As an HR professional or business owner in Idaho, finding the right employees is important for building your company’s reputation and success.
Pre-employment background checks are the most effective way to identify qualified and reliable candidates.
At iprospectcheck, we conduct comprehensive, accurate, and compliant Idaho background checks for businesses across the state.
This guide will help you understand the background screening process and its requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Idaho background checks investigate a candidate’s criminal history, employment, education, professional license, driving records, and other relevant details.
- Employers must comply with federal and state laws when they complete background checks in Idaho.
- Common searches employers request include criminal history, employment verification, education verification, professional license verification, credit history, motor vehicle records, and identity verification.
- Best practices include creating a policy, training hiring managers, complying with notice and consent rules, partnering with a reliable provider, timing checks wisely, tailoring searches to the job, reviewing results carefully, individually assessing convictions, and completing the adverse action steps when necessary.
What is an Idaho Background Check?
An Idaho background check researches a job applicant’s personal history by reviewing information about their criminal record, employment, education, professional license, driving records, and other relevant details.
Employers conduct background checks to confirm the claims an applicant has made on their resume, ensure they have the qualifications and experience needed for the job, evaluate their suitability and fit, and verify they’re safe before making a hiring decision.
What Appears on an Idaho Background Check?
Idaho employers most commonly request information about the criminal history, past employment, education, and credentials of their applicants. Based on the nature of the job, an employer might also ask for information about an applicant’s credit and driving records.
Criminal History
For applicants with a criminal record, employers might see the following information on an Idaho pre-employment background check:
- Charge(s)
- Filing date
- Date of disposition
- Whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony
- The disposition of the case
- Some sentencing information
Employment Verification
Employment verification shows the following details about an applicant’s current and former employment:
- Employer names and addresses
- Employment dates
- Job titles and duties
Education Verification
Education verification reveals the following information about an applicant’s educational achievement:
- School names and addresses
- Enrollment dates
- Any degrees or diplomas conferred
Professional License Verification
If you’re hiring for a credentialed position, professional license verification discloses the following information:
- License validity
- License type
- License number
- Issuance date
- Expiration date
- Public discipline/sanctions
Motor Vehicle Records Check
For jobs that require driving, a motor vehicle records check shows the following:
- License number
- Licensee’s full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical descriptors/photograph
- License number
- License class
- Issuance date
- Expiration date
- Suspensions or revocations
- Traffic violations
- Major traffic crimes
Credit History Check
A credit history check reveals the following information about an applicant’s credit:
- Available credit
- Collection accounts
- Debt to income ratio
- Any bankruptcies
- Payment history
- Employer names and addresses
- Indicators of financial distress/fraud
- Other credit inquiries
Identity Verification
Identity verification is an initial search CRAs complete to confirm the candidate’s identity and ensure the records belong to them and not to a person with a similar name.
It also helps employers identify other jurisdictions that should be searched for information.
How to Get an Idaho Employment Background Check
1. Develop a Thorough Background Check Policy
Create a thorough background check policy that includes information about the relevant laws and steps HR must take to maintain compliance.
Explain the types of searches your company performs for different position levels, and make sure all background checks for applicants at the same level are uniform.
2. Train Hiring Managers
Train those who will be responsible for performing background checks about the applicable laws and the steps to take before, during, and after a background check.
3. Adhere to Notice and Consent Requirements
Disclose that your company completes background checks on a separate form.
Obtain your applicant’s written consent before requesting searches.
4. Choose the Right Background Check Provider
Choosing the right background check provider is critical.
When you partner with iprospectcheck, you can be confident that your reports are accurate, up-to-date, and FCRA-compliant.
We deliver fast turn-around times and reliable reports to help you make better hiring decisions.
5. Select Relevant Searches
Choose searches that are relevant to the position.
Tailored background checks help you avoid wasting money on unnecessary reports.
6. Time Checks Wisely
It’s best to wait until the later stages of the hiring process to perform background checks.
Waiting until later saves your company time and money.
If you have or plan to seek federal contracts, wait until after you make a conditional job offer.
7. Carefully Review Results
When you receive your reports, review the information carefully and assess the applicant’s qualifications, fit, and safety.
Contact them to schedule onboarding if you decide to hire.
If you have some concerns, complete the remaining steps.
8. Assess Convictions Individually
Don’t treat a conviction as an automatic disqualifier.
Instead, assess convictions individually concerning the position’s duties before you decide not to hire the applicant based on that information.
9. Go Through the Adverse Action Process
If you decide against hiring an applicant because of information you learn in a background check, complete the adverse action process:
- Send a pre-adverse action letter to the applicant. Include a copy of the report with the negative information highlighted.
- Give a reasonable time to respond (typically five business days). The applicant can provide evidence that the information is wrong or that they have been rehabilitated.
- Send a final adverse action letter if you make a final decision not to hire. Include a copy of the applicant’s FCRA rights.
Important Laws and Regulations
As an employer in Idaho, you are expected to comply with all state, local, and federal laws that apply to pre-employment background checks. Changes to the laws frequently occur when new legislation is passed or when courts issue decisions.
Federal Laws on Employment Background Checks
Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the leading consumer privacy law and protects the information that consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), including background check providers, collect, retain, and disseminate to employers and other third parties.
Under this law, CRAs can’t report the following information when it’s older than seven years for jobs with annual salaries of less than $75,000:
- Paid tax liens
- Chapter 13 bankruptcies (10 years- Chapter 7)
- Arrests that didn’t lead to convictions
- Debt collection accounts
- Civil lawsuits and judgments
The FCRA’s seven-year rule doesn’t affect the reporting of convictions older than seven years or other relevant information about an applicant’s employment, education, professional license, etc.
Employers must also comply with the FCRA when they partner with background check providers.
Before requesting a background check, you must notify applicants that your company performs them. This notice must be in writing and on a separate form.
You must also secure your candidate’s written consent before a CRA will initiate the process.
When you receive your reports, you must take specific steps if you decide not to hire an applicant because of information you learned in their background check. The FCRA requires you to complete the adverse action process before you make a final decision.
Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a major federal anti-discrimination law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on an applicant’s or employee’s national origin, sex, race, color, or religion.
Amendments to this law have added other protected statuses, including disability, pregnancy, genetic information, age, and citizenship status.
This law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which has issued enforcement guidance to employers about how to handle criminal record information appearing on background checks.
If an applicant has a criminal record, you must assess the conviction in terms of the job’s duties and workplace safety before you decide against hiring the candidate because of that information.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (FCA) is a ban-the-box law that applies to federal contractors and agencies.
If your company has federal contracts or plans to seek them, you must comply with the FCA.
Under this law, federal contractors can’t inquire about criminal history information until they have extended conditional employment offers.
If you ask about a candidate’s criminal history or perform a criminal background check earlier, federal agencies are prohibited from contracting with your company.
State Laws
Fingerprint-based Background Checks Mandated for Certain Licenses
In April 2024, the Idaho Legislature passed HB 490, which was subsequently signed into law by the governor.
This law will streamline criminal background checks and require applicants for licensure in the following professions to submit fingerprints as a part of the screening process:
- Nurses
- Wholesale drug distributors
- Physicians
- Physician assistants
- Real estate brokers
- Audiologists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs)
- Licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPCs)
- Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs)
- Real estate appraisers
- Naturopathic medical doctors
- Driving instructors
- Licensed tradespeople
Obtaining Criminal Records
Under Idaho Code § 67-3008, employers are required to obtain their applicants’ or employees’ written consent to request criminal history information from municipal, county, and state government agencies.
This law is similar to the FCRA’s notice and consent rules.
Idaho Fair Employment Practices Act
The Idaho Fair Employment Practices Act is the state’s anti-discrimination law and is enforced by the Idaho Human Rights Commission (IHRC).
This law prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants and employees based on their national origin, race, color, religion, sex, or disability.
The IHRC states that employers should consider the severity, recency, and number of convictions an applicant has before disqualifying them for employment.
It also discourages employers from inquiring about criminal history when it doesn’t relate to the job for which an applicant is being considered.
Know Before You Hire
Get a Background Check in Idaho with iprospectcheck
Completing background checks should be something that you do routinely during the hiring process. Ensuring that the results you receive comply with all relevant laws is likewise important.
At iprospectcheck, our professional staff and resources allow us to secure the important data you need.
Our staff members undergo thorough training and understand what is required when conducting comprehensive background checks and compiling reports for our clients.
Let us help you make informed hiring decisions.
Call 888-509-1979 to request a free, no-risk consultation with one of our screening specialists or fill out the form here.
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.
FAQ
How Long Does a Background Check Take in Idaho?
The length of time that getting a background check will take will depend on the method that you use. Obtaining a name-based background check from the Bureau of Criminal Identification may take some time for processing since the agency processes requests in the order that they are received.
If you try to comb through court records, the process can be very time-consuming. Finally, working with iprospectcheck can allow you to receive your results quickly.
Depending on the information that you need, reports are generally completed in 24 to 48 hours.
How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Idaho?
If you order a background check through the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification, a name-based search will cost $20.
However, this type of background check will not provide you with the various types of background information that your company might need. Through an online search, you might find disreputable vendors that promise free background checks. These types of reports may not be legally compliant and may include inaccurate information.
Conducting background checks internally by checking county court and municipal records is also not a good approach. This method requires a large number of labor hours and is not cost-effective.
Partnering with a reliable background check provider like iprospectcheck is the most affordable way to complete pre-employment background checks in Idaho. The methods that we use are cutting-edge and allow us to provide up-to-date, reliable results for our clients.
The cost of a background report will vary with the complexity of the scope of work requested. You can view our background check packages for pricing information.
How Far Back Do Background Checks Go in Idaho?
Idaho pre-employment background checks must comply with the FCRA’s rules for the length of time that adverse information can be reported for employment purposes.
The reporting restrictions of the FCRA do not apply to salaried positions that are offered at $75,000 or higher. In general, criminal history information on background checks will go back seven years.
Working with a reliable background screening company like iprospectcheck can help you to avoid relying on information that is prohibited. However, information about an applicant’s credentials, education, and employment history are not subject to the restrictions of the FCRA. This means that you can rely on these types of information regardless of their age.
County Resources
Ada County
Ada County is located in southwestern Idaho and is the state’s most populous with a population of more than 524,600. It was named after Ada Riggs, a daughter of an Idaho Territorial legislator in the 19th century. The county seat is Boise, which is also the county’s biggest city.
Available resources in Ada County include:
Adams County
Adams County is located in west-central Idaho and has a population of around 4,900. The county was named after John Adams, the second U.S. president. The county seat is Council.
Available resources in Adams County include:
Bannock County
Bannock County is located in southeastern Idaho and has a population of slightly more than 90,000. The county derives its name from the Bannock tribe. The county seat is Pocatello.
Available resources in Bannock County include:
Bear Lake County
Bear Lake County is a rural county located in southeastern Idaho and has a population of around 3,700. The county is named for Bear Lake on the state’s border with Utah. The county seat is Paris.
Available resources in Bear Lake County include:
Benewah County
Benewah County is in northern Idaho and has a population of slightly more than 10,300. The county is named for Chief Ben’wah of the Couer de Lane people. The county seat is St. Maries.
Available resources in Benewah County include:
Bingham County
Bingham County is located in eastern Idaho, with a population of more than 50,300. The county was named after General Henry H. Bingham of the American Civil War. The county seat is Blackfoot.
Available resources in Bingham County include:
Blaine County
Blaine County is located in central Idaho and has a population of approximately 25,000. The county was named for former U.S. Secretary of State James G. Blaine. The county seat is Hailey.
Available resources in Blaine County include:
Boise County
Boise County is located in southwestern Idaho and has a population of around 8,500. The county was named after the Boise River. The county seat is Idaho City.
Available resources in Boise County include:
Bonner County
Bonner County is located in northern Idaho and has a population of slightly more than 52,000. The county was named after Edward Bonner, a man who originated a ferry on the Kootenai River. The county seat is Sandpoint.
Available resources in Bonner County include:
Bonneville County
Bonneville County is located in eastern Idaho and has a population of around 131,000. The county was named after Benjamin Bonneville, a French explorer. The county seat is Idaho Falls.
Available resources in Bonneville County include:
Boundary County
Boundary County is located in northern Idaho on the state’s border with British Columbia, Canada and has a population of approximately 13,500. The county seat is Bonners Ferry.
Available resources in Boundary County include:
Butte County
Butte County is in eastern Idaho and has a population of around 2,700. The county was named for the buttes arising along the Snake River Plain. The county seat is Arco.
Available resources in Butte County include:
Camas County
Camas County is located in central Idaho and has a population of approximately 1,200. The county derives its name from Camassia, a plant indigenous people used as a food source. The county seat is Fairfield.
Available resources in Camas County include:
Canyon County
Canyon County is in southwestern Idaho and has a population of around 257,000. It is named for canyons along the Boise and Snake Rivers. The county seat is Caldwell.
Available resources in Canyon County include:
Caribou County
Caribou County is located in southeastern Idaho and has a population of approximately 7,200. The county is named after the Caribou Mountains. The county seat is Soda Springs.
Available resources in Caribou County include:
Cassia County
Cassia County is located in southern Idaho and has a population of around 25,600. It was named for Cassia Creek. The county seat is Burley.
Available resources in Cassia County include:
Clark County
Clark County is located in eastern Idaho and has a population of approximately 800. It was named for Sam Clark, an early settler. The county seat is Dubois.
Available resources in Clark County include:
Clearwater County
Clearwater County is located in north-central Idaho and has a population of around 9,200. The county was named for the Clearwater River. The county seat is Orofino.
Available resources in Clearwater County include:
Custer County
Custer County is located in central Idaho and has a population of approximately 4,500. The county was named after General George Armstrong Custer. The county seat is Challis.
Available resources in Custer County include:
Elmore County
Elmore County is located in southwestern Idaho and has a population of around 29,700. The county was named for the Ida Elmore gold and silver mines. The county seat is Mountain Home.
Available resources in Elmore County include:
Franklin County
Franklin County is in southeastern Idaho and has a population of around 15,400. The county was named for early LDS church apostle Franklin D. Richards. The county seat is Preston.
Available resources in Franklin County include:
Fremont County
Fremont County is located in eastern Idaho and has a population of around 14,100. The county was named for John C. Fremont, a man who explored the West. The county seat is St. Anthony.
Available resources in Fremont County include:
Gem County
Gem County is in southwestern Idaho and has a population of approximately 21,000. It was named after the state’s nickname. The county seat is Emmett.
Available resources in Gem County include:
Gooding County
Gooding County is located in southern Idaho and has a population of around 16,000. The county was named for Frank Gooding, the seventh governor of Idaho. The county seat is Gooding.
Available resources in Gooding County include:
Idaho County
Idaho County is in north-central Idaho and has a population of approximately 17,800. The county seat is Grangeville.
Available resources in Idaho County include:
Jefferson County
Jefferson County is located in eastern Idaho and has a population of almost 34,200. The county was named for Thomas Jefferson. The county seat is Rigby.
Available resources in Jefferson County include:
Jerome County
Jerome County is in southern Idaho and has a population of approximately 25,400. It was named for Jerome Hall, the developer of the North Side Irrigation Project. The county seat is Jerome.
Available resources in Jerome County include:
Kootenai County
Kootenai County is in northern Idaho and has a population of approximately 185,000. It was named for the Kootenai people. The county seat is Coeur d’Alene.
Available resources in Kootenai County include:
Latah County
Latah County is located in northern Idaho and has a population of slightly more than 41,300. The county was named for Latah Creek. The county seat is Moscow.
Available resources in Latah County include:
Lemhi County
Lemhi County is in eastern Idaho and has a population of approximately 8,400. It was named for a Nephite king in the Book of Mormon. The county seat is Salmon.
Available resources in Lemhi County include:
Lewis County
Lewis County is located in north-central Idaho and has a population of approximately 3,700. It was named for Meriwether Lewis. The county seat is Nezperce.
Available resources in Lewis County include:
Lincoln County
Lincoln County is located in southern Idaho and has a population of around 5,400. It was named for Abraham Lincoln. The county seat is Shoshone.
Available resources in Lincoln County include:
Madison County
Madison County is located in eastern Idaho and has a population of approximately 54,500. It was named for former U.S. President James Madison. The county seat is Rexburg.
Available resources in Madison County include:
Minidoka County
Minidoka County is located in southern Idaho and has a population of around 22,400. It was named after a Lakota word meaning fountain. The county seat is Rupert.
Available resources in Minidoka County include:
Nez Perce County
Nez Perce County is located in north-central Idaho and has a population of almost 43,000. It was named for the Nez Perce people. The county seat is Lewiston.
Available resources in Nez Perce County include:
Oneida County
Oneida County is located in southeastern Idaho and has a population of approximately 4,900. It was named for Oneida Lake in New York because many early settlers came from there. The county seat is Malad City.
Available resources in Oneida County include:
Owyhee County
Owyhee County is located in southwestern Idaho and has a population of around 12,700. It was named as an alternative spelling of Hawaii. The county seat is Murphy.
Available resources in Owyhee County include:
Payette County
Payette County is located in southwestern Idaho and has a population of approximately 27,200. It was named for Francois Payette, an early settler. The county seat is Payette.
Available resources in Payette County include:
Power County
Power County is located in southeastern Idaho and has a population of around 8,200. It was named after the American Falls Power Plant. The county seat is American Falls.
Available resources in Power County include:
Shoshone County
Shoshone County is in northern Idaho and has a population of approximately 14,000. It was named for the Shoshone people. The county seat is Wallace.
Available resources in Shoshone County include:
Teton County
Teton County is located in eastern Idaho and has a population of around 12,500. It was named after the Teton Range. The county seat is Driggs.
Available resources in Teton County include:
Twin Falls County
Twin Falls County is in southern Idaho and has a population of approximately 95,100. It was named after Twin Falls on the Snake River. The county seat is Twin Falls.
Available resources in Twin Falls County include:
Valley County
Valley County is located in west-central Idaho and has a population of around 12,600. It was named for Long Valley, a valley located in the county. The county seat is Cascade.
Available resources in Valley County include:
Washington County
Washington County is located in southwestern Idaho and has a population of approximately 10,000. It was named for George Washington. The county seat is Weiser.
Available resources in Washington County include:
