Safety and security weigh heavily on the minds of many employers, especially now that workplace incidents seem to be more commonplace and employees in various fields have been found guilty of preying on the public, including children, the elderly, and other especially vulnerable populations. Incidents like this aren’t just bad PR; they are also heart-breaking to those affected and can even leave a lasting stigma that can threaten the very existence of a company.
Many industries such as gaming, security, healthcare, education, and even volunteer organizations are required by the state to have employees undergo background checks. Others are not, leaving it up to the employer to perform due diligence before hiring an employee. Whether you are required to or want to perform background checks for the safety of your employees and the customers you serve, it is important to know what options are available for background check services for employers in Nevada.
Types of Background Checks for Nevada Employers
Name-Based Background Checks
These background checks are based on personal identifiers, including the applicant’s name, birthdate, weight, and height. As you might imagine, the information provided may not always be accurate. Additionally, crimes that have been committed under other names will not appear on the report. “False hits” can also come up from other individuals who share a name with the applicant, leading to confusion, the loss of a good potential hire, or even a lawsuit. State police may not underwrite the accuracy of these background checks, as they have concluded that fingerprints are the only way to positively identify someone.
This type of background check is recommended if your company doesn’t qualify for fingerprint background checks, as name/birthdate-based checks are more susceptible to error than background checks using the biometric data associated with fingerprinting. Because of possible inaccuracies or omissions associated with these types of background checks, it is also recommended that you take additional action to ensure the safety and security of your employees and the general public. Get additional tips for screening employees here.
Note that not all vendors’ name-based background checks are equal, so look for a background check company that can access a number of credible databases. Also, be wary of pay-per-click online background checking websites, as they don’t always do a thorough search of databases, leaving you with a false sense of security and possibly inaccurate information. It is estimated that only 40-50% of criminal information is available in the best background check databases and 10% of criminal data is available in the not so great databases. If the fee is really low you may want to consider that you get what you pay for. Some states do not allow the sale of the sex offender registry for profit. This means that information is not reported to these types of name check databases.
At Fingerprinting Express, we have a connection into the Nevada Criminal History Repository and we have access to the best available national reporting databases available for name checks (including criminal records for all seventeen Nevada counties’ court records) for a comprehensive criminal history report, including connections not available to private companies or individuals. Our Express Background Check, with a turnaround time of 24-72 hours, uses the applicant’s name, birthdate, and other numeric identifiers and is the best alternative to a fingerprint background check.
Fingerprinting Express also offers:
- Social Security Search
- Previous Address Search
- National Criminal Database Search
- Landlord Tenant History Verification
- Sex Offender Registry
- Employment Verification
- DMV Records
Fingerprint Background Checks
There are many advantages to using fingerprint criminal background checks instead of name-based criminal background checks. First, every individual has a unique fingerprint, so the issue of multiple hits is eliminated. Applicants can’t falsify the information that they provide like they can with other personal identifiers. Biometric (human body characteristics) fingerprint searches can tap into more accurate and complete criminal databases, including the FBI’s Next Generation Identification Database. Learn more about the differences between name-based and fingerprint background checks here.
Traditional Fingerprint Hard Cards: Most Nevada fingerprint vendors offer ink-based fingerprinting using fingerprint hard cards (commonly FD 258 and FD 259 cards). This fingerprinting submission method takes the longest—eight to sixteen weeks (or more) on average depending on the agency. The fingerprint card is submitted manually to the state and/or FBI via mail along with money order(s).
Electronic Fingerprinting: Electronic fingerprinting via Livescan is a revolutionary new technology that digitally scans an individual’s fingerprints and submits them electronically via a secure internet portal to state agencies and the FBI. This process remedies rejections caused by the operational errors made by law enforcement or other fingerprint vendors and eliminates the mess associated with ink-based prints. Livescan is accepted by regulatory agencies at all governmental levels as well as law enforcement agencies. The Livescan process is available only for employers with active accounts with the Nevada Department of Public Safety. The fingerprints are scanned against the state and FBI criminal databases and results are quickly generated. This is the best method for fast, accurate results, which can come back in days instead of months of waiting for ink fingerprint card results.
If you want to receive your own FBI Criminal History Report, Fingerprinting Express offer the FBI Express option for results within 24 hours. This report is to view your own report, travel outside of the United States on a work or student visa and for adoption. This FBI Express report is often used to prove no criminal history if a false hit comes up on a name search.
Can an Employer Still Require Background Checks If It Is Not Required by a State Agency?
If your company isn’t required by a state agency to obtain employee background checks, you can still have a company policy requiring background checks. Here is some helpful information on what employers need to know about Nevada background checks to stay in compliance with the law. There are legal limits on the type of information you can obtain and how it can be used based on Nevada employment laws and those set forth by the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). It is recommended that you use a highly-reputable Nevada background checking facility to help you stay in compliance. Also, before you run any type of background check as an employer or human resources department, have the applicant sign a waiver allowing you to obtain such information.
Fingerprinting Express: Your Partner for Fast, Affordable Employee Background Check Services
As a leader in the fingerprint and background check industry, Fingerprinting Express provides the best background check services for employers and HR professionals in Nevada. We understand that the hiring process can be difficult, so we work with you to answer any questions and provide your employees and potential hires with fast, courteous, secure services in any of our four top-of-the-line facilities so you can get them working as quickly as possible. Please give us a call at 800-919-0227 to learn more about our employer accounts. We can help you make a great first impression and expedite your hiring process.
Are you an employer in the state of Nevada looking to streamline your hiring process? Discover how a partnership with Fingerprinting Express can help your business increase efficiency with employee background checks and screening today! Get in touch with the Fingerprinting Express team by calling 1-800-919-0227 or send us an email here.
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