What Shows Up in a Background Check for Education Verification?

Employers often conduct background checks on job applicants as part of the hiring process. Background checks can provide a variety of information, such as criminal records, military service records or credit history. Another common check is education verification.

Purpose

According to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, resume fraud is a serious concern for employers. Background checks can ensure that applicants are being truthful. Since most job postings have a minimum education requirement, employers seek to verify that potential employees have the training and skills necessary to perform their duties effectively.

Features

An education verification includes only public information: the student's name and address, name(s) of the school(s) attended, dates of attendance, honors and awards received and degree(s) earned. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, schools must inform students of what information can be released and give students the opportunity to request that this information not be disclosed. Federal law protects the confidentiality of other educational information, including transcripts, recommendations, disciplinary files and financial records.

Process

Employers verify an applicant's education claims in one of three ways: checking public records and databases, which are increasingly available online; directly contacting schools' records offices; or hiring a third-party, background-checking company.

References

• U.S. Department of Education: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: Employment Background Checks