What would cause a background check to be pending?
Asked by: Josianne Ratke | Last update: December 19, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (37 votes)
A pending background check occurs during the assessment process, typically due to missing, inaccurate, or conflicting information. A background check can also be pending, thanks to court system delays, third-party delayed responses, international checks, or a bottleneck of background checks due to the time of year.
What does it mean if my background check is pending?
What Does a Pending Background Check Mean? If an employment background check is pending, the background check service is still in progress and has not completed all aspects. A background check in progress means the same thing as background check pending.
What causes a delayed background check?
A delay response indicates the subject of the background check has been matched with either a state or federal potentially prohibiting record containing a similar name and/or similar descriptive features (name, sex, race, date of birth, state of residence, social security number, height, weight, or place of birth).
What is a red flag on background check?
A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.
What is the longest you can wait for a background check?
Generally, a background check takes between 1 and 5 days to complete. However, the exact timescale is dependent on various factors. The type, complexity of the checks, and third-party availability can all impact the length of time it takes to return a comprehensive background check.
Why would a background check still be pending?
What does it mean if a background check takes a long time?
The more information required, the longer the screening process will take. You will often find that the most prolonged background checks are for positions that give an employee direct responsibility for another human being, such as education or healthcare.
What are the disqualifying offenses for background checks?
INTERIM DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES
Extortion. Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling.
How do I know if I failed my background check?
If the potential employer decides not to hire you based on the results from the background check, they must provide you with a notice of "adverse action" and a copy of the background report, along with a summary of your rights under the FCRA.
Who makes the final decision after a background check?
After a background check is complete, employers use the information they find through the process to make informed decisions about whether they would like to invite you to be a part of their organization.
What are yellow flags on a background check?
Generally though, a “yellow flag" means that the screening found some derogatory information, but nothing that satisfied any criteria for automatic disqualification. Think of a warning versus an error; one indicates something that you should watch for, and the other indicates an actual problem.
Should I be concerned if my background check is delayed?
Main Reasons for a Delay
Sometimes holidays and jurisdictional delays can slow down the screening process. Other times, applicants with complex histories and backgrounds require additional steps. A delayed background check is not always cause for concern.
How worried should I be about a background check?
When in doubt, prepare and be honest. An employment background check is a normal part of the screening process for many jobs. If you've gotten this far in the hiring process and have been honest with your potential employer, you likely don't have to stress about what employers look for in a background check.
Do background checks come before or after an offer letter?
Employers often perform background checks before extending job offers. A brief period in between a background check and a job offer is common because the results of a background check can result in an employer choosing to hire a different applicant.
Can you get a job with a pending background?
California law permits the inclusion of all pending criminal charges in a background check, so even if you have not been convicted, the mere presence of charges against you might influence an employer's decision.
How do I know if my background check went through?
Reach out to the background check company
They'll let you know if you passed or failed the background check. Likely, they'll be able to give you a report, highlighting any red flags or issues that may have caused you to fail the employment background check.
What is the meaning of screening pending?
When the candidate receives the invitation for background screening, the status will be changed to "Pending (Candidate)." Pending (candidate) means the background verification details are pending from the candidate side. Until the candidate completes all the verification details, the status will be shown as "Pending."
Will a job tell you if you passed a background check?
If you pass it, the hiring manager will likely send an email to you with your job offer or contact you by phone. If the employer decides against hiring you based on information contained in your background check, the FCRA requires them to complete the adverse action process.
What are red flags in a pre-employment background check?
Some of the most common types of red flags include: The presence of one or more misdemeanor or felony criminal records. Discrepancies between reported employment experience and verified work history. Falsely claiming possession of professional or technical licenses.
How long does it take to hear back after a background check?
How long does a background check take? It's impossible to give an exact time frame, as every employer differs – but you should hear something within a week or two following a background check. It can take anywhere from two to five days to conduct an employment background check.
What looks bad on a background check?
Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...
Can you still get hired if you fail a background check?
Depending on the role to be assumed by the job candidate and the information uncovered by the background check, a failed background check after a job offer generally does not automatically disqualify them from the position.
How do you tell a candidate they failed the background check?
Notify Your Job Candidate
In addition to informing the candidate that you're considering adverse action due to their background check results, you must provide a few extra documents, including: A summary of the candidate's background check results. A copy of the background check report.
Why can't I pass a background check?
Inconsistencies may include gaps in your employment history, inaccurate descriptions of duties and responsibilities, inaccurate employment lengths or false employer information. These items may disqualify you from passing an employee background check because of concerns about your work ethic and integrity.
What qualifies as passing a background check?
Contrary to popular belief, background checks aren't something you either pass or fail. Passing a background check simply means the hiring manager was satisfied with its results. Employers who use these checks consider various factors before making any hiring decision based on your background check data.
Can I pass a background check if I haven't been convicted?
For example, California allows the inclusion of all pending charges in background checks. While the state forbids reporting of arrests not resulting in convictions, it doesn't prohibit the reporting of currently pending criminal charges.