Successful Employee Hires, Level 2 Background Checks In Florida

When you hire new employees, you must conduct a thorough and complete pre-employment level 2 background check. The level 2 check provides you with all the information required to make an informed decision on whether or not the candidate is a good fit for your organization.

What is a level 2 background check in Florida?

There are two different kinds of background checks applied in Florida. To understand what a level 2 background check means, let us define what a level 1 background check entails. 

Level 1 background check

Level 1 background checks retain the applicant’s name and employment history. Background checks may consist of fingerprints, a national criminal history record check, a national sex offender registry, a credit check, and a credit history.

Level 2 background check

Level 2 background checks are screening processes for employers to verify an applicant’s criminal, education, and personal record. Level 2 background check requires an extensive search of social security numbers, criminal records, and other databases to uncover any past and present issues that could become a prohibiting factor for potential job placement.

The level 2 screening service includes an electronic Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) search and fingerprint search submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It usually takes longer to get the results of a Level 2 background check because it is more in-depth and covers more information than a Level 1. 

Who is required to take a level 2 background check?

Employers with significant levels of trust or responsibility are required to conduct level 2 background checks. Among the jobs that may require a level 2 background check involves working with children, the elderly, or other vulnerable groups. As well as, anyone who handles money or property, operates vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds, or operates the equipment that could cause serious injury, if negligent.

Pre-screening Requirements for level 2 background check 

Employers who carry out Level 2 Background Checks are obligated to meet the requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Whether you are conducting a state or a national level 2 background check, the requirements to do so will vary. 

• For level 1 background checks, the employer must submit a fingerprint card or name.

• Level 2 background check requires fingerprinted processes by an approved and certified law enforcement agency.

What are disqualifying offenses for level 2 background checks?

The following is a list of offenses that are prohibited for level 2 background checks:

• Any felony conviction (including murder, manslaughter, and sexual misconduct) within ten years before the application.

• Misdemeanor convictions within five years before application include crimes of theft, fraud, and possession of drugs or alcohol.

• Any drug-related charge involving possession or sale within five years prior

• Domestic violence convictions within three years

• Violent crimes

What does a level 2 background check show?

A level 2 background check screens an applicant’s criminal history, including convictions, arrests, and outstanding warrants. This thorough check also checks the sex offender registry, lawsuits, judgments, liens, bankruptcies, home value, and property ownership, 30-year address history, relatives & associates, neighbors, marriage records, and more.

The information provided is verified by the Florida Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).

The database used to search includes information from:

• Statewide storage of criminal records (jail bookings) from all 67 counties in Florida.

• Federal database containing national records.

• The National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) is a criminal records database allowing criminal justice agencies to enter or search for information to get criminal histories and access the National Sex Offender Registry.

How far back does a background check go?

Florida has no laws that limit how far back an employer can look into a candidate’s past regarding criminal convictions. However, the state does abide by national laws, including the FCRA. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), mandates the “seven-year rule,” in which arrests are not reported for more than seven years on any background check.

How long does a background check take in Florida?

The average processing time for reviewing these screenings is 5 to 7 business days once the results are received from FDLE. Though, it usually takes longer to get the results of a Level 2 background check because it is more in-depth and covers more information than a Level 1. 

Conclusion

Hiring the right employees can make or break a company, and with this in mind, it’s important to take every precaution to ensure successful employee hires.

Level 2 Background Checks are a great way to ensure that any potential employees or tenants you may be interviewing are thoroughly vetted. With the help of our reliable team, Level 2 Background Checks in Florida can help protect both employers and residents alike.

Through this process, employers can also maintain their right to hire qualified individuals free from discrimination as they are able to access important personal data such as criminal history.

This type of background check ensures that all parties involved into honest and responsible about who might become part of their team or living environment.

How to get started with a Level 2 background check in Florida

We are FDLE certified, and the number one trusted source for level 2 background checks by thousands of organizations in Florida, and around the country.

With us, you can rest assured that your background checks are accurate, reliable, and dependable.

At One Stop Public Services, we take it from Here.