Federal Background Check: What HR Needs to Know
May 9 2025
As an HR professional, you understand the critical nature of selecting the right candidates for hire. You know how to identify those who are skilled and enthusiastic about the work and possess the right personal traits to thrive in your organization.
Federal criminal background checks can be a helpful tool, but it’s important to know when they’re most useful and what information they provide that can’t be found in other types of screenings. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect when you use federal background checks during the hiring process.
What’s a Federal Background Check?
A federal background check will return specific information about pending cases or convictions in one of the 94 U.S. district courts or 13 appellate courts. These cases may consist of white-collar federal crimes such as healthcare, mortgage, or securities fraud. Other examples include identity theft, tax evasion, money laundering, or counterfeiting.
Some cases involve violent federal offenses, such as murder, manslaughter, or robbery, as well as transporting, kidnapping, or trafficking victims across state lines. Federal criminal background checks allow you to collect any case files and documentation related to the federal court case and the identity, history, and background of the person being tried.
You can limit the electronic results for your search to a specific district or broaden it to include all district and appellate courts. This gives you the flexibility you need to tailor these background checks to your hiring process and business needs.
The Key Differences Between Federal Background Checks and County or State Searches
The most important difference between federal criminal background checks and county or state searches is the scope of the search. Federal background checks are limited to federal crimes and courts.
The sources for a federal criminal case search are also different, as they use data from U.S. district courts and databases like the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. In contrast, a county or state search relies on local court records, law enforcement data and reports, and information from corrections departments.
The Difference Between a Federal Background Check and an FBI Criminal Background Check
Federal Background Checks
Federal background checks are focused on one goal: searching federal courts for evidence of criminal history. These employment screenings may be used by private organizations and are often reserved for executive roles and roles in which the candidate will have access to financial resources or highly sensitive information. However, federal criminal histories can be useful for many roles. For example, if you are hiring an administrator for a doctor’s office, you may find that your candidate has previously been convicted of selling patient files.
FBI Background Checks
An FBI background check for employment is much broader in scope, searching for information on a national level. They typically go deep into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), and other federal databases to uncover any interactions a person has had with law enforcement or the courts.
This employment screening will reveal any arrests at the local, state, and federal levels. Along with felony and misdemeanor convictions, it will return traffic violations and even parking tickets. Often, candidates must use the fingerprinting services of an authorized FBI criminal background check provider to undergo the screening process.
While the FBI background check process provides a comprehensive view of someone’s history and criminal record, it is typically reserved for certain types of roles and organizations, such as federal jobs and roles with government contractors dealing with sensitive information or matters of national security.
When to Use a Federal Background Check for Your Candidates
Many companies choose to focus only on county, state, or national criminal searches, but a federal background check is often a worthwhile addition to a comprehensive background check. Some clients have their highest hit rate at the federal level.
In particular, federal criminal history searches are important for the following roles:
Financial Roles
In the financial industry, it’s critical to hire candidates who are familiar with and committed to adhering to all regulations. Due diligence through background checks can reduce your company’s compliance risks and keep you out of hot water with federal agencies and courts.
Additionally, you need to ensure your clients’ assets and sensitive data are protected. A federal criminal background check allows you to screen out candidates who may have been involved in financial crimes, including embezzlement, fraud, and money laundering.
Government Roles
Federal criminal background checks are required for some state and federal government roles. This is especially true when the role requires a security clearance, as these candidates will have access to sensitive data that must be safeguarded at all costs.
Because law enforcement agencies fall into the category of government roles, most candidates must undergo a federal background check before being hired.
Employees Who Work in Highly Regulated Industries
If your industry is subject to stringent federal regulations, you must hire candidates with a history of compliance. In-depth federal checks help organizations in sectors like healthcare and finance maintain public trust by identifying potential risks and reducing liability.
Employees Who Work With Vulnerable Populations
A federal background check can be necessary for roles where a candidate will be working with children, the elderly, or those with disabilities. These checks help protect vulnerable populations from fraud and, in many states, they are required for educators, childcare workers, and healthcare providers.
Federal Criminal Background Checks Are an Essential Form of Protection
As an HR professional, one of your goals is to ensure the safety of your company, your colleagues, and your clients. Federal criminal background checks allow you to hire candidates committed to these same goals.
If you need to build a solid background check strategy for your company, InfoMart can assist. Contact us today to see how our seamless background check services will help you maintain trust with those who matter most.
About Tammy Cohen
Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record.
About InfoMart
InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.