Criminal Background Check Processing Time Statistics

In the following blog post, we will explore key statistics related to the processing time and impact of criminal background checks in the United States. From the prevalence of such checks among employers to the average processing times and outcomes, these data points shed light on an important aspect of the job application process.

Statistic 1

"Approximately 93% of U.S. employers perform criminal background checks on some job candidates."

Statistic 2

"The average time it takes for a background check to complete is between 24 to 72 hours."

Statistic 3

"Around 40% of background checks return at least one discrepancy."

Statistic 4

"Up to 8% of background checks take longer than a week due to courthouse record delays."

Statistic 5

"Approximately 68 million people in the United States have criminal records."

Statistic 6

"A University of South Carolina study found that the average time it took to process background checks was 1-2 days for online databases and 7-10 days for on-site courthouse records."

Statistic 7

"According to a study by the National Background Investigations Bureau, the average time it took to process a background check in 2019 was 40 days."

Statistic 8

"About 35% of employers re-scan their current employees within 1-5 years of their hire date."

Statistic 9

"Around 4.2% of private sector background checks in 2015 resulted in a denial of employment due to criminal history."

Statistic 10

"A national survey of employers found that 79% said they had hired a job applicant with a criminal record."

Statistic 11

"In cases where criminal record information prevented a job applicant from being hired, 66% of employers said that the conviction was related to the job in question."

Statistic 12

"The average cost of a criminal background check ranges from $20 to $60 per report."

Statistic 13

"In a survey of employers, 63% said they conducted background checks after a conditional job offer was made."

Statistic 14

"FBI background checks for federal employment have decreased by 20% from 2010 to 2014, likely due to technology improvements and reduced federal hiring."

In summary, the statistics reveal that a vast majority of U.S. employers conduct criminal background checks on job candidates, with an average processing time ranging from 24 to 72 hours. Approximately 40% of these checks uncover discrepancies, and up to 8% experience delays exceeding a week due to courthouse records. Despite the large number of people in the U.S. with criminal records, a significant percentage of employers still hire individuals with such backgrounds, especially if the conviction is not directly related to the job role. The varying processing times and costs associated with background checks highlight the importance of thorough screening processes in the hiring practices of organizations.