In recent years, background checks have become so prevalent that it is fair to say that they are the norm for almost any pre-employment process. Hiring managers, recruiters, and HR specialists work very hard to ensure that the new people they allow entry into the workplace are responsible and trustworthy individuals who are fit for the role they were hired to fill.
In some states, Level 2 background screening is a requirement for more sensitive job positions. A thorough examination of the criminal records of people trying to get into a job that involves caring for vulnerable individuals is a move that makes sense, so it is commonly practiced.
This article focuses on Level 2 background checks and answers questions like what they are, what they screen, how far back they go, how long they take, and more.
What Is a Level 2 Background Check?
A Level 2 background check is a comprehensive examination of an individual’s criminal record. It involves using the fingerprint of the screened individual and running it against the FBI’s and state’s law enforcement databases.
As of right now, the Level 2 background check is only defined as such in Florida’s state law, while the remaining 49 states simply refer to it as a fingerprint background check.
While most American employers rely on employment background check services to verify the integrity of their candidates, employers in Florida may run a Level 2 employment background check on potential hires.
Checking the criminal records of job candidates is a very common practice, particularly when it comes to jobs with higher levels of responsibility. This includes working with children, the elderly, mental health patients, and other vulnerable groups.
For example, in many states, a healthcare background check will involve a fingerprint, or a Level 2 background check for healthcare workers. If certain offenses are found in the report, the candidates are disqualified immediately and can’t go through with the employment process.
How Far Does a Level 2 Background Check Go?
The Level 2 background check is more rigorous and can report on criminal records at any point of the individual’s life, including juvenile records, that generally are not reported in other criminal background checks.
Since there are no federal laws that restrict the Level 2 background check from going too far back in the individual’s past, American states create their own state laws. This means that the state of Florida has its own laws, and all the other states have their own laws about the period on which the Level 2 or fingerprint background checks can report.
Some states follow the guidelines of the Fair Credit Report Act, which is the federal law that regulates how far back background checks can go. But there are differences in the way these states interpret the FCRA and restrict reporting on crimes in background checks.
Some states never report pending charges, others never report convictions older than seven years unless the expected annual salary of the candidate is over $20,000, etc.
Depending on the state, all kinds of restrictions and exceptions can be found, particularly at states with Ban the Box laws. Florida and Texas are the only two states in the US where absolutely no ban the box laws exist, which means the restriction in them are minimal.
There are some records, like arrests that didn’t result in a conviction, that won’t be reported after seven years in Florida. However, felony convictions are reported indefinitely.
What Disqualifies You From a Level 2 Background Check?
There’s a lengthy list of offenses that may disqualify certain candidates for specific job positions. However, violent or sex-related felonies are certain to raise a red flag and disqualify the candidate immediately, regardless of the position they’re applying for.
The focus of a Level 2 screening is to find offenses that indicate that the candidate is not fit to be entrusted with a job position that requires high levels of responsibility or care for others.
As such, felonies like murder, kidnapping, sexual misconduct, incest, negligence, and practically any charge that involves children, the elderly or other vulnerable individuals will immediately disqualify.
Here are few examples of the list of Level 2 background check disqualifying offenses:
- Sexual misconduct with developmentally disabled clients or mental health patients;
- Abuse, neglect, or exploitation of aged persons or disabled adults;
- Murder, manslaughter, or aggravated manslaughter, of an elderly person, disabled adult or a child;
- Vehicular homicide;
- Killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother;
- Assault or battery if the victim of the offense was a minor;
- Kiddnapping, false imprisonment, or luring or enticing a child;
- Exhibiting firearms or weapons within 1,000 feet of a school;
- Sexual battery;
- Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors.
How Long Does a Level 2 Background Check Take?
Employers who want to run a Level 2 background check on a candidate as a part of the pre-employment process must get the candidate’s written consent.
After receiving permission, they can hire a livescan service vendor to get the candidate’s fingerprint and submit it to the agency and law enforcement departments that will run the check.
The process of transmitting the fingerprint to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement may take up between 24 and 72 hours.
Then, another five to seven business days are necessary for the background screening units to review the screenings they receive from the FDLE. On the other hand, FBI Level 2 background checks might take up to 30 days to be completed.
Where to Get a Level 2 Background Check?
Looking up Level 2 background check online is the easiest way to find a trusted background check service providers. Depending on the budget and the required examination details, it is recommended to browse through these websites and decide which one best fits the criteria.
How Much Is a Level 2 Background Check?
The Level 2 background check cost can vary depending on the chosen provider, the purpose of the screening, and the department of the job position in question.
Requesting a criminal history record check from the FLDE costs $24 + a $1 credit card processing fee. However, using a provider to run an in-depth Level 2 background check is much more expensive as it takes more time and effort to create a comprehensive report.
For example, one of the most popular Level 2 background check providers, GoodHire, has a starting price of $29.99. Since these providers usually offer additional services like social media background checks, past-employment verifications, etc, if extra checks are ordered, their price can jump to $200 or more.
The starting price of a Level 2 background check is usually around $75 and $100 with most providers, excluding the state and federal charges.
What’s the Highest Level Background Check?
There is no official classification of background checks with levels. As mentioned above, Florida is the only state with the words ‘Level 2’ written in its law, while all other states call this check a fingerprint background screening.
The confusion is caused by the livescan service vendors, which name their services Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and sometimes even Level 4 background checks. While Level 4 check sounds like it is twice as thorough as Level 2 check, it is actually the same criminal records examination with additional services like social media and past-employment background screenings.
The Bottom Line
Level 2 background checks are in-depth screenings of the criminal records of individuals looking to get a job that involves caring for vulnerable groups. Some violent or sex-related offenses will disqualify candidates from getting the job immediately, and these checks focus on finding them.
Many trusted providers offer Level 2 background check services online, and the process of hiring them is very straightforward. Employers who struggle with cross-referencing the criminal records of potential hires should definitely consider looking them up, as they make hiring the right people much easier.
