Cintas: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Cintas Corporation traces its roots to 1929, when Richard "Doc" Farmer and his wife Amelia started a small laundry business in Cincinnati, Ohio - the city whose name would later inspire the Cintas brand. The business grew through two more generations of the Farmer family. In 1968, Richard T. Farmer, Doc's grandson, took over leadership and built out a modern national distribution infrastructure. The company was renamed Cintas in 1972 and went public on the Nasdaq (CTAS) in 1983, eventually earning a place in the S&P 500. Today, Cintas is headquartered in Mason, Ohio, and operates more than 470 facilities across North America.

Cintas serves more than one million businesses of all sizes, ranging from local restaurants and auto shops to Fortune 500 corporations. Its core business is the rental and sale of uniforms and workwear, but the company has expanded substantially into complementary services including facility products (restroom supplies, floor care, and cleaning chemicals), first aid and safety supplies, fire protection services, and document management. This diversification has made Cintas a go-to partner for companies looking to manage multiple workplace services through a single vendor relationship. For fiscal year 2024, Cintas reported revenue of approximately $9.6 billion, reflecting consistent growth across all major service segments.

Company culture and employee programs:

Yes. Cintas conducts background checks on candidates for most positions, including route service drivers, facility technicians, sales representatives, and corporate roles. The timing and scope of screening may vary by role, location, and applicable state or local laws. Candidates typically receive a written disclosure and provide consent before a background report is ordered.

Three to five business days is typical for most Cintas employment background checks, though actual timelines can vary based on several factors:

For more context on what affects timelines, see Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times.

A Cintas background check report may include:

Look-back periods depend on the type of record, the candidate's state of residence, and the role being filled. Many employers apply a seven-year look-back for most criminal convictions, consistent with federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidance and the practices of many states. Certain roles - particularly those involving driving or work with vulnerable populations - may permit a longer review period. Candidates should review their state's fair-chance or "ban-the-box" laws to understand what records can and cannot be considered.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report background check information, and how employers must use it. Under the FCRA, Cintas and other employers must:

EEOC guidance also encourages employers to conduct an individualized assessment that considers the nature and severity of an offense, how long ago it occurred, and its relevance to the specific job duties.

It depends on the role, the nature of the conviction, and applicable state laws. Cintas does not maintain a blanket policy of disqualifying all applicants with a felony record. The company evaluates criminal history on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the type of offense, how recently it occurred, and whether it is relevant to the position being sought.

Roles that involve driving company vehicles, handling cash, entering customer facilities, or managing sensitive materials may have more stringent review standards than administrative or warehouse positions. Candidates with a felony record are encouraged to be forthcoming on their applications and prepared to discuss the circumstances during the hiring process. Many states have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when and how employers can ask about criminal history, which may affect how Cintas handles this in certain locations.

Yes. Cintas typically requires a pre-employment drug test as part of its hiring process, and may conduct additional testing in certain circumstances such as post-accident or reasonable-suspicion situations. The standard pre-employment screening tests for commonly regulated substances. Specific testing requirements may vary by role - positions that involve operating vehicles or heavy equipment are often subject to more rigorous testing standards under applicable safety regulations.

The Cintas hiring process generally follows these steps:

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Cintas may see and help you identify any inaccuracies before you apply. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To proactively share verified credentials with recruiters, build a free Checkr Profile.

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.

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.