Feb
27
How far back does a background check go in terms of years ?
Posted by Tim under background check
erikwaterman asked:
I have to take a Pre-employment criminal background check? If a person had a DUI 20 years ago, would the background check go back that far. It is for a Gov’t job at VA hospital. I don’t want to lie, but I also don’t want to mention stuff on my record 20 years ago if I don’t have to and if they don’t go back that far. I have heard it goes back 7 years? Anybody out there know?
Thanks
Website content
I have to take a Pre-employment criminal background check? If a person had a DUI 20 years ago, would the background check go back that far. It is for a Gov’t job at VA hospital. I don’t want to lie, but I also don’t want to mention stuff on my record 20 years ago if I don’t have to and if they don’t go back that far. I have heard it goes back 7 years? Anybody out there know?
Thanks
Website content
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:51 am
Your safest bet is to list it anyway. Background checks can vary in time looked at. Since it’s the federal government, who might contract with an outside source, they could find and go back to the time you were 18. I conduct many background checks as a private investigator, and I usually give who ever hires me to do it all the information I find. It’s there choice on what to use and what to ignore. Most of the time events that occured 20 years ago and if there was no more incidents, are usually ignored. It’s better to list it than to let an investigator discover it, because then you look untrustworthy.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 pm
If it wasn’t a felony dui you are probably ok. DUI’s go off your record in california after 10 years now. But as far as criminal record, I don’t know I don’t think anything ever gets taken off unless it is expunged. I wouldn’t lie though, just write dui 20 years ago, or check with the courts or police before you fill out your app.