Dallas Background Checks

Dallas, Texas background checks are a valuable tool employers may use during the hiring process for more informed employment decisions. These screenings help you hire with confidence by reviewing information about a candidate’s work experience, education, qualifications, criminal history, and more. Read on to learn more about background checks in Dallas.

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What Is A Dallas Background Check?

A Dallas background check searches public records and databases to provide information about a job candidate, contractor, or volunteer to help determine the individual’s qualifications and eligibility for a position. Depending on the scope of the check, it may include information about a candidate’s criminal history, driving record, educational background, employment history, and more. 

Background checks in Dallas may include data from the thirteen counties in the Dallas metroplex–Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise–or records at the state level, searching all Texas courts.

Employers may choose which screenings to include based on the industry, position being filled, and company background check policy. Background checks in Dallas may also be conducted for business partnerships, tenant screening, and other non-employment purposes. 

Why Employers Should Conduct Background Checks In Dallas

A city of Dallas background check can help employers mitigate risk, help ensure workplace safety, and make informed hiring decisions. A comprehensive background check can also help employers verify the information a candidate provides in a job application or interview and provide insight into a candidate’s history that may not show up in other areas of the hiring process. 

Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations is another reason employers conduct Dallas, Texas background checks. Specific industries and positions may require specific screenings  to fulfill legal requirements or industry standards. For example, Dallas Independent School District employees, contractors, and vendors are required to undergo a national criminal background check. By adhering to these regulations, employers can avoid potential legal liabilities and demonstrate a commitment to responsible hiring practices.

What Shows Up On A Dallas Background Check?

What shows up on a Dallas background check depends on the screenings you include and the scope of each search, as each type of background check will report different types of information. The screenings included may vary by industry, role, and company background check policy. 

Here’s what information is revealed by common Dallas background checks:

• Criminal background checks in Dallas may show misdemeanor and felony convictions, arrest records, and pending criminal cases at the county, state, or federal level. 
• Education verification confirms colleges and universities a candidate attended, including enrollment dates, graduation dates, majors, and degrees or certificates earned.
• Employment verification confirms previous employment information, including employers, dates of employment, and positions held. 
• Drug testing indicates whether there is evidence of current or past use of certain illegal and prescription drugs. 
• Driving record checks review a candidate’s driving history, such as license status, types of licenses held, accidents and moving violations, plus any vehicle-related convictions like a DUI.
• Credit background checks review a candidate’s credit history, including account payment history, accounts sent to collections, foreclosures, and bankruptcies. These checks are most common for positions with access to sensitive financial information. 

Conducting thorough and compliant background checks in Dallas empowers employers to make informed hiring decisions, mitigate risk, and help ensure a safe and productive work environment.

How To Get A City of Dallas Background Check

Employers can choose how to get a city of Dallas background check–by partnering with a a consumer reporting agency (CRA) or requesting information directly from law enforcement agencies and courthouses. 

You can order some Dallas background check records online. For example, the Texas Department of Public Safety offers a name-based search of their Computerized Criminal History System (CCHS). Counties, like Dallas and Collin offer searchable databases for various court case information, though it may not be permitted for employment purposes.

To speed the process and support compliance, many employers choose to partner with a background check provider. A qualified CRA, like GoodHire, can help employers obtain both accurate and comprehensive results, including criminal records, driving records, credit checks, drug testing, and more.

How Long Does An Employment Background Check Take in Dallas?

The turnaround time for an employment background check in Dallas can vary depending on several factors, including the scope of the search, the accuracy of the information provided by the candidate, and whether you choose to search records on your own or partner with a background check provider.

Some results may be readily available if the information is digitized, such as sex offender registry searches or Social Security number (SSN) traces. Criminal background checks may be returned quickly if there are no “hits,” but may take several days if the candidate has lived in multiple states or the position requires a fingerprint background check.

Partnering with a trusted CRA, like GoodHire, can speed the background check process. CRAs have networks of court researchers and data partners, which allows them to quickly access and verify information. GoodHire is also FCRA-compliant, helping employers navigate the various legal and regulatory requirements in the state of Texas.

What Federal Laws Apply In Dallas?

Employers in Dallas who partner with a CRA to perform background checks must adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). To maintain compliance with this federal law, employers must provide candidates with written 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 information obtained from a background screening report, you must also follow the adverse action process.

To minimize potential liability, employers who are uncertain about which Dallas background check laws and regulations apply, you may want to follow the  most stringent requirements and consult legal counsels.

Get a Dallas Background Check with GoodHire

Background checks may be an important part of the onboarding process for  businesses in Dallas to help find qualified candidates. Partnering with a qualified background check provider, like GoodHire,  can streamline the process with automated workflows and compliance tools. GoodHire offers 100+ screening options and customizable packages to meet the needs of employers of all sizes. Get started with fast, accurate background checks.

Get A Dallas Background Check Today

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