If you are job hunting in North Carolina, most employers will run a background check before they extend you an offer or shortly after you accept one.
But do you know what shows up when someone searches your background?
At iprospectcheck, we handle thousands of background checks every day, so we know how employers review your information and where report errors can appear.
Here’s how to check your own background before an employer does, so you can catch errors, verify your personal details, and see what a hiring manager will find on your report.
Key Takeaways
- Running a self-background check in North Carolina lets you uncover errors in your records, spot potential identity theft, and see exactly how your background looks to employers before they review it.
- North Carolina background checks typically include identity verification, criminal history, driving records, employment and education history, professional license status, and sometimes public social media activity.
- iprospectcheck provides accurate, employer-grade personal background reports you can rely on when preparing for your job search.
Why Run a Background Check on Yourself in North Carolina?
Fix Errors Before Employers See Them
There are many reasons to run your background check proactively. You might find outdated information, incorrect details, sealed or expunged records, or records that actually belong to someone who shares your exact identifying information. You may find an open warrant that you did not even know existed. We see this quite frequently.
Reviewing your own background gives you time to dispute and correct those errors before they cost you a job opportunity.
Catch Identity Theft Early
If someone has used your personal information without your knowledge, your report may show accounts or activity, such as warrant arrests and convictions that you are completely unaware of.
According to the NC Department of Justice, data breaches in North Carolina recently hit a record high, affecting over 9.2 million residents. Your personal information may already be compromised.
Checking your own background early lets you spot those red flags, take steps to protect yourself, and make sure fraudulent information does not reach an employer’s desk.
Review Your Online Presence
Take a look at your social media profiles the way a hiring manager would before you start applying for jobs.
North Carolina employers commonly review publicly available social media during the screening process, and posts you made years ago can still shape how they see you as a candidate.
A social media screening analysis can help you identify content that does not align with the professional image you want to present.
Prepare for Interview Discussions
Employers may ask you about details that appear on your background report during the interview.
When you already know what your report shows, you can answer those questions directly and provide honest context where it is needed.
Knowing what to expect helps you stay focused and confident throughout the hiring process.
What Shows Up on a Personal Background Check in North Carolina?
What appears on your background check depends on the type of job you are pursuing and any legal or industry requirements tied to that role.
Most personal background reports in North Carolina include:
Identity Verification
Background checks typically start with confirming who you are.
Providers like iprospectcheck use this step to confirm the records they find actually belong to you and not someone with a similar name.
Accurate identity verification makes sure your report reflects your history and no one else’s.
Criminal History
A North Carolina criminal background check may pull information from national criminal databases, state records, federal criminal records, and county court systems.
Providers typically search locations where you have lived and worked over the past several years.
Your report may include felony convictions, misdemeanors, and any cases still pending, depending on what the employer needs to see for that particular role.
Records that have been sealed or expunged, charges that did not lead to a conviction, and certain older entries typically stay off the report.
Like most employers for most positions, we will report felony and misdemeanor convictions looking back 10 years and reporting records for the last 7 years.
Social Media Analysis
When employers order a social media screening, providers scan your public activity across major platforms and pull together posts, photos, and comments into a single report.
Content that comes across as offensive, discriminatory, or unprofessional can raise red flags and decrease your chances of getting the job.
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How to Run a Background Check on Yourself in North Carolina
Option 1: Do-It-Yourself
You can gather your own background information by going directly to official sources in North Carolina and federal government systems.
Here are the main sources to check:
- North Carolina Criminal History (State Check) – You can request your criminal history through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The process requires fingerprint submission through an authorized location, and the report covers arrests and convictions recorded at the state level.
- County Court Records – Employers often search records from counties where you have lived or worked. North Carolina provides online access to many court records through the North Carolina Courts case search portal, though coverage can vary by county, so you may need to check several jurisdictions separately.
- Driving Record – If your role involves driving, employers will likely pull your motor vehicle record. You can request your driving history through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to review any violations, suspensions, or license issues before an employer does.
- Federal Court Records – Some positions require a search of federal criminal or civil records. You can subscribe to PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) to search for any federal cases associated with your name.
- Sex Offender Registry – Many background checks include a sex offender registry search. You can verify your status through the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry and the National Sex Offender Public Website to confirm your information is correct.
- Social Media and Online Presence – Search your name online and go through your public social media profiles. North Carolina employers frequently review publicly available information when evaluating candidates.
- Education Verification – Contact the schools you attended to request transcripts or confirm your degrees and certifications.
- Employment Verification – Reach out to previous employers to verify your job titles, employment dates, and responsibilities. Keep in mind that some companies use third-party verification services, so you may need to request your records through those providers directly.
Pros:
- Low or no cost in most cases
- Direct access to official government records
- You control every step of the process
Cons:
- Gathering everything takes significant time and effort
- Some records require fingerprints or an in-person visit
- Information is spread across multiple agencies and systems
- The results may not match the format employers actually see
Best For:
This option suits you best if you want to keep costs down and are comfortable doing the legwork to pull records from multiple sources on your own. This also assumes that you have a deep enough understanding of the legal system to interpret the results that you do find. Most people are completely confused by this process.
Option 2: Order a Personal Background Check from iprospectcheck
If you want a faster and more straightforward option, you can request a self-background check directly through iprospectcheck.
We provide FCRA-compliant reports that reflect the type of information North Carolina employers typically review during the hiring process.
Pros:
- Detailed, employer-level reports
- Prepared by experienced screening professionals
- Quick turnaround times (Most North Carolina background reports take less than an hour to complete)
- Secure online access to your results
- Clear and easy-to-read format
- Strong data privacy and protection measures
Cons:
- There is a cost for the service
- You must provide personal information to verify your identity
Best For:
This option works well if you want a thorough and accurate report without spending time tracking down and trying to decipher records across multiple sources on your own.
How to Get Started:
Go to our secure platform, pick the package that works best for you, and complete your order online.
Once you receive your report, go through it carefully.
If you find anything that looks off, such as incorrect employment details, records that are no longer current, or information that does not belong to you, contact us for support.
To correct criminal record errors in North Carolina, you will need to work with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation or the specific county court that submitted the information.
Get a Personal Background Check with iprospectcheck
Before you send out a single application in North Carolina, run your own background check so you can catch errors, spot any surprises, and confirm your records are accurate.
iprospectcheck gives you access to detailed, employer-grade background reports that show exactly what hiring managers will find when they screen you.
Order your report today and start your job search knowing exactly what your background shows.
DISCLAIMER: The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Consult your counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.
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FAQs
How Much Does a Personal Background Check in North Carolina Cost?
iprospectcheck offers several self-background check packages for individuals in North Carolina:
- Social Media Analysis – $19.95
- Basic Background Check – starting at $39.95
- Employer-Level Background Check – starting at $59.95
- Healthcare Package – starting at $79.95
- Executive Premium Package – starting at $89.95
Court access fees and optional add-ons will affect your total.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Personal Background Check in North Carolina?
iprospectcheck delivers most reports within an hour of placing your order.
Searches that span multiple counties or require third-party verification can take longer.
In some cases, turnaround time may extend up to 30 days, depending on how quickly courts and agencies provide their records.
Do Expunged Records Show Up on a Background Check in North Carolina?
Sealed or expunged records in North Carolina should not appear on background checks that private employers order through standard screening providers.
That said, law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and professional licensing boards may retain access to certain records under specific circumstances.
If you are pursuing a licensed or regulated position, look into what records employers in that field can legally review before you apply.
How Far Back Do Background Checks Go in North Carolina?
We provide a 10-year search for records reportable within a seven-year reporting window. The Fair Credit Reporting Act restricts non-conviction records, such as arrests and civil judgments, to a seven-year reporting window for positions paying under $75,000 annually.
Industries like healthcare, education, finance, and law enforcement often require deeper screening due to stricter state and federal oversight in those industries.
What Are My Rights Under Background Check Laws in North Carolina?
If you are applying for jobs in North Carolina, several federal and state laws protect how employers can collect and use your background information:
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Before an employer runs a background check on you, they must notify you in writing and get your written consent. While you can refuse to give consent, the employer can deny employment based on your refusal. If they decide not to hire you based on what the report shows, they must follow the adverse action process. That means giving you a copy of the report, informing you of your rights, and allowing you time to dispute any errors before they make a final decision.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Employers cannot use background checks in a way that discriminates against you based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. If a conviction appears on your report, the employer should evaluate whether it directly relates to the job, how much time has passed, and whether it poses a genuine concern for that specific role. They can also consider how your conviction could affect workplace safety.
- Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (FCA): This federal law covers federal employers and contractors. They cannot ask you about your criminal history until after they extend a conditional job offer. If a federal contractor violates this rule, federal agencies can’t continue to contract with them.
- North Carolina Expungement Statutes: North Carolina allows certain criminal records to be expunged under specific conditions. Under S. 15A-153, employers cannot ask about or use expunged records when making hiring decisions, and you are not required to disclose them on job applications. Once a court expunges a record, it will not appear on standard background checks.
- North Carolina Ban-the-Box (Executive Order 158): Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 158 in 2020, requiring state government agencies to remove criminal history questions from initial job applications. State agencies cannot ask about your criminal record before completing your first interview. They also cannot consider expunged records, pardoned convictions, arrests that did not lead to a conviction, or charges unrelated to the position. Private employers are not legally required to follow this rule, but many choose to adopt it as a best practice.
- Local Fair Chance Hiring Policies: Several cities and counties in North Carolina have adopted their own ban-the-box policies for local government positions, including Charlotte, Carrboro, Durham, Asheville, New Bern, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Spring Lake, Cumberland County, New Hanover County, Durham County, Forsyth County, Mecklenburg County, Wake County, and Buncombe County. These policies delay criminal history inquiries until later in the hiring process.
- North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act (NCEEPA): This state law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. Employers must make sure their background check practices do not unfairly impact candidates in any of these protected categories.
- EEOC Individualized Assessment Guidance: Employers in North Carolina are expected to follow EEOC guidance when evaluating criminal records. Rather than disqualifying candidates automatically, they should consider the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and how it relates to the duties of the role before making a final decision.
