Louisiana Background Checks

Hiring qualified people starts with having access to essential information. In Louisiana, employers across industries, from oil and gas to healthcare, education, and beyond, use background checks to make more informed hiring decisions.

Applications and interviews are useful, but they don’t always tell you everything you need to know to effectively evaluate eligibility. Background checks can give you a more enhanced understanding of a candidate’s relevant history and experience, helping you assess eligibility and potentially avoid hiring an individual that doesn’t meet your standards. 

At Accurate, we can deliver Louisiana background checks designed to fit your industry, screening needs, and company policies. Whether you’re screening job applicants for the first time or performing ongoing checks for certain positions, our services can help you make more informed hiring decisions. 

While background checks are common in the pre-employment phase, they’re just as useful at other times, such as when evaluating an individual for a promotion or role change, or conducting an audit. Some sectors, like transportation, banking, childcare, and healthcare, may require specific background checks due to the sensitive nature of the work or the population the role may work with 

Even if it’s not required in your industry, screening candidates can help safeguard your business from potential risks associated with hiring an individual who does not meet your requirements, and help you determine whether your new hires meet your standards for safety, integrity, and work skills. 

Our Louisiana background checks are designed to meet the needs of your industry and company. From a search of criminal history to in-depth details about employment history, Accurate can provide you with an easy-to-read background check report to help you make more effective hiring decisions.

Here are some common elements that may be included in a Louisiana background check: 

Employers are encouraged to research applicable laws and regulations before ordering a background check, as there could potentially be restrictions on when an employer can order a background check, and how background check results should be used in hiring decisions. 

To help clients stay informed, Accurate provides clients with educational resources and updates on changing laws and regulations that may affect background screening. Employers remain responsible for evaluating these requirements and maintaining their background screening programs in compliance with applicable requirements and obligations. Important Louisiana considerations include, but are not limited to: 

Fair Chance Hiring: In Louisiana, employers should not request or consider an arrest record or charge that did not result in a conviction. Considerations when evaluating other criminal history information may include an individualized assessment of relevant factors, such as whether a conviction has a direct and adverse relationship to the specific duties of the position. 

View Louisiana ban the box laws

Marijuana and Employment: While recreational marijuana remains illegal in Louisiana, the state permits regulated medical use. Although state law does not establish specific employment-related provisions, employers may want to consider evolving legal requirements and guidance regarding drug testing and the use of results in employment decisions.  

View Louisiana marijuana laws

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Louisiana businesses must comply with the FCRA when using consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) like Accurate. This generally includes obtaining written consent before requesting a background check report, providing a clear, standalone written disclosure, and following required pre-adverse action and final action procedures before taking an employment action based in whole, or in part, on information reported in a background check.  

In addition to being aware of potentially relevant background check requirements, we also recommend employers follow these best practices: 

Create a Clear Policy: Define when background checks will be conducted, what types of screenings are done, and how results are used. Confirm your policy aligns with both state and federal requirements. 

Train Your Team: HR and hiring managers should understand applicable background screening rules and restrictions, data privacy requirements, and how to properly assess background check results . 

Evaluate on a Case-by-Case Basis: Avoid blanket disqualification policies for criminal history. Instead, consider the job-relatedness of the offense, the time that has passed, and any rehabilitation efforts, among other factors. 

Work with a Screening Partner: Using an accredited background check provider can often deliver more timely and accurate results, streamlined processes, and ongoing screening education. 

From Baton Rouge to Shreveport and every parish in between, Accurate can help Louisiana employers make more informed hiring decisions. Our background check solutions are designed to deliver accurate information quickly, so you can move forward with the hiring decisions that matter most. 

Contact us today to conduct Louisiana background checks with Accurate.  

This overview is not an exhaustive list of employer laws and is meant to provide employers with common laws employers should consider in Louisiana.  

The commentary above is not offered as legal advice but is instead offered for informational purposes. Accurate Background is not a law firm and does not offer legal advice. The above commentary is therefore not intended as a substitute for the legal advice of an attorney knowledgeable of the user’s individual circumstances or to provide legal advice. Accurate Background makes no assurances regarding the accuracy, completeness, currency, or utility of the preceding information.