America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses was founded in 1978 and has grown into one of the most recognizable discount optical brands in the United States. The chain is a subsidiary of National Vision Holdings, Inc., one of the country's largest optical retail companies, which is publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker EYE and headquartered in the Duluth, Georgia, area, northeast of Atlanta.

The America's Best model centers on affordable eye care and eyewear. The brand is widely known for advertised offers that combine multiple pairs of glasses with an eye exam, and stores typically pair optical retail with eye exams available from optometrists at or next to each location. Stores sell prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, and National Vision's supporting infrastructure includes optical laboratories and distribution operations that produce and ship finished eyewear.

The chain operates at national scale. Public reporting indicated more than 1,000 America's Best retail locations across the United States as of 2024, and the brand continues to open stores in new markets. Its parent company also operates the Eyeglass World brand, giving National Vision a combined footprint of well over a thousand optical stores nationwide.

Jobs at America's Best span retail and clinical support functions. Common roles include sales associates and receptionists, licensed or apprentice opticians who help fit and dispense eyewear, optometric technicians who support eye exams, lab technicians, store managers, and field leadership, along with corporate roles at National Vision's Georgia headquarters in areas like merchandising, IT, and finance. Optometrists provide exams at or alongside stores under arrangements that vary by state law.

Company culture and employee programs: America's Best emphasizes its mission of making eye care accessible and affordable, and store teams are trained on both customer service and the technical aspects of eyewear fitting. National Vision has supported career paths that help associates move into optician and management roles, including training toward state licensure where required. Benefits and scheduling vary by role, location, and hours worked, so candidates should confirm details for their specific position during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the optical retail and eye care industry, including America's Best, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on candidates as long as they comply with federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, background checks conducted through a consumer reporting agency are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires disclosure, written consent, and specific adverse action procedures when results affect a hiring decision.

America's Best is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is consistent with standard practice among national retailers and health care adjacent employers. Store employees handle payments and customer personal and prescription information, and some roles require state licensure, all of which make screening common. The specific scope of an America's Best background check may vary by role, state, and level of responsibility.

The America's Best hiring process typically begins with an online application through the National Vision careers site. Retail candidates usually complete a phone screen or an in-person interview with the store manager, and licensed roles such as opticians may discuss credentials and experience in more depth. Candidates who receive a conditional offer are generally asked to consent to a background check and complete any remaining pre-employment steps before their start date is confirmed. Hiring for corporate and lab roles typically follows a multi-round interview process.

Turnaround depends on the searches ordered, court responsiveness, and how many jurisdictions appear in a candidate's address history. Many retail background checks are completed within a few business days, while reports involving multiple county searches, license verifications, or manual employment checks can take longer. Candidates who want to understand typical timelines can review background check turnaround times.

Each employer decides which screenings to include for a given role. For optical retail positions like those at America's Best, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review their disclosure and consent forms to understand which searches apply to their specific role.

Lookback periods depend on the type of search and the laws of the candidate's state. Under the FCRA, most non-conviction negative information generally cannot be reported once it is more than seven years old, while criminal convictions can often be reported for longer under federal law unless state law imposes stricter limits. Several states apply a seven-year cap to conviction reporting, and exceptions may apply based on expected salary. As a national retailer, America's Best hires in many jurisdictions, so the effective lookback window can vary by location.

America's Best and its parent company do not publish a detailed public policy about hiring candidates with felony records, and decisions are typically made on a case-by-case basis. Employers generally consider the nature and seriousness of an offense, how much time has passed, and how it relates to the role, such as positions involving cash handling or customer data. Many states and cities have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates with records should complete applications honestly and be ready to provide context if asked.

Before any background check is run, candidates will typically be asked to sign a written disclosure and authorization form, as required by the FCRA. Be prepared to provide accurate personal details, including your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history. For licensed roles, America's Best background check requirements may also include verification of optician or technician credentials in states that require them. Accurate information helps the process move quickly and keeps records correctly matched.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. It requires employers to obtain written permission before ordering a report, and if an employer plans to take adverse action based on the findings, the candidate must first receive a copy of the report and a summary of rights, plus a reasonable opportunity to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information. For more on how the FCRA and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance apply to hiring, see this introduction to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what America's Best may see and helps you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

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.