Understanding the Statewide Criminal Search
When running a pre-employment background check, many HR managers and small business owners ask about statewide criminal searches. At its core, a statewide criminal background check pulls records from databases maintained at the state level rather than just individual county courts.
This can be a powerful tool because it has the potential to cover multiple counties at once—helping employers gain a broader view of a candidate’s criminal history. However, like cell phone carriers with gaps in their coverage, not every statewide search is comprehensive. Some provide excellent coverage, while others may miss records that are only available at the county level.
Why Statewide Searches Vary in Quality
Not all statewide criminal background checks are created equal.
- A few states maintain robust, centralized systems that provide accurate, up-to-date records. In these cases, a statewide search can sometimes even outperform individual county searches.
- On the other hand, many states have incomplete, outdated, or no centralized system at all. If certain counties don’t report regularly, major gaps may exist.
This is why relying solely on statewide searches can lead to blind spots in your hiring process.
When to Use a Statewide Search
Statewide searches work best when used strategically:
- As a supplement to county searches. County-level checks remain the gold standard because criminal records originate there.
- For broader screening in states with strong databases. Certain states maintain excellent statewide repositories, and these can provide efficiencies in time and cost.
- When you want coverage beyond a candidate’s known counties. Since people move, a statewide search may reveal records outside of a candidate’s listed residences.
Related Reading: Why Statewide Searches Belong in Your Screening Process
👉 Curious how this impacts your hiring process? Check out our connected article: Why Should I Include a Statewide Criminal Search in My Screening Process?
Why Choose NCS
At National Crime Search (NCS), we guide you through the nuances of background checks. We know which statewide searches provide value—and when a county criminal search is the smarter choice. Our solutions are customizable to your business needs, ensuring you get accurate, compliant results without wasted costs.
Trusted by thousands of employers nationwide, NCS is your partner for reliable background screening. Visit our State Resources pages or contact us today to build a smarter screening process.
