Virginia Background Checks
Health Street’s comprehensive range of criminal background checks in Virginia offers employers a thorough view of a job applicant’s records and resume. Whether you are looking for a basic criminal database search or an in-depth dive into court records, employment history, education degrees, credentials, references and more, Health Street’s Virginia background checks get you the information that you need to make decisions that protect your staff, business and yourself. Background checks in Virginia from Health Street are fast, easy, and informative.
What Background Checks in Virginia does Health Street offer?
Criminal Background Check Packages
Health Street offers various pre-built packages of employment background checks, or you can mix and match individual checks for an entirely customized solution. Our most popular criminal background check packages begin with a Social Security Number Trace and include checks of national criminal databases and/or courthouse record searches.
Why Health Street For Virginia Background Checks?
Criminal background check in the Old Dominion must be done in accordance with state law. There are very specific requirements that companies must follow in order to perform a legally compliant background check, and it varies by state. Health Street’s understanding of local laws combined with advanced technologies help keep you in compliance with Virginia background check laws.
A Credit Reporting Agency, or CRA, should do more than just checking a public database on your behalf. Running background checks present a pair of equally troublesome risks:
If you receive information from your CRA that you are not permitted to include in your hiring decision, you can run afoul of laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). On the flip side, if you miss a critical criminal record, it can be even more devastating. For these reasons, it’s critically important to work with a CRA with experience performing comprehensive employment background checks in Virginia.
Virginia’s Expunged Criminal Records
Under Virginia law, employers may not ask job applicants to disclose any criminal arrests, charges, or convictions that have been expunged at any time. Questions regarding an applicant’s criminal history must only refer to situations where the applicant entered a plea of nolo contendere or was found guilty of a crime.
If an applicant is asked about criminal records, he or she is under no obligation to discuss anything that has been expunged or answer any questions related to criminal charges that did not result in a conviction.
Exceptions apply for certain positions, including those in schools, law enforcement, and health and safety industries.
Ban the Box in Virginia
In the state of Virginia, “ban the box” laws only apply to public sector employers (commissions, boards, and agencies) within the Executive Branch. This law requires employers to only make a criminal history inquiry after an applicant is deemed eligible for a position. The purpose of these laws is to give ex-offenders a fair chance of obtaining employment.
Additional legislation took effect on July 1, 2020. It prohibits all employers from requiring applicants to disclose any past charges related to simple marijuana possession. In addition, most prior convictions for simple marijuana possession will no longer be listed on individuals’ criminal records.
A violation of these rules is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. To avoid problems, employers should never ask potential employees about simple marijuana possession convictions and ensure that possession of marijuana is excluded from any questions about an applicant’s criminal history.
Virginia State Crime Statistics
Virginia’s annual report “Crime in Virginia 2019” is compiled by the Virginia Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the Department of State Police. According to the report, the total number of criminal incidents reported in Virginia in 2019 was 375,639. This equals one incident approximately every 1 minute and 24 seconds.
In addition, in 2019, Virginia had:
In 2019, there were 274,636 arrests in the state of Virginia. Of those, 155,317 were white, 114,738 were black/African American, and 3,037 were Asian. Seventy-two percent were male, and 97.8% of arrestees were unarmed.
DOT Background Screening Services
Health Street can perform the often tedious work of DOT background checks for you. We will report our findings in a clear background check document stored in a secure online portal with your other driver file records. The report will include:
You will be able to review this driver background check in the same convenient place where you manage your Virginia criminal background screening, DOT random pool, and driver files.
Credential Verification
Sometimes, the job candidate who seems to be most qualified is lying on his or her resume. In fact, it is quite common for people to misrepresent their education, degrees earned, and work history in order to qualify for a job that they otherwise would not obtain. An unqualified employee – especially one who forges aspects of their experience – creates serious risks for business leaders and HR executives.
Health Street’s background checks in Virginia can verify a person’s resume, confirming the information that they have provided to you about their education, employment history, professional licensure, and degrees earned. We can even check references. Including these options on your background check in Virginia gives you and your business the protection it deserves and the knowledge that you are hiring honest, qualified candidates.