What shows up on a Checkr background check?
US rules as of 30 Oct 2026 for what shows up on a Checkr background check. Checkr's products change; confirm against Checkr's own pages.
What appears on a Checkr report depends on the package the employer chose. A typical US package can include a Social Security number trace, criminal record searches, and sometimes employment, education or driving history. The employer sees each part as Clear or Consider, and you can request your own copy.
Disclosure. Checkr is a US background check company and LiveRec's partner for employer-ordered checks. This article describes what candidates can generally expect, and where Checkr's own pages say otherwise, Checkr's pages win.
Who chooses what is checked?
You do not. The employer selects the screening package for the role. The disclosure form you sign should describe the kinds of information to be gathered. If something in the form is not clear, ask the employer for the list of parts included before you sign.
Typical parts of a report
| Part | What it looks at | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSN trace | Names and addresses linked to your Social Security number | Used to decide where to search for records; not a verdict |
| National criminal database search | Aggregated records from many sources | Can be incomplete or out of date, so employers often confirm at county level |
| County or state criminal search | Court records in places you have lived | Slower; depends on the court |
| Sex offender registry | Public registry search | |
| Employment verification | Dates and titles with past employers | Depends on employers responding |
| Education verification | Degrees and dates | |
| Motor vehicle record | Licence status and violations | Usually for driving roles |
| Drug screening | Lab test | Separate from the records report |
What Clear and Consider mean
Clear means nothing was found that needs review for that part. Consider means a person at the employer should look at the result; it does not mean you failed. LiveRec employers see these labels per part, and a Consider is not by itself a reason to reject. See the FCRA process the employer must follow if they decide against you.
What does not show up
- Anything the employer did not order.
- Your credit score, unless a credit check was specifically ordered and the state allows it.
- Information the law keeps off reports, such as many sealed or expunged records, depending on state. Records can still show up in error, which is why checking your copy matters.
How do you see your own report?
- Use the link in the Checkr email, which is the same place you gave consent. If your check is run by another provider, follow that provider's email instead.
- Ask Checkr for a copy of your report. After an adverse action the law gives you the right to a free copy within a set period: a request made within 60 days of the adverse action notice (15 U.S.C. 1681m(a)(4), referring to 1681j(b); checked 2026-10-30).
- Read the identity details first. Many errors are the wrong person.
How do you dispute an error?
Tell Checkr what is wrong and why, ideally in writing with proof such as a court disposition. The reporting company must investigate. Tell the employer at the same time, because a pending dispute may change their decision. The full process is described in how a background check affects a job offer.
Is this check connected to your LiveRec profile?
Identity verification on LiveRec and an employer-ordered background check are separate. LiveRec does not run a check when you apply. Checks happen when an employer orders one and you consent. LiveRec stores the result and date of identity verification, not your ID images (who can see your documents). For company verification, we use a separate registry check, not Checkr. See is a background check request legitimate.
Reading a report line by line: a worked example
This sample is invented to illustrate the layout; it is not a real report.
| Part | Result | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| SSN trace | Clear, two prior addresses found | Confirm both are yours; add any you forgot to the form |
| National criminal search | Consider, one record, name matches but date of birth differs | Likely wrong person. Tell the employer and dispute with proof of your date of birth |
| County search | Clear | None |
| Employment verification | Clear, title matches | None |
| Education | Pending | Check that your school can confirm the degree and the name used then |
The key habit: for every Consider, match the identifiers (full name, date of birth, location, case number) with your own details before you assume the record is yours. A mismatch on date of birth or middle name is the first sign of a mix-up.
Frequently asked questions
Will an old arrest appear? Possibly. Federal law limits reporting of non-conviction records after seven years, with an exception for higher-paid jobs, and states differ. (15 U.S.C. 1681c; the exception applies to jobs with an annual salary of $75,000 or more; checked 2026-10-30) Check your copy.
Does a misdemeanor from long ago show up? Convictions can generally be reported with no federal time limit, but some states cap the lookback. The employer must also weigh relevance to the job under EEOC guidance.
Does Checkr decide whether I get the job? No. Checkr reports; the employer decides.
Can I do a check on myself first? You can request your own file from consumer reporting agencies; the CFPB summary of FCRA rights (https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/bcfp_consumer-rights-summary_2018-09.pdf, checked 2026-10-30) says everyone can get one free file disclosure every 12 months from each nationwide credit bureau.
Is a Checkr email real? Be careful. Open Checkr from a fresh browser tab, not a message link, and confirm with the employer that they ordered a check.
Next step
Before you sign, ask the employer which parts are being run. After you finish, request your own copy.
Sources
- Checkr, candidate help and screening package descriptions: https://help.checkr.com/hc/en-us (accessed 30 Oct 2026)
- FTC, Background Checks: What Employers Need to Know: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/background-checks-what-employers-need-know
- CFPB, consumer reporting resources: https://www.consumerfinance.gov
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.