Washington Background Check Laws
What are Washington background check and ban-the-box laws?
We update this overview of Washington background check laws and ban-the-box rules often. But laws change quickly, and we cannot guarantee all information is current. Always consult your attorney for legal advice.
- FCRA
- District Laws
- Ban-The-Box
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
In order to set a standard for hiring policies, the federal government created the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, which monitors and protects both employers and job candidates.
STATE LAWS
RCW 19.182.040 – Consumer report – Prohibited information – Exceptions
Our Take: Consumer reporting agencies cannot report on criminal information that is older than 7 years, unless the consumer report is used in connection with: (1) a credit transaction that involves or is expected to involve $50,000 or more; or (2) a life insurance policy of $50,000 or more; or (3) the employment of an applicant whose annual salary will equal or is expected to equal $20,000 or more.
RCW 19.182.020 Consumer Reports – Furnishing – Procuring
Our Take: An employer cannot obtain a credit report for employment purposes unless the employer is required by law to obtain the credit information; or the credit information is substantially related to the job and the reason for obtaining the credit information is disclosed in writing to the applicant or employee.
BAN-THE-BOX AND FAIR HIRING LAWS
LOCAL LAWS — PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMPANIES
No statewide ban-the-box or fair hiring laws exist for Washington. See which counties and cities have local ban-the-box and fair hiring laws.
