Background checks typically look back about seven years, but this timeframe can vary depending on the type of check, federal and state laws, and the industry involved.

• Criminal background checks: Often cover seven years for non-conviction information such as arrests or civil judgments, but criminal convictions may be reported indefinitely depending on the state and federal regulations

. Some states allow unlimited reporting of convictions, especially for sensitive positions like education or finance

• Credit history checks: Usually go back seven years, with bankruptcies reported up to ten years

• Driving records: Can go back between three to ten years depending on the state

• Employment and education verification: May cover the candidate’s entire lifetime but are often limited to a certain number of years or employers/institutions

• Fingerprint background checks: Can reveal criminal records from the entire lifetime unless restricted by state law

Federal laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) generally limit reporting of certain information to seven years to protect candidates from being penalized for older records, but exceptions exist based on salary level, job type, and specific state laws

. In summary, while seven years is the common baseline for many background checks, some checks-especially criminal convictions-can go back indefinitely or longer depending on legal and regulatory factors. Employers must also comply with state and local laws that may further restrict or extend these lookback periods