Background Check Report Types: A Guide for HR Teams

"Background check" isn't one single product, it's a category covering more than a dozen distinct report types, each pulling different records for a different purpose. Ordering the wrong mix is a common, avoidable mistake: too few checks and you miss something that matters for the role; too many and you slow down hiring and pay for reports that don't apply. Here's what each of the most common report types actually covers.

Identity and eligibility

• Identity Verification — confirms a candidate is who they claim to be, using ID documents, biometrics, or database checks.
• E-Verify / Employment Eligibility — confirms a candidate's legal eligibility to work in the United States against federal government databases.

Criminal and driving history

• Criminal Background Check — searches county, state, and federal court records for criminal history tied to a candidate's identity.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) — pulls a candidate's driving history from state DMV records, used for roles that involve operating a vehicle.

Verifying history and qualifications

• Employment Verification — confirms a candidate's past job titles, dates of employment, and sometimes reason for leaving with former employers.
• Education Verification — confirms degrees, certifications, and dates of attendance directly with schools and institutions.
• Professional License Verification — confirms a candidate holds an active, valid license or certification required for regulated professions.
• Reference Check — contacts a candidate's provided references to verify work history and gather feedback on past performance.

Financial and regulated-industry checks

• Credit Report — reviews a candidate's credit history, typically for roles with financial responsibility or access to funds.
• Healthcare Sanctions Screening — checks federal and state exclusion lists (e.g. OIG, SAM) to confirm a candidate isn't barred from healthcare-related work.

Other common report types

• Drug Screening — lab-based or instant testing for controlled substances, often required for safety-sensitive or regulated roles.
• International Background Check — criminal, employment, or education checks conducted outside the United States for candidates with international history.
• Social Media Screening — reviews publicly available social media activity for content relevant to a hiring decision, within legal and compliance limits.
• Landlord / Rental History Check — confirms a candidate's past rental history and payment record with previous landlords, typically for housing-adjacent roles.

Choosing the right mix

The right combination depends on the role, not a one-size-fits-all package: a warehouse role hiring for a driving position needs an MVR that an office role doesn't; a healthcare role needs sanctions screening that most other industries never touch. All Screeners' directory lets you filter providers by exactly which report types they offer, so you can find a provider that covers the specific mix your roles actually need.