Guide to Los Angeles Background Checks
Contents
- Select a topic to scroll directly to it:
- What is a Los Angeles background check?
- What shows up on a background check in Los Angeles?
- The importance of background checks for Los Angeles businesses
- How to get background checks in Los Angeles
- How long does a background check take in Los Angeles?
- Legal considerations for Los Angeles employers
- Get a Los Angeles background check with Checkr
Conducting background checks is often an important step for businesses to verify the qualifications and eligibility of prospective employees or volunteers. Background checks in Los Angeles may include reviewing criminal records, employment history, educational qualifications, driving records, and more. Continue reading to learn more about background checks in Los Angeles, the information that might be reported, and the process of obtaining a background check.
What is a Los Angeles background check?
A Los Angeles background check searches legal records, databases, and other relevant sources to gather information about an individual. This information can include criminal records, driving records, education or employment history, and other pertinent information.
Businesses can use this information for pre-employment screening, helping employers verify a candidate's qualifications and eligibility for a role. Background checks are also important for volunteer screenings, helping organizations cultivate a more transparent, trustworthy environment.
What shows up on a background check in Los Angeles?
Employers in Los Angeles might conduct various types of background checks, including the following:
- Criminal background checks may show felony and misdemeanor convictions, arrest records, and pending criminal cases.
- Driving record checks may include license type and status, suspensions, revocations, and motor vehicle-related offenses, such as DUIs.
- Employment verification confirms previous employers, positions held, and employment dates.
- Education verification confirms schools attended, degrees earned, and graduation dates.
- Credit background checks report a candidate’s credit history, which may include payment history, accounts in collections, and bankruptcies.
- Civil court searches identify non-criminal court history, such as tax disputes, liens, and judgments.
The importance of background checks for Los Angeles businesses
Background checks are often a helpful step in the hiring process for Los Angeles businesses, contributing to a safer and more informed work environment. Background checks can help workforces do the following:
- Protect the workplace: Background checks may help to identify potential safety risks and may help prevent incidents that harm employees, customers, or assets.
- Maintain compliance: Adhering to background screening laws, like those outlined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), ensures legal compliance and protects businesses from legal consequences.
- Enhance business reputation: By demonstrating a commitment to hiring qualified individuals, businesses may enhance their reputation and attract customers who value integrity and high standards.
- Mitigate risks: Background screenings may identify a history of fraud or theft, reducing the likelihood of hiring individuals who may pose risks to the company’s assets and trustworthiness.
How to get background checks in Los Angeles
For employers
Employers in Los Angeles can conduct background checks in-house or partner with a qualified screening provider. To conduct a criminal background check, employers may be able to access records through the California Department of Justice or local databases. Partnering with a consumer reporting agency (CRA), like Checkr, can streamline the process, offering expedited and accurate results while helping your business comply with legal standards.
For individuals
Individuals in Los Angeles should be aware that employers may choose to conduct background checks as part of the hiring process. These checks can involve searches through state and local criminal records. Running a background check on yourself can help you see what may be reported on an employment background check. Checkr offers personal background checks to help you anticipate questions or address any errors before applying for jobs.
Run a personal background check
Are you an employer? Run candidate background checks here >
How long does a background check take in Los Angeles?
The turnaround time for background checks in Los Angeles can vary depending on the type of check being conducted and how thorough the investigation needs to be. Database searches, like national criminal history, may only take a few minutes while more comprehensive screenings or those that require court researchers may take several days or longer.
Partnering with CRA, like Checkr, can help make this process more efficient compared to handling checks on your own. CRAs leverage advanced technology and extensive networks of databases, allowing them to quickly access information from a range of sources. This capability enables CRAs to provide fast and accurate results, useful for employers looking to make prompt, confident hiring decisions.
Legal considerations for Los Angeles employers
Compliance with federal, state, and local laws is an important consideration for Los Angeles businesses that conduct background checks. Important points include:
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how employers order and consider information when performing background checks for hiring purposes.
- Adverse action process requires providing clear explanations for not hiring an individual based on background check results.
- California state laws require that employers adhere to state-specific requirements when hiring individuals.
- Ban the Box laws may prohibit employers from inquiring about an individual’s criminal history until later in the hiring process, like after a conditional offer is made. For example, these laws apply to certain employers in the city and county of Los Angeles.
- Data privacy laws require that employers protect candidate information, which may include the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Get a Los Angeles background check with Checkr
Choosing Checkr for Los Angeles background checks streamlines the screening process, while helping support compliance. Our expertise and advanced technology make us a reliable partner for conducting thorough background checks, helping your business make informed hiring decisions. Get started today.
Disclaimer
The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.
About the author
Bantu Nonyukela writes about a range of topics related to background checks for business and personal use, along with best practices and legal considerations. His work includes educational articles, guides, and localized content.
