Infractions, Misdemeanors & Felonies: What Employers Find On Criminal Background Checks
When reviewing a criminal background check, it’s important to understand how offenses are categorized by relative severity, class or level.
Federal Background Checks: Essential Guide for Employers & Individuals
Federal background checks analyze candidates’ qualifications and records to help employers determine their eligibility and qualifications for a role. They’re also beneficial for individuals who want to preview what their official background check may look like.
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Get StartedEmployers typically include a federal background check as part of a more comprehensive background check to make more informed hiring decisions, support safety measures, and minimize legal risk. Individuals may also choose to run a federal background check on themselves to learn what’s on their report in advance. GoodHire offers FCRA-compliant federal background screenings for both employers and individual users.
This guide to federal background checks covers how they work, what types of information may be reported, relevant compliance regulations, and the benefits of working with third-party background check providers.
What is a federal background check?
A federal background check is a type of criminal background check used to identify convictions for federal crimes, such identity theft, tax evasion, counterfeiting, and kidnapping. It may also show crimes against federal employees, like TSA agents and forest rangers; crimes involving banks; or crimes committed on federal land. It may also show pending criminal cases, though this can depend on different factors, like when the case was filed.
During a federal background check, records across 94 federal US district and appellate courts are searched using the Public Access to Court Records (PACER) database. Federal background checks are commonly used to screen candidates in regulated industries, including finance, healthcare, law enforcement, or government. They can also be beneficial when hiring for roles that involve access to high-value assets or sensitive information.
While often part of comprehensive pre-employment background checks, a federal background check doesn’t replace state, county, or national criminal record checks.
How do federal background checks work?
Employers can conduct federal background checks on their own or with the help of a background check service provider. Federal background checks are performed by accessing the PACER database, which provides public access to more than a billion federal court documents.
The information returned in the report includes federal felony and misdemeanor convictions across all federal district courts. Once the report is received, employers generally review the records to see if the information reported disqualifies the candidate under the organization’s background check policy. Then the employer decides whether to move forward with the hiring process.
When performing background checks for employment, employers also must comply with local, state and federal guidelines. Employers that choose to partner with a consumer reporting agency (CRA), such as GoodHire, to conduct federal background checks are required to comply with regulations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA). Plus, working with a CRA can help speed how long a federal background check takes.
Before an employer can run a federal background check, candidates must provide their written consent. Should the employer decide not to hire the candidate due to federal employment background check disqualifiers or other reasons, they must follow the adverse action process.
What does a federal background check include?
Federal checks typically include convictions for federal crimes that may not show up on state or county-level criminal record checks. Common federal crimes employers might see on a federal background check include:
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Bank robbery
- Tax evasion
- Identity theft
- Counterfeiting
- Kidnapping
- Embezzlement
- Drug trafficking
- Crimes against federal employees
- Crimes committed on federal property
- Crimes that cross state lines
How far back a federal background check can go depends on who is conducting the search. While convictions can be reported indefinitely, the FCRA sets lookback limits on other types of records that may show up when employers use a CRA to perform the search.
Restrictions include:
- Non-conviction records for arrests more than seven years old, including civil judgments, tax liens, and most credit report information
- Bankruptcies more than 10 years
However, these limits may not apply if the expected salary for the role is $75,000 or higher, or if the background check is conducted independently by the employer rather than with a CRA. State and local restrictions may also shorten lookback periods, depending on jurisdiction.
Navigating compliance regulations during background checks can be challenging. Consulting with legal counsel and partnering with a background check service provider can help employers mitigate risk. For example, GoodHire (a Checkr company) offers compliance support through built-in adverse action workflows and FCRA guidance.
How much does a federal background check cost?
The cost to conduct a federal background check often depends on how the check is conducted.
When an employer chooses to search PACER independently, fees start at $30 per name or items searched. Here’s how PACER costs break down, including service fees, as of November 2025.
- $30 per name or item searched
- $0.10 per page per document delivered electronically (maximum of up to $3 per document and five-document limit per search)
- $2.40 per audio file download
A CRA, on the other hand, typically offers comprehensive packages for pre-employment checks. So it’s often more cost-effective for employers to use a CRA. With GoodHire, for example, packages start at $29.99.
GoodHire works with small to mid-size businesses, offering quick turnaround times and accurate results. Packages typcially include common background screenings, like criminal record checks, employment verification, driving record checks, and drug screenings. Federal background checks can be included with any package as an add-on search.
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Get StartedWhat individuals should know
Individuals and job candidates subject to pre-employment background checks can choose to run federal background checks on themselves. Here’s what you need to know.
How can I review my public records?
Knowing what’s on your own background check helps you anticipate and address any concerns employers might have. Whether you want to verify accuracy or just stay informed, conducting a self-check can provide peace of mind and bolster your confidence throughout the job search process.
Like employers, individuals can conduct a personal federal background check using the PACER system. Users can search for federal criminal cases by setting up an online account. Or you can work with a background provider to conduct a personal background check.
With GoodHire, it’s easy to order your own federal background checks in just a few simple steps. Pricing is transparent, and once your report is ready, you’ll receive a notification and be able to access it online.
Will an expungement show up on a federal background check?
Generally, expunged or sealed records should not show up on a federal background check for employment. Certain employment, such as in national security, may require disclosure of all interactions with law enforcement, including expunged records.
Everything You Need To Know About Background Check Compliance
get the guideFAQs about federal background checks
What shows up on a federal background check?
A federal criminal background check identifies criminal records that are not available at the state or county level. It may include convictions for federal crimes such as:
- Tax evasion: Illegally attempting to avoid paying taxes
- Identity theft: Using another person’s personal identifying information (e.g. name, Social Security number, etc.) without their permission to commit fraud or other crimes
- Counterfeiting: Creating fake currency with the intent to pass it off as real
- Kidnapping: Confining and/or transporting a person against their will
- Embezzlement: Withholding something of value from its rightful owner without their consent with the intent to appropriate it
- Interstate trafficking: Unlawfully importing goods, often controlled substances, across state lines
What’s the difference between state vs. federal background checks?
State background checks look for violations at the state or county level from multiple state databases, whereas federal background checks look for federal crimes from the federal US district and appellate courts.
Can you pass a federal background check with a misdemeanor?
Yes, it’s possible to pass a federal background check with a misdemeanor on your record. However, the impact of the misdemeanor on your employment prospects depends on its nature and relevance to the job you’re applying for. What disqualifies you from a federal background check will depend on the employer’s background check policy.
Will an expungement show up on a federal background check?
Generally, expunged or sealed records should not show up on a federal background check. But some types of employment, particularly those involving national security, may require disclosure of all interactions with law enforcement, including expunged records.
How long is a federal background check good for?
This depends on the employer and the nature of the position. While there is no set expiry date for a federal background check, many companies choose to rescreen employees periodically, especially those in positions of trust or roles handling sensitive information.
Does a federal background check include a drug test?
Federal background checks do not generally include drug testing. However, certain government positions may require drug testing as a condition of employment.
Are federal background checks required for all jobs?
No, federal background checks are not necessary for all jobs. They are typically used for positions where the individual handles sensitive information or high-value assets, including sectors like finance, healthcare, law enforcement, education, government, and defense.
Run a background check with GoodHire
Running a federal background check helps employers view a more complete picture of a candidate’s criminal history, including information about past interactions with the federal court system. Individuals can also benefit from checking their own federal court records to understand what employers may see and update inaccurate information if needed.
For employment purposes
Employers that run background checks with GoodHire receive access to our compliance-first approach and easy workflows. GoodHire offers small-business friendly pricing for comprehensive background checks, along with robust integrations with popular human resources and ATS platforms. Start your first federal background check with GoodHire.
For personal use
GoodHire’s personal background check service offers easy self-service access to federal records and other common background check screenings. Knowing what’s on your background report can provide peace of mind and an opportunity to correct errors to be reflected on your report from GoodHire. Order your personal background check today.
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Disclaimer
The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.
About the Author
Sarah writes about small business topics and corporate communications. She has written on a wide range of topics, including background checks, hiring trends, company culture, and employee training and development. Her work includes educational articles, press releases, newsletters, and employee onboarding collateral.