State Background Check – Kentucky
In addition to other indispensable parts of the background screening process, a state background check gathers all available records of an applicant’s criminal history—even if they’ve lived in several jurisdictions within a state.
Please visit our Services & Pricing page to view available products, pricing, and turnaround times.
Background Checks
NCS makes navigating Kentucky background checks easier! Whether you work in manufacturing, agriculture, coal mining, logistics, or another industry, background checks are a critical part of the hiring process.
Accessing Criminal Records
In Kentucky, private and public employers may legally review an applicant’s criminal history as part of the pre-employment background screening process. NCS reports convictions and serious pending cases related to your applicant.
Employers cannot:
- Use expunged arrest records
- Consider charges that were dropped, dismissed, or didn’t lead to conviction
- Access sealed records
- Require disclosure of expunged charges
Applicants must be informed that they are not obligated to disclose expunged offenses.
Expungement in Kentucky
Kentucky allows expungement of misdemeanors and Class D felony convictions. Eligible individuals may petition for expungement five years after completing their sentence.
Note: Louisville and the state of Kentucky have limited ban-the-box laws, so employers should stay informed of local compliance requirements.
Criminal History Packages
Choose from featured packages or bundle the National Quick Check + Kentucky State Search, and add optional services to meet your needs.
Recommended Packages
- Essential
- Enhanced
- Expanded
- National Quick Check + Kentucky State Search
- Motor Vehicle Reports
- Employment Credit Reports
- Education Verification
- Employment Verification
- And much more…
Explore Volunteer Screening and Tenant Screening as well.
Continuous Monitoring
Continuous Monitoring notifies employers of:
- New arrests
- Pending cases
- Convictions
When using this data in hiring, follow EEOC and FCRA/Title VII guidance. Disqualifications must be job-relevant and properly documented.
What May Be Reported on a Record
- Charge
- Charge degree (misdemeanor or felony)
- Charge date
- Filing date
- Disposition
- Disposition date
- County of offense
- Sentence
How Far Back Do Records Go?
National Crime Search reports all convictions within the past 7 years.
Drug Screening
Employees can schedule drug tests at a convenient time and location. DOT and random testing services are also offered.
Electronic Form I-9 & E-Verify Management
Ensure compliance with our user-friendly platform for storing I-9s and returning E-Verify results instantly.
Ban the Box Policies – Kentucky
Kentucky has statewide and local Ban the Box provisions:
- State executive agencies may not inquire about criminal history on job applications. They must wait until after an interview invite.
- Louisville also enforces a local ordinance restricting early criminal history inquiries.
Counties may vary in their enforcement, so public employers should stay informed of jurisdiction-specific rules.
Navigate State Background Checks and Compliance with NCS
Enjoy a fast, compliant, and insightful hiring process with National Crime Search’s comprehensive Criminal Background Checks.
