Guide to Kansas Background Checks

A Kansas background check searches public records, databases, and other sources to provide information about an individual. This may include criminal records, driving history, education or employment history, and more. 

Common use cases for Kansas background check include pre-employment screenings to verify a candidate’s qualifications and eligibility for a role and volunteer screenings for roles involving vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. These checks are essential for maintaining safety and integrity within various organizational settings.

In some cases, Kansas background check may be mandated by law for certain types of employment or within specific industries.

Background checks are crucial for employers in Kansas to ensure they hire trustworthy and competent individuals. These checks help mitigate risks such as workplace theft, fraud, and other security threats. Additionally, they are important for adhering to industry-specific regulations and maintaining compliance with legal standards, thereby protecting the organization from potential legal repercussions and safeguarding its reputation.

What shows up on a Kansas background check depends on the types of screenings conducted; applicable laws regulating background checks; and the employer’s background screening policy.

Here's a closer look at what shows up on some of the most common types of background checks:

• Criminal background checks may show felony and misdemeanor convictions, arrest records, and pending criminal cases.
• Driving record checks may show license type and status, suspensions, revocations, and motor vehicle-related offenses, like DUIs.
• Credit background checks report on a candidate’s credit history, which may include payment history, accounts in collections, and bankruptcies.
• Civil court searches identify a non-criminal court history, such as tax disputes, liens, and judgments.
• Employment verification reports previous employers, positions held, and employment dates. 
• Education verification reports schools attended, degrees earned, and graduation dates. 

To obtain an employment background check in Kansas, employers can conduct searches manually or partner with a consumer reporting agency (CRA). For example, employers can conduct a criminal background check in Kansas using the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal by searching for case information and court records from most district courts. 

For time and cost-savings, many employers choose to partner with a qualified CRA, like Checkr. Checkr can help simplify the process, while delivering more fast, accurate results. 

Turnaround times for Kansas background checks can vary from a few minutes to a few weeks depending on the type of screening, the scope of the search, and who is conducting the check. Generally, partnering with a CRA can significantly speed the process compared to conducting checks manually. A typical background check with a CRA often takes three to five days to complete, but may be returned even faster. For example, Checkr’s proprietary data network and relationships with court researchers nationwide, delivers fast, accurate results. In fact, 89% of our criminal checks complete in under one hour.

Compliance with federal, state, and local laws is crucial. Key points include:

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Understanding federal regulations for background checks, including proper disclosure and authorization.
• Adverse action process: Providing clear explanations for employment decisions based on background check results.
• Kansas state laws: Adherence to state-specific requirements, such as Kan. Stat. § 50-704.
• Ban the Box laws: Compliance with county or city-specific laws requirements.
• Data privacy: Protect candidate information and comply with data privacy laws.

You may wish to adhere to the most stringent laws or consult legal counsel if you have questions about compliance with Kansas background check laws.

Employers who partner with a CRA to perform Kansas background checks must adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). To maintain compliance with this federal law, employers must provide candidates with disclosure of your intent to conduct a background check and obtain written consent from the candidate before proceeding. If a decision is made not to hire a candidate based on the results of the background screening, you must also follow the adverse action process.

Kansas background checks can help employers find qualified candidates while reducing organizational risk. Checkr’s modern technology streamlines the background check process while helping support compliance. We offer multiple screening options to meet your business needs to help you hire with confidence. Get started with Checkr.

About the author

Jennifer writes about a variety of topics, including background checks, employee benefits, small business insurance, risk management, workplace culture, and more. Her work includes educational articles, blogs, e-books, white papers, and case studies.