Answer

What is included in a background check?

Background checks often include a criminal history search at a minimum. However, depending upon the nature of the job, for persons in more sensitive, high-level positions or those dealing with vulnerable populations, it may also include investigation of credit reports, sanctions checks, sex offender checks, and/or driving history.

Background checks also may include verification of previous employment, education, professional licenses, and personal or professional references.

DISA accesses a database that consists of more than 180 million criminal record files, which have been compiled from a variety of sources, including local law enforcement, statewide criminal record repositories, departments of corrections, state parole and probation records, local public records sources, etc. to identify pointer data to be verified at the source. DISA also uses data sources to compile counties where a person may have lived. The database file may uncover multiple states/jurisdictions where the applicant had no previous address history. These products serve as a pointer used to determine the jurisdictions in which an individual has lived, worked, or attended school for purposes of criminal history ordering.

If the background check was with DISA, you can dispute it from our Applicant Assistance page.

Background screenings can vary greatly depending on what is required of certain positions, industry standards, and state laws. DISA's products include:

  • Criminal History Checks (Federal, State, and County)
  • Civil Searches (Federal and County)
  • SSN Validity Checks
  • Employment Verifications
  • Education Verifications
  • I-9 and E-Verify
  • State Driving Records
  • Professional Licenses and Credentials
  • Credit Reports
  • Adverse Action Notices
  • Personal Reference Verifications
  • Government Sanctions Lists
  • Sex Offender Searches
  • DOT Testing History
  • Criminal Investigative Services