As a rule, background checks in the United States go back seven years for employment purposes. Some things can look back to ten years and, in some rare cases, go back even farther, depending on the employment that you’re seeking.

If you’re working for the federal government, state, law enforcement agencies, or have access to persons at risk; there are carve-outs in the state, federal, and sometimes local laws. They will require or allow the employer to go back farther than seven years. But as a rule, over 95% of all employment background checks only go back seven years.