Criminal records & background checks
How Far Back Do Background Checks Go?
Last updated June 16, 2026
Most background checks go back 7 years — but that limit has big exceptions: convictions can report indefinitely, high-salary jobs lift the cap, and states set their own rules.
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- The common answer is 7 years — but it is not a universal rule.
- The federal FCRA 7-year limit applies mainly to non-convictions (arrests, dismissals) reported by screening companies.
- Convictions can often be reported indefinitely, with no 7-year cutoff.
- Many higher-salary jobs (often $75,000+) lift the FCRA 7-year cap entirely.
- Your state's law can be stricter or looser than the federal default.
The 7-year rule and its exceptions
The 'seven years' figure comes from the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which limits how long consumer-reporting agencies can report certain negative items — like arrests that didn't lead to conviction. But the FCRA carves out convictions, which can be reported with no time limit, and it lifts the 7-year cap for jobs above a salary threshold (commonly $75,000). So 'how far back' depends heavily on what is being reported and for what job.
State law changes the answer
Several states impose their own stricter limits (capping even some convictions at 7 years), while others follow the federal default. A few states restrict reporting of arrests, salary-history, or older non-convictions more tightly than the FCRA. The check you get in one state can return different results than the same search in another.
What you can do
Pull your own background report first so you know what's actually there and can dispute errors. If an old conviction is hurting you, expungement or sealing (where your state allows it) removes it from most standard checks. An expungement attorney can tell you whether you qualify — verify their standing for free before hiring.
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Source: official state bar registration rosters.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 7-year limit apply to convictions?
Often not. The FCRA's 7-year reporting limit primarily covers non-convictions; convictions can usually be reported indefinitely unless your state law says otherwise.
Can a background check go back further than 7 years?
Yes — for convictions, for jobs above the FCRA salary threshold, and in states without a stricter cap. Many checks reach back 10 years or report convictions with no limit.
Will an expunged record still show up?
Generally no on standard checks. A properly expunged or sealed record is removed from the databases most screeners use, though deeper government checks can sometimes still see sealed items.
Related guides
- What Shows Up on a Criminal Background Check?
- Do Warrants Show Up on Background Checks?
- Criminal Record Expungement: Costs, Timelines & How to Check
Numbers on this page are computed from official rosters — see our data sources & methodology. This guide is part of the criminal records & expungement series.
This site republishes official public records and is not legal advice, a lawyer referral service, or a consumer reporting agency. Information here may not be used to make decisions about employment, tenancy, or credit (FCRA). Records are shown as published by their official sources and may contain errors or be out of date; consult the linked official source to verify. To correct or dispute a record, contact the licensing authority of record.