Background checks are common for hiring, licensing, and anything else that requires a screening process to review a person’s history. However, there isn’t just one type of background check used for everything. There are different types of background checks conducted, with each going to different lengths to review someone’s past and verify their information.
Among the many, one of the most commonly used background checks is a level 2 background check, and in this article, we will take a closer look at exactly this type of background check. Continue reading our guide to learn all about level 2 background checks, including how they compare to other types of background checks in the same category.
What Is a Level 2 Background Check?
A level 2 background check is an extensive type of screening that typically includes fingerprint-based checks through federal and state databases. It is a background check that’s commonly used for positions involving vulnerable individuals, such as children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Naturally, jobs that often run a level 2 background check include teaching positions, healthcare, nursing homes, and daycares.
What makes a level 2 background check different is that it looks at an individual’s criminal history in greater detail than a standard screening. Although the exact scope may depend on the jurisdiction and the purpose, a level 2 background check often includes arrests, convictions, and warrants from multiple sources.
Another point that makes level 2 background checks stand out from others, particularly level 1 background checks, which we compare below, is that they can look back beyond the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s seven-year rule. This is because level 2 background checks are designed to reveal someone’s complete criminal history due to the sensitivity of the positions involved.
How a Level 2 Background Check Is Different From a Level 1 Background Check?
The main difference between a level 1 background check and a level 2 background check is the depth of the screening. A level 1 background check is usually more limited in terms of its scope, mostly involving an individual’s basic details and name-based details.
A level 2 background check, on the other hand, is fingerprint-based and searches federal and state criminal databases from a variety of sources to have a complete picture of someone’s criminal history.
Because level 2 background checks are more detailed, they cost more to employers. Unless the position involves vulnerable individuals or the employees have a legal requirement to undergo a more comprehensive screening, most employers run a level 1 background check, especially for common positions.
Can You Run a Level 2 Background Check on Someone?
While you can run an online background check, you cannot do the same when it comes to a level 2 background check. In most cases, a level 2 background check is restricted to employers, government agencies, and organizations that have a legal obligation to run one on someone. Therefore, it is not available for individuals to run.
Besides, a level 2 background check would require consent forms that authorize it, so you can’t run it on someone on demand.
Complying With the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
All background checks, regardless of their scope, must follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. This law governs how background information is collected and used. Under the FCRA, individuals undergoing a level 2 background check must be informed about the information collected to conduct the screening, hence the consent forms that authorize a background check.
Other than a level 2 background check, basic background checks must also follow certain rules. When you run an online background check on someone, for example, you cannot use the information you collected to harass them, stalk them, or decide on employment, including domestic help, such as hiring a nanny or a housemaid.
Now You Know All About a Level 2 Background Check
We’ve covered what a level 2 background check is, how it is different from a level 1 background check, whether you can run a level 2 background check on someone, and what the federal law says about all this. Now that you know all about a level 2 background check, you can better navigate the screening process and know what to expect.
In case you’re curious about what might appear on the results of a level 2 background check, you can work with a consumer reporting agency or run a quick online background check on yourself to see a glimpse of what might show up.
