What Is a FBI Background Check?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is widely known for protecting the United States from all sorts of attacks and corruption on all levels. Another essential function the FBI handles is maintaining the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which is a national database of criminal justice information. This database contains criminal justice information that includes; wanted fugitives (America’s Most Wanted list), missing persons, and criminal history information on every citizen, assuming you have any criminal history.
There are different types of background checks, with the FBI Top Secret Clearance being the most thorough and involved. This sort of background check is used for anyone applying to work for the FBI. The process includes;
- a complete set of background investigation forms
- an interview with the FBI office that is processing your forms
- a drug screening
- a polygraph examination
The purpose of the polygraph examination is to check and verify the validity of answers you provide on the background forms.
If everything is legitimate with the first phase of the background check, you will continue through to the second phase of the process, which includes;
- performing a credit check
- a police record check
- interviewing current and former employers and colleagues
- interviewing neighbors, friends, and professors/teachers
This phase of the investigation is very thorough and may take several months for the agency to complete. Once completed, you will receive your FBI Top Secret Security Clearance.
Note: The FBI Top Secret Security Clearance background check is not typical or common practice for most employers that require a background check as a pre-requisite for employment. The employers will have all applicants fill out a background check form that includes your name, any alias’s, and your social security number. The employer will then submit the background check form to a third party company that will process the information.
Generally, most employers are checking your criminal and credit history. The criminal history is pulled from the NCIC national database, which includes felonies, misdemeanors, sex offenses, property crimes, and drug offenses. Traffic violations and minor misdemeanors are not included in the background check.
If anyone is curious about their background and would like to obtain their own FBI background check, they must first get finger printed. The finger prints will prove their identity, and this can be done at any local police or sheriff’s department. There will be a fee for processing the paperwork and the background check can take up to a month, to completely process.
Reasons you would be disqualified for employment, based on the outcome of background check:
- a conviction of a felony
- multiple misdemeanor crimes
- defaulting on any student loans
- poor credit history
Note: In most cases, minor traffic violations will not disqualify you for employment (speeding citations, moving violations, etc…).
A number of companies, small businesses and individuals have begun to routinely run FBI background checks on prospective employees and business partners. In addition, private citizens often have background checks done on themselves before applying for employment, to make certain there aren’t any incorrect items that may cause trouble during the hiring process.
