How Long Does It Take to Perform a Background Check?
Many prospective clients seeking a new background screening provider often ask, “How long does it take to perform a background check?” Understanding the timeline for completing a background check is essential, especially for companies that require comprehensive, timely, affordable, and compliant screening services according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state and local laws.
The Importance of Background Checks for Employers
Background checks serve as a fundamental component of the hiring process, providing critical benefits:
- Reduction of Hiring Risks: Efficient background checks help decrease the risk of hiring unsuitable candidates. For instance, it is found that implementing comprehensive background screenings reduces workplace theft by approximately 28% and improves employee safety by detecting potential threats early.
- Enhancement of Hiring Quality: By verifying the accuracy of candidates’ credentials, background checks ensure that qualifications are genuine, reducing the risk of hiring underqualified employees. Studies show that accurate background screening can improve the quality of hire by up to 40%, significantly decreasing turnover rates.
- Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: With 36% of all background checks potentially revealing a discrepancy in a candidate’s application or resume, conducting these checks helps companies comply with industry standards and avoid legal penalties for non-compliance.
How Background Checks Work
Background checks are a multi-faceted process involving various components:
- Social Security Trace: This initial step verifies an individual’s identity and sets the groundwork for a more detailed investigation.
- Public and Private Records: Background checks may include criminal records, civil records, credit history, driving records, as well as education and employment verification.
- Scope and Duration: Typically, background checks look into records from the past seven to ten years, but this can be extended depending on the position and applicable laws.
- Results Compilation: The final report typically includes findings related to criminal history, employment verification, education verification, credit status, and driving records.
Timeline for Completing a Background Check
The time required to complete a background check can vary significantly based on several factors:
- Complexity and Scope: Basic background checks, which access digitized and readily available databases, can be completed in a matter of minutes or hours. These are common for checks that involve only a criminal record search or a credit check.
- Jurisdictional Differences: The duration can extend significantly in jurisdictions where records must be manually retrieved by court clerks or are not digitally accessible. In such cases, the background check process can take anywhere from several days to a few weeks.
- Extensive Checks: For roles requiring a high level of scrutiny, such as positions involving national security, finance, or those that work with vulnerable populations, background checks can be more comprehensive. These may include multi-state or international criminal searches, detailed credit history checks, and extensive employment and education verification, potentially taking several weeks to complete.
Conclusion
The timeline for conducting a background check varies widely—from a few minutes to several weeks—depending on the scope, complexity, and the specific requirements of the position. At EDIFY Background Screening, we leverage advanced technology and thorough processes to ensure efficient and accurate background checks, customized to meet our clients’ diverse needs. We encourage organizations to partner with EDIFY, a qualified consumer reporting agency, to benefit from our expertise in conducting efficient and affordable background investigations. Contact us today to enhance your hiring process with our reliable background screening services.
