What is the difference between level 1 and level 2 background check?

Answer 1

Level 1 or Level 2 is sometimes used by local government or state agencies when describing the type of background checks needed for a position. The requirement for each level varies from state to state, and position to position, so it's best to get clarification from the employer or the official agency regulating that job position in order to determine what specific searches the agency or company is requiring for the background check.

The most common "searches" included in packaged (levels) background checks include: criminal check, credit report, employment verification, education verification, driving record, drug testing, workers compensation report, name/address verifcation, professional license verification, & sex offender search.

Depending on the state and jurisdiction, criminal checks can be performed either by using a private on-line database, government maintained on-line database, searching for records at the county courthouse, or having the search performed by the state police (with our without fingerprinting).

Some employers and positions may allow "database searching", others may require official or "on-site" searching at local government offices. Other variables to consider are how many years back to search, what states or counties to search, and what names to search (ie. married name, maiden name, etc...).

There are a variety of searches and methods that can be included in any background check. It's important to get detailed explanations on what's included or required in each "level", so a background check company or HR manager can meet the standardized requirements for that position.