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Alaska State Background Check

A statewide Alaska background check will help you find information from every county in Alaska. This includes counties like Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula, and Juneau and less populated counties like Denali.

In Alaska, background checks are handled by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS), specifically by the Criminal Records and Identification Bureau (R&I). This information, reported by law enforcement and courts, is maintained in the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN). This online database is available to DPS personnel only, so background check requests must go through the department. The only exception is when hiring in the healthcare field, where background checks are conducted by the state’s Division of Healthcare Services using APSIN.

See a sample state criminal history report
Data Coverage Map

Criminal Record Restrictions

What may be reported on an Alaska criminal history search?

  • Jurisdiction where record is recorded
  • Case number
  • Defendant
  • Charge
  • Filing date
  • Degree of offense, like misdemeanor
  • Disposition
  • Disposition date
  • Sentence

The state of Alaska has no major restrictions on the information that can be reported in background checks. The state allows employers to inquire about criminal history at any point in the application stage. Currently, Alaska doesn’t have ban the box legislation, nor is there any being considered in the state, so pre-screening for a criminal record is allowed at the application stage. There are a few common restrictions to look out for that may apply to a background check in Alaska.

Expunged Record

Sealed or expunged records can’t be used to make hiring decisions and shouldn't be returned by a state background check. Similarly, court records that have been sealed are off-limits. It’s not illegal to withhold information about an expunged record, so applicants aren’t required to report this information if the record is sealed or expunged.

Non-conviction & Correctional Treatment

Conviction records are available to all who inquire, but arrest records that didn’t result in a conviction as well as enrollment in correctional treatment programs can only be reported in specific circumstances (AK Stat. Sec. 12.62.160). Basically, if you can show a legitimate business purpose for requesting this information, or work in an industry that mandates a more extensive background check -- such as healthcare -- you can get this information as well.

Mandatory Background Checks

Many positions in Alaska require background checks, including EMS personnel, individuals working in elder care, school employees, and school bus drivers. Recently, Alaska also mandated background checks for psychologists to obtain a license.

Other Information

In addition to a criminal background check, in Alaska, you can find reports on a candidate's credit history, driving record, and more if it’s relevant to your hiring decision. Just specify what you’re looking for and backgroundchekcs.com can include this additional information.

Finally, keep in mind that unless required by another statute or executive order, Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act prohibits blanket policies against accepting applications or hiring anyone with a criminal conviction. Such decisions should instead be made on an individual basis. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recommends considering such factors as the severity of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and the relevance of the offense to job requirements and duties.

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