How Long Do Pre-Employment Background Checks Take?

Employers and applicants are eager for a positive outcome during the hiring process, leading both parties to the same question. How long do pre-employment background checks take? Once you determine that someone might be a good match for your company, screening their background is essential for making an informed hiring decision. However, keeping your time-to-hire metrics low is also critical. Meanwhile, job applicants are often anxious to know when they can expect a final answer from you. So, what are turnaround times like nowadays?

The answer is, “it depends.” The type of background check you order significantly impacts how long it takes to get results. Let’s explore some typical turnaround times for the most common checks.

Turnaround Time for Employment Background Checks

The average pre-employment background check is a combination of multiple types of checks. In that sense, the term “employment background check” is a misnomer because it suggests that an employer can find all they need to know by searching a single database.

In truth, employment pre-screening can incorporate everything from criminal records checks to resumé details and civil court documents. That makes answering the question, “How long does a background check take?” much more complex.

Turnaround Time for Employment Background Checks 

The average pre-employment background check is a combination of multiple reporting products. There is no single database an employer can search to find all the information they need. An employment background check is instead a multi-layered project. You might check for much more than just criminal records. You may wish to verify resume details or search the courts for specific documents. You may even need to order someone’s driving record. All these different elements will have individual turnaround times. Here’s what to know about each.

Turnaround Time for Criminal Background Checks 

Criminal record checks are the most common type of pre-employment background check. When most people ask how long vetting takes, they mean this. The length of time these checks take varies based on several factors. These include:

1. The number of steps required to obtain the criminal records.
2. The type of criminal record reports you order.
3. Whether you request any records from international sources.

At backgroundchecks.com, we maintain a proprietary database with over 650 million records. Our proprietary criminal background search, US OneSEARCH, can return criminal record results instantly. A verified search of this database may take several business days. Likewise, data beyond our database may take 1-3 business days to obtain. These timeframes also apply to our county, state, and federal criminal record searches.

State-level criminal checks see the most variation in turnaround times. Some states can process results in as little as one business day, while others may take several days or even up to a week or more. Plan accordingly when ordering state database reports.

Additional steps and screening products can extend turnaround times. For example, some employers may first order an alias search or an address history report. They intend to use this information to target other screening products better. Such reports can help you determine which counties or states to target. Ordering such reports can add time to your background check process. However, they also provide value. Learn more about these options when you explore our US AliasSEARCH and US OneTRACE products.

Turnaround Times for Other Types of Background Checks 

Solutions like the US OneSEARCH can provide rapid and detailed results. State- and county-level searches can take several days and provide important information. There are also many other types of reporting products you may need to use. Here, we’ll discuss turnaround times for these product categories.

Driving record checks 

Driving record checks are essential for regulated transit carriers. Bus drivers, truck drivers, and others operating vehicles should have a clean record. Each state maintains its own driving records for drivers licensed in that state. Therefore, there can be some variation in turnaround times from state to state. Typically, we estimate that a motor vehicle report (MVR) takes one to three business days to process. System outages and delays may sometimes extend this time.

Credit histories 

Credit checks may be helpful in screening for positions of financial responsibility. Polling the credit bureaus for an individual’s report is typically a near-instant process. However, you must first complete an application process to obtain credit reports. You must be credentialed and have a legitimate business purpose for using these reports. The application and approval process is a one-time effort but may take up to 14 days to finalize.

Civil court searches 

Civil court records are rarely consulted in hiring but may sometimes be necessary. These are a part of the public record similar to criminal records but housed in a different court. At backgroundchecks.com, we typically process civil court checks in five to seven business days. Federal courts may return records faster. Turnaround times at those courts are usually only one to two days.

Federal Background Check for Government Employment 

Working for the federal government requires a unique application process, even for those seeking contract work. Applicants must be able to pass a federal employment background check. Candidates must be reliable, trustworthy, and of sound moral character. The length of time this process takes can vary considerably based on the job role.

For example, some jobs require a security clearance, which significantly increases background check turnaround times. This process often involves a lengthy questionnaire and multiple interviews. For some clearance levels, agencies may even investigate acquaintances and relatives.

Federal security clearances include Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret classifications. Background checks in the first two categories typically take one to three months. Top Secret background checks are more thorough and frequently take twice as long.

Top Secret background checks can take four to eight months. Some may take up to a year, depending on circumstances, for example, when you:

• Lived or worked abroad
• Traveled extensively outside the country
• Have foreign relatives
• Spent significant time outside the country

Federal agencies often have significant backlogs for employee background checks. Expect potentially long wait times for some positions.

Verification checks 

Verifications assess the accuracy of the details an applicant provides on their resume. They may include the following:

• Employment history
• Education verification
• Personal or professional references
• Professional licenses

Employment verification checks usually have a two-to-three-day turnaround time. However, they can take longer if contacting employers and other references proves difficult.

Bankruptcy checks 

If a person has ever filed for bankruptcy, those records exist within a U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Searching these records typically takes one to two days to yield results.

How Far Back Do Most Pre-Employment Background Checks Go?

The answer depends on the type of record. Some consumer information, such as credit information, faces a seven-year legal limit. This period is due to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). However, criminal records, such as felony convictions, can appear with no time limit. Criminal record time limits may exist in some states, but no federal exclusion standard exists.

Should You Order Background Checks Before or After an Offer?

What is the correct time frame for background checks? The answer to this question may depend on your jurisdiction. Areas with Ban the Box and Fair Chance laws may force delays through regulation. You may not be able to order a background check without making a conditional offer. In such cases, you must present the job offer before obtaining the applicant’s consent to a background check. Without such rules, you can typically start vetting anytime after obtaining written permission.

What Can Cause Pre-Employment Background Check Delays? 

Estimates on turnaround times are just that: estimates. We endeavor to be as clear and accurate as possible about turnaround times for our customers. However, variables beyond our control may sometimes create delays. Some of the most common delaying factors include:

• Weekends. We provide turnaround estimates in business days. Ordering before a weekend may create delays.
• Closures. Inclement weather, illness, and other reasons may force closures at county courts or other reporting bodies. Holidays may also cause closures and delays. Plan accordingly.
• Verified searches. Screening with multiple steps always takes longer. For example, verifying records in our instant database against your subject information may take time.

We always strive to inform our customers of any known delays before they order.

Selecting the Right Background Check Company 

How long should a background check take? You should be able to make decisions relatively quickly, but there’s more to the process than time. A fast turnaround time can be important, but it isn’t the defining factor in a successful pre-employment screening process.

If given the choice between rapid results and a more thorough screening, the latter is often preferable. The right partner for the employment screening process is, therefore, imperative. Not only does the right business provide you with greater flexibility, but you can also gain insights into what products to order. Here’s why backgroundchecks.com is the right choice for your needs.

Instant criminal searches 

Obtain fast, detailed results using our US OneSEARCH multi-jurisdictional database search. We process orders instantly and deliver results employers can use today. Having the option of instant checks is vital for employers on a strict timetable.

Live courthouse searches 

We also have a network of court runners to conduct in-person criminal searches. Some county courts don’t have a searchable online database and require a physical presence to access records. Such access is essential since most criminal cases are filed at county courts. With backgroundchecks.com, employers always have the option of a direct courthouse search as part of their process.

Other searches 

We offer an expansive background check service, many of which go beyond criminal history checks. Employers can work with us to expand their checks to include resume verifications, civil court searches, driving record searches, and more.

Set Up Your Account and Start Ordering Reports Today 

Getting started with backgroundchecks.com is fast and easy. Provide your information, make the necessary legal attestations, and begin credentialing your HR teams to order reports. With pre-built and custom packages available, you can select the approach that yields the desired results on your timetable. Instead of wondering, “How long do pre-employment background checks take?” find the answer firsthand today.