NC Background Check: What’s Included

Brandon Way - May 22, 2025

A background check is a process that we must all go through at some point in our lives as these checks are a common requirement for the job application process. These checks are used to confirm identity, ensure that a person is qualified for a job, and observe other parts of someone’s personal history. 

If a background check has been requested of you in the state of North Carolina, you are likely wondering what is included and what it might take to pass this check. Our article gives you an overview of an NC background check and what to expect.

What Is an NC Background Check?

A background check is a check into your personal history that looks at important things such as your criminal history, civil court history, and educational history. This report may also show things like your employment history, address history, and professional certifications or licenses. 

Generally, background checks look at your history from a certain period of time or location; with a North Carolina state background check, your recent history within the state of North Carolina, including background information from different counties, is included on the final report.

A North Carolina background check will not have details about federal history or history that occurred outside of the state, with the exception of listing your address history and basic details about employers that may be out of state as well as any major federal crimes.

Why Are Background Checks Important?

Background checks are important because they are a way for companies and employers to perform their due diligence before hiring new candidates. With a background check, an employer can ensure that the person they are about to hire is safe for the workplace, qualified to perform the job they are hired for, and honest about their identity. Background checks can also be used to confirm someone’s suitability for security clearances and their ability to perform certain roles around the community.

Who Needs to Submit a Background Check?

Most of the time, you will be informed if you need to submit a background check as part of an application process or onboarding process for a job. North Carolina state law governs how the background check process is carried out, and anyone requesting that you submit a background check in the state must obtain your consent and inform you of exactly what they are looking for on your report.

Keep in mind that there are certain career fields that are more likely to request individuals submit a background check than others. For example, careers in healthcare, those that work with children, or those that work with heavy machinery are much more likely to request that every candidate completes a background check before hiring.

NC Background Check: What Is Included?

Several different things may be included on your North Carolina background check report. The most notable thing that people will be looking for in your report is your criminal history. This may include arrests that led to convictions, criminal sentencing details, and a complete detailed history of any criminal activities you have been accused of. Criminal history reports will also detail whether or not you have a registered sex offender status.

Additionally, your North Carolina background check will include civil court history. This may include things like evictions and lawsuits you have been involved in. Other basic personal details will also be included, and you can expect to see your address history, employment history, and educational history on your North Carolina background check report.

Can I Hide Things On My NC Background Check?

It is not generally possible to hide things from your North Carolina background check report. All of the information that is listed on your background check in the state is taken from the public record. This means that most members of the public can access this information as a matter of safety and transparency.

In some cases, you may be able to obtain a protective order to hide certain things about your history, such as your address and employment history, if you can prove that you are in danger from this information being disclosed to others.

There’s also a chance you may be able to remove certain criminal convictions from your North Carolina background check depending on the type of crime and your eligibility for either sealing or expunging parts of your criminal record. You will need to speak to a lawyer to learn more about dealing with the disclosure of criminal activity on your North Carolina background check.

How Do I Fail an NC Background Check?

Failing a North Carolina background check depends on what an employer or other individual is looking for on this report. For example, if you are applying for a job driving vehicles and you have a history of DUIs, you will likely fail your North Carolina background check and not be offered a job. However, if you are applying for a job somewhere in the service industry and the background check is conducted, a history of DUIs may not automatically disqualify you from being hired.

It’s important that you speak to the company or person requesting your background check report so you understand what may be a red flag in your personal history or what may cause you to fail your background check. Most of the time, if you are denied an opportunity based on your background check report, the person must disclose what exactly on your report caused the denial.

Where Do I Find a Copy of My Background Check Report?

If you are interested in finding a copy of your background check report, you can go through the North Carolina Judicial Branch to request a copy. You can request a copy either by mail or in person, and you will need to pay a $25 fee for this report. 

Alternatively, you can conduct a quick search online using a people search tool. This online tool is a convenient way to quickly get a report that is compiled from public record details. You can review the report to make sure that everything is accurate and properly prepare yourself for what an employer or other individual requesting your background check report might see.

Can I Make Adjustments to My Background Check?

If there is something incorrect on your report or if your history is not accurately reflected, you may be able to make adjustments to your background check. The best way to do this is to contact the reporting agency directly and request an adjustment to your report. You will likely need to provide documentation that supports your request for adjustment and it may take several days to a few weeks for these changes to go through.

How Long Will My NC Background Check Take?

Waiting for your North Carolina background check report to be completed is often the most nerve-wracking part of the process. After all, the results of your background check report might determine whether or not you get a job or can access another opportunity. In general, if there are no issues with processing your background check report, you can expect your background check to be completed within a few days, up to seven business days.

If there are discrepancies in your report or if the processing agency runs into an error gathering your information, it could take up to two weeks for your North Carolina background check to be completed. Speak to the employer or other person requesting your background check if you have concerns about how long this process is taking.

Staying Aware of Your NC Background Check

Keeping tabs on your own background check report in North Carolina is a great way to stay informed of your personal history and to understand what an employer might see when they request this report. Background checks are an important part of the hiring process and other qualification screenings, and it’s likely that you will have to submit a background check at some point during your residency in North Carolina. 

We recommend running reports on yourself routinely to ensure that everything is up to date and accurate the next time an official North Carolina background check report is requested of you.