Alaska Background Check: Official Guide For 2024
It's crucial to do your due diligence and a background check before hiring someone. This is particularly true if you are recruiting for a job that necessitates a high level of trust. You can use an Alaska background check to ensure the individual you're employing is who they say they are and that their history is clear of any issues.
Using an internet service like The Koleman Group LLC is one of the finest ways to conduct an Alaska background check. The Koleman Group LLC will look for information about the candidate you're interested in employing in public records. This encompasses information such as arrest records, court records, and bankruptcies.
You should be informed and up-to-date of Alaska laws addition to conducting a background check in Alaska. You cannot, for instance, discriminate against someone based on their criminal history. This implies that a background check cannot be used to disqualify a candidate for employment immediately. Instead, it would be best if you thought about how serious the offense was and how long ago it occurred anywhere in Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, can have a background check performed.
What does an Alaska background check include?
A background check in Alaska includes looking up a person's driving history, sex offender registration, and an Alaska criminal history search. The check can also include a look at the credit history of the subject.
State Criminal History Search
Regarding criminal background checks, Alaska is one of the most distinctive states in the nation. Like most other states, Alaska does maintain a centralized repository for criminal records. This implies that you'll need to look through various sources to run a criminal background check in Alaska.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the best place to begin. Most records presently housed in the state are listed in a database kept by the DPS. This database can be searched using a person's name, birth date, or other identifying details.
How Much Does It Cost to Conduct An Alaska Background Check?
If you're an employer in Alaska, you might be curious about the price of a background check. The price of a background check is generally affordable for companies.
The price will change depending on the sort of background check you purchase. For example, an investigation into a criminal past is the most typical kind of background check. Typically, this check will run you between $10 and $50.
You might request a credit check if you require a more thorough investigation. Typically, credit checks cost between $30 and $60.
Alaska Background Check Laws: Official Guide For 2024
Alaska background check laws are extremely clear regarding what employers can and cannot question about your criminal history. These rules are in place to uphold the rights of people with criminal histories and to prevent biased hiring practices against them.
Federal Laws on Employment Background Checks in Alaska
Employers in Alaska are required to follow the Fair Credit Reporting act and Title VII of the Civil rights act of 1964 when conducting background checks on applicants and current employees.
Federal Credit Reporting ACT (FCRA)
The FCRA was introduced in 1970. This act was created to protect to privacy of consumer information collect by CRA’s and employers. There are many rules and regulations under the FCRA that allows what information can be gathered by CRAs and employers on employment background checks.
Since the FCRA is a federal and law and not a state law, all states and territories including Alaska, must follow FCRA laws. Some of these rules includes:
- Employers may not report information gathered from CRAs about arrest that didn’t result in convictions that are 7 years old as a reason to deny employment.
- Employers may not report information gathered from CRAs about credit reports, and collections that are 7 years old as a reason to deny employment.
These restrictions apply to positions that cap at $75,000. If the position pays $75,000 or more, the information can be reported. In that case criminal background checks can be reported regardless of age. Also the 7 year criminal history restriction may have exceptions, due to industry. Working with vulnerable people may require a criminal history search past 7 years.
All employers in Alaska must notify applicants in advance before conducting a pre-employment background check. Employers will need the written consent of every applicant to conduct a background check. Failure to do so by the employer can result in penalties, that can include lawsuits, and fines. Adverse information on an Alaska background check requires the employer to follow the FCRA’s adverse action steps before the employers can make a decision against hiring a potential employee.
Civil Rights Act Title Vll
In 1964 the civil rights act was passed to prohibit discrimination. Employers cannot discriminate against applicants and employees based on their race. Title Vll is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
If the applicant has a criminal history in Alaska, the employer is required to assess the conviction in relation to the job on an individual basis.
Background Check Anchorage Alaska
It's crucial to research the organization you are applying to when looking for a new job. This is especially true if you are moving to a new state or city. You want to confirm that the business is reliable and that working there will be easy.
There are numerous approaches to researching a business. First, you can check out the Better Business Bureau's webpage online. You may find out about any complaints that have been made against the business on this page. You can also contact the Attorney General's office in your state to see if the company has had any complaints.
By getting in touch with the human resources division of the business you are interested in, you can also do a background investigation. They should be able to provide you with a list of references you can call. For example, past corporate clientele or workers may be cited as references.
You can also conduct a background investigation by contacting the neighborhood Chamber of Commerce. They can provide you with a list of local companies that are chamber of commerce members. This will help you get a sense of the neighborhood's businesses and their reputation.
Alaska Criminal Records Search
When conducting background checks on job applicants, businesses frequently use a criminal records search to look out for any potential criminal convictions. Employers may also look into their criminal histories when deciding whether to offer current employees a promotion or a transfer.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for maintaining criminal records. The DPS keeps track of felony and misdemeanor convictions from all Alaska borough and census area courts and in its criminal records database.
Interested parties can immediately contact the Division of Criminal Justice to do an Alaska criminal records search. The Division of Criminal Justice charges a fee for this service and requests that a completed fingerprint card be submitted. A law enforcement officer or fingerprint vendor must sign the fingerprint card. A FD-248 FBI fingerprint card can be used when conducting a fingerprint background check in Alaska.
The Division of Criminal Justice will check their criminal records after receiving the completed fingerprint card and money. The Division of Criminal Justice will deliver a report that details the conviction details if the applicant has any criminal convictions.
A criminal records search can also be requested from the Alaska Court System by interested parties. All courts in the state, including district courts, superior courts, and magistrate courts, have their criminal histories kept up to date by the Alaska Court System.
Interested parties can submit a completed Obtain for Criminal History Record Information form to the Alaska Court System to request a criminal records search. The completed form must be mailed or delivered in person to use this service, which has a cost.
The Alaska Court System will check their criminal records once they have received the completed form and payment. The Court System will deliver a report with the conviction details if the applicant has any criminal convictions.
Alaska Background Check For Employment
Employers in Alaska are permitted by law to request and carry out background checks when recruiting new workers. Both commercial and public employers may attest to this. However, neither does the legislation clarify what kinds of data can be included in a background check nor requires that employers perform them.
In principle, if the information is not protected by state or federal law and is reasonably considered pertinent to a job, an employer may ask for and use it. An employer might, for instance, inquire about and make use of an applicant's criminal background, credit history, and job history. In addition, information from social networking websites like Facebook and X may also be requested from and used by an employer.
However, the information that an employer can seek and use in a background check is subject to certain significant restrictions. First, no non-job-related information may be requested by or used by an employer. For instance, unless the employer has a legitimate business need for the information and the information is logically assumed to be work-related, it is prohibited for employers to ask for or utilize an applicant's social security number, driver's license number, or date of birth.
Second, a state or federal statute that protects information may not be requested from or used by an employer. For instance, during a background check, an employer is not permitted to inquire about or consider an applicant's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability.
Third, fraudulent or deceptive information may not be requested from or used by an employer. For instance, if a candidate has been convicted of a crime that has been sealed or erased, the employer is not permitted to ask for or use the candidate's criminal history.
Finally, an employer is not permitted to ask for or use illegal information. For instance, during a background check, an employer is not permitted to inquire about or use an applicant's immigration status.
The applicant may have a case against the employer in the event that any of these restrictions are broken by the employer.
Background Checks For Licensing Purposes in Alaska
Alaska agencies and employers may conduct background checks on potential applicants and employers. By checking local, state, and board laws an applicant will need an Alaska fingerprint based background check. The cost for a fingerprint background check is $35. The Criminal Records & Identification Bureau can only check the state of Alaska records. An example for an industry that would require fingerprinting would be nursing home employee also known as an “interested person”.
Alaska Name Based Criminal History Search
Another option for employers, and agencies looking to conduct background checks on potential employees are Alaska name based criminal history searches. The employer would need to get the applicant’s consent for the name based search and fill out the state of Alaska DPS request for criminal justice form information form and mail it to the Alaska DPS. The results will then be mailed back to the requestor.
Interested Person Background Check
All agencies that employ applicants who work around children and vulnerable adults will need to complete the name based criminal history form they may also require more screening like fingerprints that need to be sent off to the state of Alaska and/or to the FBI. Employers can look up the requirements for background checks for their industry with the local, state, and federal laws.
Fingerprinting In Alaska For Employment
Anyone looking to have their fingerprints done in Alaska for employment, can go to a local police department or local business that conducts fingerprints. An applicant will need:
- Some form of id(state id, drivers license, etc..).
- 2 fingerprint cards(most widely use FD-248 card).
- Return address to send the fingerprints to.
Applicant’s may also require an Originating Agency Identifying number, (ORI) number to put on the fingerprint print card. The ORI is a nine-character that agencies use to process the fingerprints. Eg AK123456Z.
The FD-258 Fingerprint cards require black ink and most agencies and employers will have strict instructions on how to fill out the fingerprint form.
Fingerprints that are rejected will have to be resubmitted. Fingerprints can be rejected for many reasons including:
- Card filled out incorrectly
- Smudges on card
- Poorly taken fingerprints
- Wrong fingerprint card
Note: that some fingerprints may only be conducted by certain vendors, for eg, the Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit program may only accept fingerprints from a few vendors and fingerprints collected from other non certified fingerprint vendors may be rejected.
Alaska Arrest Records
Alaska arrest records, in essence, are official documents outlining any arrests made by law enforcement in the state on an individual. They encompass many incidents, from minor legal disputes to serious felonies. Contrary to common misconception, an arrest record doesn't necessarily denote criminal charges or convictions; it merely records an incident of arrest.
Such records provide detailed accounts, including the individual's name, the date of the arrest, the arresting agency, and often the alleged crime for which the arrest was made. It's important to remember that an arrest record is not a criminal record. It's a puzzle piece but does not automatically equate to guilt.
A pivotal feature of Alaska's arrest records is their public accessibility. The Alaska Public Records Act makes most arrest records accessible to the general public. This means anyone can request to see these records, providing a sense of transparency. However, there are exceptions, particularly concerning sensitive information.
Access to arrest records is usually granted through the Department of Public Safety's Criminal Records and Identification (R&I) Bureau. This ease of access is a double-edged sword. While it promotes openness, concerns about potential misuse and privacy infringements exist.
Arrest records play an essential role in various aspects of societal functioning. They are crucial for law enforcement agencies, helping them track an individual's interactions with the legal system. Employers often utilize these records during background checks to ensure they make informed hiring decisions.
Similarly, arrest records are a valuable tool for private investigators and journalists. They help paint a clearer picture of an individual's past, aiding in investigations or news reporting.
However, just as the biting cold of Alaska can be harsh, so too can the ramifications of arrest records. Detractors argue that publicizing arrest records may lead to stigmatization and present barriers to employment and housing for those involved.
The controversy revolves around the idea that arrest records, in their raw form, do not always represent an individual's character fairly. Critics point out the necessity to carefully interpret and use these records to avoid causing unnecessary harm or prejudice.
Alaska Drug Testing
Alaska drug testing refers to checking for illicit substances in a person's system, often in employment, sports, or criminal proceedings. The methods commonly used for these tests include urine analysis, blood tests, or hair follicle tests.
Why is drug testing important? From an employer's perspective, drug testing is a tool to ensure a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. It can identify employees struggling with substance abuse, allowing intervention and support where needed. Drug tests ensure fair competition and athletes' health and safety in sports. In the legal context, drug tests can be pivotal in DUI cases, probation, and more proceedings.
However, Alaska drug testing has its share of controversies. Critics argue that it infringes on individuals' privacy rights and, without proper cause or suspicion, can be seen as intrusive. There are also concerns about the accuracy of drug tests and the impact of false positives on individuals' lives.
List of Boroughs and Census Areas in Alaska
Ketchikan Gateway Peninsula Borough
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Use The Koleman Group LLC As Your Background Check Company Today!
With our services you can conduct a background check today. Call 618-398-3900, or email us today @ info@thekolemangroupscreen.com for a free consultation.
Note: This information is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult with your own legal counsel for advice related to your state/locality. All background checks follow local, state, and, federal FCRA Laws.
