--- title: What’s in a background check and why is it important? description: Why are background checks important to conduct in the hiring process? --- [![BCN Services](https://info.bcnservices.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/BCN_Services_August2020/images/bcn-logo_blue_low-res_281-300x173.jpg?width=1200&height=200&name=bcn-logo_blue_low-res_281-300x173.jpg "BCN Services")](https://www.bcnservices.com/) - Menu Item 1 - Sub-menu Item 1 - Another Item - Sub-menu Item 2 - Menu Item 2 - Yet Another Item - Menu Item 3 - Menu Item 4 - Menu Item 1 - Sub-menu Item 1 - Another Item - Sub-menu Item 2 - Menu Item 2 - Yet Another Item - Menu Item 3 - Menu Item 4 [Search](https://info.bcnservices.com/?s=) # [BCN Services Blog](https://info.bcnservices.com) You are here: [Home](https://www.bcnservices.com) / [BCN Services Blog](https://info.bcnservices.com) / What’s in a background check and why is it important? ## [What’s in a background check and why is it important?](https://info.bcnservices.com/whats-background-check-important) August 28, 2013 Surveys suggest that more than 80 percent of companies conduct some type of background search as part of the hiring process. A review of professional employment background often contains criminal records, driving records, and education verification. Additional searches such as the Sex Offender Registry, education verification, reference checks, credit reports and Patriot Act searches are becoming increasingly common. ## List of commonly searched data Here is what employers often look for in doing background checks: 1. ****Criminal court litigation**** 2. ****Incarceration records**** 3. ****Civil court litigation records**** 4. **Driving and vehicle records:** Employers in the transportation sector seek drivers with clean driving records-(i.e., those without a history of accidents or traffic tickets). 5. **Drug tests:** Used for a variety of reasons - corporate ethics, measuring potential employee performance, and keeping workers' compensation premiums down. 6. **Education records:** Used primarily to see if the potential employee had, in fact, received a college degree. There are incidences of test scores being requested by employers as well. 7. **Employment records:** These can range from simple verbal confirmations of past employment and time frame to deeper investigations, such as discussions about performance, activities and accomplishments, and relations with others. 8. **Financial information:** Individuals with poor credit scores, liens, civil judgments, or those who have filed for bankruptcy are of interest because they may be at an additional risk of stealing from the company. 9. **Military records:**  Although not as common today as it was in the past 50 years, employers frequently requested the specifics of a person’s military discharge. 10. **Social Security Number** (or equivalent outside of the United States): A fraudulent SSN may be indicative of identity theft, questionable right-to-work status, or concealment of a "past life.” ## How long does it take to complete a background check? The industry uses the term "Turn Around Time" to describe how long it takes to complete a background check. The times vary significantly based on what searches are conducted in the check, the particular courthouse where records are being searched, and various other factors. The truth is that many searches take minutes or hours and some take many days or even up to a week. The average criminal records search at a county courthouse takes approximately 2-3 business days, with it taking longer for verification of employment and education. Of course all professional checks are subject to a unique set of laws and regulations, so only fully compliant screening with a trusted background check provider is recommended. Let BCN Services handle all your background check needs and keep you in compliance. 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