What disqualifies a level 2 background check in Florida?
Asked by: Tristian Little | Last update: February 19, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (29 votes)
In Florida, a Level 2 background check disqualifies you for serious crimes, especially those involving violence, sexual misconduct, abuse of vulnerable populations (children, elderly, disabled), drug offenses, and certain white-collar crimes, with offenses like murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and sexual offenses often being automatic disqualifiers, though specific offenses are detailed in Florida Statutes, Chapter 435. An arrest awaiting disposition or a conviction, plea, or adjudication for these crimes is disqualifying, but exemptions may be available.
What is looked for on a level 2 background check in Florida?
The Level 2 DCF Background Screening is a comprehensive criminal background check that includes fingerprint-based checks for: Statewide criminal history records (Florida Department of Law Enforcement). National criminal history records (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What shows up on a level 2 background check?
What is a Level 2 background check? A Level 2 background screen checks criminal histories related to crimes against children, seniors, and other vulnerable people. This comprehensive and specialized type of screening can even reveal records that have been sealed by courts, including juvenile convictions.
What disqualifies you from passing a background check in FL?
In Florida, you're disqualified from passing a background check (especially Level 2) for serious offenses like violent felonies, sexual crimes, child/elder abuse, drug trafficking, financial fraud, or providing false info; having unresolved charges, specific convictions (e.g., domestic violence within 3 years), or being on registries (sex offender) are automatic disqualifiers, with honesty in disclosure being crucial.
What kind of records are checked in level 2?
In addition to criminal history checks, Level 2 screenings include employment and education verifications, healthcare exclusions screening, sex offender registry search, and drug screening. Depending on the position, a licensing check may be included to reveal any disciplinary actions or other issues.
🚨 Florida Level 2 Background Check: Will You Pass or Fail?
What makes you fail a level 2 background check?
A Level 2 background check, common in Florida for positions of trust (working with children, elderly, disabled), disqualifies you for serious crimes like sexual offenses, violent felonies (murder, kidnapping), abuse, financial fraud (Medicare fraud), drug trafficking, and crimes of moral turpitude, as well as pending charges or convictions for offenses substantially similar to these listed in Florida Statute 435.04, even if records are sealed/expunged (for some cases).
How far back does a Tier 2 background check go?
Level 2 screenings can go back as far as records go, though most employers will choose to keep their search within the past ten years. Disqualifying offenses may not always rule a candidate out for their preferred job.
What looks bad on a background check?
Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer.
What is the most common reason for failing a background check?
The most common reasons for failing a background check are criminal history, inaccuracies on your resume (like faking education or experience), and failing a drug test, with other frequent issues including a poor driving record, bad credit, or unverifiable information. A criminal record, especially for theft, violence, or fraud, is a major disqualifier, as are lies about your past, but many minor offenses from long ago may be overlooked.
What is the hardest background check to pass?
The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist.
What does level 2 mean on a background check?
A Level 2 background check is a thorough, fingerprint-based screening checking state and national criminal records, typically for jobs involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly, disabled) or high trust/security, revealing arrests, convictions, and sometimes sealed records, often required by Florida law for specific roles in healthcare, education, and childcare.
How long does a level 2 background check take in Florida?
Please note the Background Screening Units average processing times for reviewing these screenings is 5 to 7 business days once the results are received from FDLE. All persons required to be screened must be screened and eligible before they are hired to work in a position that requires a Level 2 background screening.
What are red flags on a background check?
Red flags on a background check are inconsistencies or negative findings like criminal history (especially violent or financial crimes), employment/education discrepancies (lying about degrees or dates), poor credit, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media that raise concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role. Major red flags include criminal records, dishonesty, financial irresponsibility (for financial roles), and substance abuse issues.
What shows up on a level two background check?
In a Level 2 background check, the fingerprints of the subject persons are checked against state and national databases of information for records of arrests and convictions that are related to violence and crimes including: Felony convictions. Crimes against children and vulnerable individuals. Misdemeanor convictions.
How far back does Florida go on a background check?
Florida has no laws limiting how far back an employer can seek criminal convictions in a candidate's past.
Can you get a job with a failed background check?
Depending on the role, a “failed” background check may not automatically disqualify a candidate from the position (although there are exceptions), but it may require a closer look at the candidate's history to understand why they “failed” the check before making a hiring decision.
What won't pass a background check?
You fail a background check due to red flags like criminal history, lying on your application (education, job history), a failed drug test, a poor driving record, or issues like bad credit for finance roles, all of which signal a potential mismatch with the job's requirements or company standards. Other common reasons include unverifiable credentials, negative references, or even inconsistent personal identification details.
When should I be worried about a background check?
So, if you are worried about passing a background check, it's best to look into how long it has been since your last conviction. If it has been more than seven years, you have no worries about any job you may seek.
What will disqualify you from a background check?
Disqualifying offenses in background checks typically involve serious crimes like violent offenses (murder, assault, kidnapping), sexual offenses (child molestation, sexual assault), major drug felonies (trafficking, manufacturing), and financial crimes (fraud, money laundering), especially for roles involving vulnerable populations or federal security, but can also include poor credit, drug use, domestic violence, and inconsistent application info, depending on the job and state laws. Federal and state laws mandate disqualifications for specific offenses, while employers often have their own criteria, considering the nature, recency, and relevance of the offense to the job.
What could ruin a background check?
You fail a background check due to red flags like criminal history, lying on your application (education, job history), a failed drug test, a poor driving record, or issues like bad credit for finance roles, all of which signal a potential mismatch with the job's requirements or company standards. Other common reasons include unverifiable credentials, negative references, or even inconsistent personal identification details.
What stuff pops up on a background check?
A background check reveals a person's history, typically including identity verification, criminal records (felonies, misdemeanors, pending cases), employment history, education verification, and sometimes credit reports, driving records, or drug test results, depending on the role's requirements and regulations. It helps employers confirm qualifications, uncover red flags, and ensure suitability for a position, though the depth varies greatly by industry (e.g., finance vs. retail).
What crimes stop you from getting a job?
A petty theft conviction, even a misdemeanor, can be an insurmountable hurdle for many employment opportunities. Employers view any theft crime as a breach of trust that puts assets, inventory, and workplace security at risk.
What disqualifies you on a level 2 background check in Florida?
In Florida, a Level 2 background check disqualifies you for serious crimes, especially those involving violence, sexual misconduct, fraud, or abuse against vulnerable populations (children, elderly, disabled), including felonies like murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and certain misdemeanors, with a conviction, guilty/no contest plea, or even an arrest awaiting disposition for a disqualifying offense often resulting in failure. Out-of-state crimes "substantially similar" to Florida's disqualifying offenses also count, and sealed/expunged records may still be disqualifying.
What does level 2 result mean on a background check?
Findings require review: A Level 2 result means that there are some findings or potential issues identified during the check that the hiring company should review. These findings could be related to criminal records, employment history, or other areas covered by the background check.
How to prepare for a level 2 background check?
Disclose any relevant information, such as criminal history or employment gaps, to potential employers upfront. Prepare for Communication: Be prepared to discuss any discrepancies that may arise during the background check process. Provide additional documentation or explanations as needed to clarify information.