State Resources

Virginia Background Checks | NCS

Written by tammy | Oct 5, 2023 2:27:08 PM

 

 

 

Background Checks

NCS makes hiring easy for our Virginia customers! Whether you work in health care, retail, tourism, tobacco or other agriculture, banking or another industry, background checks are a critical part of the hiring process.

 

Accessing Criminal Records

In Virginia, it is legal for all private and most 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. As we’ll explore, the state and a handful of municipalities and counties have enacted ban-the-box laws, which must be considered to remain compliant when conducting background screening in certain jurisdictions. NCS makes reading reports easy. Our criminal background checks report convictions and serious pending cases that belong to your applicant.

Employers in Virginia are prohibited from making hiring decisions based solely on arrest records because they don’t provide a comprehensive view of the person’s criminal record.

 

 

 

 

 

Drug Screening

In Virginia, employers are not allowed to ask about arrests, criminal charges or convictions related to the possession of marijuana. This law does not apply to distribution or intent to deliver marijuana.

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 – State, Municipal and County 

Virginia is one of many states that enforces a ban-the-box law. The law prohibits public sector employers from asking candidates to divulge if they have criminal history before an initial interview. Some job positions are exempt from this restriction, including law enforcement, local school boards and other “sensitive” positions.

Several municipalities and counties in Virginia have also adopted ban-the-box laws that only apply to the public sector, including: Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Henry County, Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Norfolk County, Danville, Prince William County, Roanoke County, Harrisonburg and Virginia Beach.

Since the extent of these county ban-the-box regulations vary on a case-by-case basis, it’s important for public employers to stay aware of the distinctions that apply within their jurisdiction.

Social Media Background Check Law

While social media background checks are allowed in Virginia, employers are prohibited from requiring applicants or employees to provide their social media passwords or usernames or ask the individual to add them as a social media contact.

 

 

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.

 

 
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