your background check looks wrong or outdated, dispute the information with the company that generated the report. This is an important first step to ensure you are not prejudiced by inaccurate information.
Can a background check reveal past employers
There is no public database or government record that lists every job someone has ever held. Unlike criminal records, employment history is generally not a matter of public record. As a result, background check companies cannot definitively pull a full employment timeline for an individual.
In many cases, employment checks focus on verifying the employers an applicant listed on their application or résumé. The background check company may contact those employers directly or use automated systems to confirm job titles and dates of employment.
In some situations, background check reports may also include limited employment information from private databases, such as payroll or employment verification systems. These databases are populated by participating employers and payroll providers, which means the information can be incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent from person to person.
Because employment data comes from multiple sources and is not centrally maintained, what appears on a background check can vary widely. Some reports show several prior employers, while others show only the employers the applicant listed or no employment history at all.
Closing Thoughts
What shows up on your background check can be the deciding factor in whether you receive a job offer. Reviewing a copy of your background check report can help you understand exactly what employers are seeing.
If something does not look right, there may be options to correct the report so you are not prejudiced by inaccurate information. If you’re having trouble with a background check or aren’t sure how to address errors, you can contact our office to discuss your situation and the options that may be available.