What does the FBI look for in a background check?

An FBI background check typically shows the following information: Criminal charges, convictions, and incarceration. Bankruptcies. Outstanding warrants.

What can cause you to fail a FBI background check?

There are plenty of reasons a person may not pass a background check, including criminal history, education discrepancies, poor credit history, damaged driving record, false employment history, and a failed drug test.

What disqualifies you from the FBI?

How is an FBI background check different?

A federal background check will reveal crimes that were prosecuted at the federal level. The federal background check expectations and disqualifiers are generally far more serious crimes than state ones.

What shows up on a background check?

Criminal background checks will reveal felony and misdemeanor criminal convictions, any pending criminal cases, and any history of incarceration as an adult. Arrests pending prosecution may also be reported, and in some cases, arrests that did not lead to a criminal conviction may also appear.

Understanding The FBI Criminal Background Check System

Do arrests show up on a background check or just convictions?

When a person has been arrested by the police, the first record that is created is the fact that you were arrested. The is recorded on a database that is shared between police departments and can come up on some background checks, this is known as a Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (RAP) sheet.

How long does the FBI take for background check?

Current Processing Time: Online Requests - About 3-5 days (after we receive your fingerprint card) Mail Requests - About 2-4 weeks.

Do FBI background checks include search history?

Do FBI background checks look at internet history? Although security clearance background checks can be intensely thorough, the government can't view your emails, Internet browsing history, hard drive data, and other virtual assets without a subpoena or warrant.

Does the FBI check your credit?

Yes. A search of the records of commercial credit reporting agencies is an integral part of almost all background investigations. The credit check done by the National Background Investigations Bureau is considered a "soft check" and does not affect your credit.

How hard is it to get accepted into the FBI?

The FBI accepts fewer than 20% of applicants, making jobs within the bureau highly competitive. Applicants typically begin their candidacy through one of the FBI's various entry programs, all of which are tailored to specific FBI career tracks.

What looks good on FBI application?

The FBI is interested in applicants with a wide range of educational backgrounds including but not limited to accounting, STEM, finance, human resources, information technology, journalism, law, and more.

Should I worry about background check?

Should I be worried about a background check? A background check is a prerequisite of the hiring process and cannot be avoided. As long as you are honest on your resume and understand your rights, you will not have anything to worry about. Be sure to review the background check laws in your state before applying.

Are FBI background checks accurate?

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about the reliability of FBI fingerprint checks as an accurate background check tool. So let's be clear. FBI fingerprint data is incomplete, often inaccurate, and should not be the primary method of performing a background check.

Is it rare to fail a background check?

It's rare that an employer doesn't complete an employee background check during the hiring process.

How long does the FBI process take?

Timeframe: The average background investigation takes approximately six months, but can take up to 18 months or more depending on where an applicant has lived, worked and traveled. Once you receive a CAO, you will need to complete a background investigation to obtain a Top-Secret SCI Clearance.

Who does the FBI interview for background checks?

Performing background investigations, the FBI not only conducts extensive credit and police agency record checks, but investigators also interview an applicant's current and former colleagues, roommates, neighbors, professors, and co-workers.

Does the FBI listen to your phone?

The FBI will do whatever it wants with your phone calls, provided it has a warrant. Section 215 of the Patriot Act, used by the FBI “to obtain large collections of metadata”, had indeed expired, but the USA Freedom Act restored it.

Do background checks show your Internet history?

Does a background check include browsing history? No. A person's internet browsing history is their private information and would never be included in any legal or ethical background check.

Is a federal background check the same as an FBI background check?

How is an FBI background check different? A federal background check will reveal crimes that were prosecuted at the federal level. The federal background check expectations and disqualifiers are generally far more serious crimes than state ones.

Do background checks look at texts?

Do background checks look at texts? While it is true that security clearance investigators can dig deeply into all the financial, personal, and social aspects of your life, your text messages, and private online accounts are safe, for now.

How long can the FBI investigate you?

Statute of Limitations in Federal Crime Cases

So if you have still not been charged after the time set by the statute of limitations, the investigation is effectively over. For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years.

How can I speed up my FBI background check?

How long does the FBI keep your fingerprints on file?

After 90 days, the FBI deletes the fingerprint background check transactions and considers the FBI background check request complete. The applicant has to be fingerprinted again, which starts the FBI fingerprint background check process over.

What convictions can stop you from getting a job?

So when does a criminal record stop you getting a job? Serious crimes involving violence or sexual abuse are likely to prevent you from working with children or vulnerable adults, whilst crimes involving fraud or theft may prevent you from getting a job involving finance or cash handling.

What will disqualify you from federal employment?

The agency may remove an employee or disqualify applicants who materially and deliberately falsify or conceal information (such as the omission of arrests, drug use, employment, medical history, assets, and liabilities, etc.)