Arizona State Background Check

What Does a State Background Check Include in Arizona?

Criminal records in a state originate at the county court level. These county courts charge and prosecute crimes committed in their areas. Employers often use an address history search to understand where an applicant has lived and where they may have records. You can then order specific county court searches for records there. However, this is not a guaranteed way of finding every criminal record associated with someone. They may not always have convictions in the same area where they had a formal address.

In Arizona, a criminal background check can provide greater insight into these scenarios. County courts periodically report their records into a central database maintained at the state level. The criminal history records section of the state’s Department of Public Safety maintains public records from all counties within Arizona. The database includes criminal records from Arizona counties, including Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai, and Pima. We offer state criminal checks in 44 states, including Arizona and the Phoenix metro area.

Exploring Arizona Background Check Laws Before You Screen

Pre-employment background checks are regulated consumer reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). However, many states also have their own rules in place. Before ordering a criminal history check in AZ, you should review these regulations to ensure compliance. Here’s a quick look at the most significant regulatory categories employers should know.

Arrest Records

Arizona technically does not restrict employers from considering arrest records when they conduct a background check. However, employers should avoid using them to decline job applications, especially with non-conviction arrests. The EEOC and other rights agencies warn against using arrests as the basis for disqualification, as it may be discriminatory. At backgroundchecks.com, we do not report arrest records or include them in our databases. Employers should consider conviction records and avoid the pitfalls of arrests that don’t necessarily indicate guilt.

Conviction Records

Private employers may ask about and use unsealed conviction records during hiring. However, the Arizona Civil Rights Division states that employers should be upfront with applicants that a conviction is not an automatic disqualification. Refer to the EEOC’s guidance on the fair usage of background check considerations.

Ban the Box

A ban the box law restricts employers from asking about convictions using the job application. They may also require conditional job offers or other delays in screening. However, there is no ban the box law applicable to private employers in the state of Arizona. Only some county governments and state agencies have such rules in place. Employers are free to craft policies that align with their preferences.

How Long Does it Take to Receive a State of Arizona Background Check Report?

Turnaround times for a background check in AZ often depend on the responsiveness of the state’s system. Some states offer rapid results through online searches, while others may take time to process and verify requests. Some organizations may be able to streamline their timeline by participating in the Noncriminal Justice (NCJ) Compliance Program, which applies to regulated groups like educators.

In general, you can expect results within one to three business days. However, delays may prolong the process. High volume or computer system troubles are common reasons for delays at the state level.

The Scope of a State Record Check

How far back can you find criminal records with an Arizona check? No law in this state regulates the age of the conviction records reported on a background check. Per the FCRA, specific non-conviction information, such as arrest records, may disappear from a record after seven years. However, a conviction in Arizona may appear on a background check indefinitely, and employers are free to consider them during the hiring process.

What Shows up on an Arizona Background Check?

Background checks drawn from Arizona state-level records may include reports from different county courts. These reports may contain different levels of detail. In general, you may see all or only some of the following facts about someone’s criminal record:

• Jurisdiction of record
• Case number
• Defendant
• Charge
• Filing date
• Degree of offense, such as a misdemeanor
• Disposition
• Disposition date
• Sentence

Find Support and Start Screening Today

Improve your hiring process in Arizona with a state background check. Expand the scope of your screening process and discover records from counties where applicants may not have lived. The right tools make the difference as you create a comprehensive screening process. At backgroundchecks.com, we deliver speedy turnarounds and detailed, easy-to-read reports. Start your order today.