State Resource

Background Checks For Massachusetts

Sign Up Today

2 February 2024

 

 

 

 

Background Checks

NCS makes navigating Massachusetts background checks easier! Whether you work in fishing, manufacturing, technology, education or a different industry, background checks are a critical part of the hiring process.

 

Massachusetts

 

Accessing Criminal Records

In Massachusetts, it is legal for private and public employers to conduct inquiries about an applicant’s criminal history as part of the pre-employment background screening process; this includes reviewing conviction records. NCS makes reading reports easy. Our criminal background checks report convictions and serious pending cases that belong to your applicant.

Employers are prohibited from asking about or considering arrest records that have been expunged, pertain to charges that have been dropped or dismissed or did not lead to conviction may not access sealed records, or require candidates to disclose details regarding arrests or convictions that were expunged from their criminal record. In fact, employers are required to specifically inform candidates that they are under no obligation to share any information regarding expunged charges.

Massachusetts employers who decide against hiring applicants due to information found in a background screening need to follow certain legal steps, according to a state law. As an employer in Massachusetts, once you have made your decision, you have 10 days to let applicants know they will not be hired. Notice must be in writing and include information about the application’s legal rights as well provide the name, address and phone number of the Consumer Reporting Agency used for the reporting.

To protect the salary history of employees, Massachusetts employers also cannot request information from applicants related to salary history or wages earned at any previous places of employment. 

Learn More About What Records NCS Reports

 

 

Massachusetts

Criminal History

Our services have you covered with comprehensive, affordable pre-employment screening services. Choose one of our featured criminal history packages and add on any of the optional individual services.

  • For our Massachusetts customers, we recommend using our featured packages and other services for a comprehensive background check:

    • Essential
    • Enhanced
    • Expanded
    • Motor Vehicle Reports
    • Employment Credit Reports
    • Education Verification
    • Employment Verification
    • And much more

Volunteer and Tenant Screening packages are also available. 

We now offer Continuous Monitoring which is used to stay on top of applicant's criminal records after they have been hired. New arrests, pending cases and convictions will be reported. If an employer chooses to review and weigh arrest records in a hiring decision, they must thoughtfully consider EEOC recommendations, as well as anti-discrimination guidelines presented by the FCRA and in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. When a conviction record leads to the disqualification of a candidate for a position, this should be documented at each stage of the review/hiring process and be based on the relevancy of a conviction to the responsibilities of the job itself.

 Please view our Services & Pricing page to view all of our packages and pricing.

  • Charge
  • Charge degree (example: misdemeanor or felony)
  • Charge date
  • Filing date
  • Disposition
  • Disposition date
  • County where the offense took place
  • Sentence

National Crime Search reports all convictions within 7 years.

 

 

Drug Screening

With a few easy steps, your employees can schedule their drug screen at a collection site they choose at a time that is convenient for them. DOT testing and random testing are also available.

 

 

Electronic Form I-9 & E-Verify Management

NCS can help you comply with the law with our easy-to-use system that guides and stores new hire Form I-9s online and returns E-Verify results instantly.

 

 

Ban the Box Policies – Massachusetts

When conducting employment background checks, employers in Massachusetts may not request that an applicant disclose criminal history on an initial application form, with some exceptions. Employer also may not ask about:

  • An arrest, detention, or disposition that did not result in a conviction
  • A first conviction for a certain misdemeanors
  • Misdemeanors more than 3 years old 
  • Sealed or expunged criminal records

Ban-the-box laws also apply to public sector employers for the city of Boston and public sector employers and vendors in the city of Cambridge.

 

download
Contact US

Navigate State Background Checks and Compliance with NCS

Enjoy an expedited, compliant and informed hiring process with National Crime Search's comprehensive Criminal Background Checks.

Contact us today to learn how our services can seamlessly integrate with your HR needs, and help you hire with confidence and peace of mind about the regulations that apply to your organization.

 

 

More State Resources
wave divider

More insights from our blog

All Posts