How Long Does HireRight Background Check Take?

Evelyn Sanderson - September 24, 2025

HireRight is one of the largest background check companies in the United States, used by employers across industries. Their job is to confirm the details you provided about your work history, education, and criminal records.

If you are applying for a new job, chances are your employer will use HireRight. And, one of the first things most candidates want to know is how long a HireRight background check actually takes.

The answer is usually a few days. Still, timing can vary based on what kind of information is being verified. This guide walks you through how long it takes, what slows things down, and what you can do while you wait.

What Is a HireRight Background Check?

A HireRight background check is a pre-employment screening process employers use to verify a candidate’s history and qualifications before making a final hiring decision. It helps companies confirm information listed on your application and make sure you meet job requirements.

What HireRight Checks

HireRight doesn’t run the same check for every candidate. The type of screening depends on the job, the industry, and what the employer requests. Here are the most common parts of a HireRight background check:

1. Criminal records searches at the local, state, and national levels.
   
2. Employment history verification, including past employers, job titles, and dates.
   
3. Education checks to confirm academic degrees and professional licenses.
   
4. Identity verification to confirm legal name and personal documents.
   
5. Credit reports when the job involves handling money or financial responsibilities.
   
6. Driving records for roles that require operating a vehicle.
   
7. Drug and alcohol testing when it is part of an employer’s policy.

Not every employer will request all of these. A sales job may focus on employment history, while a delivery role might add driving records. Knowing what is checked can help you prepare for a background check and avoid surprises.

How the HireRight Background Check Process Works

The HireRight background check process follows a clear set of steps. Each one is designed to confirm a candidate’s identity, qualifications, and history before hiring. While the details may vary by job, the overall process is usually the same.

• Conditional Offer: The employer makes a job offer that depends on the results of the background check.
  
• Applicant Invitation: HireRight sends an online form to the candidate asking for details and documents, and the candidate consents to the screening.

• Form Completion: The candidate provides personal information, work history, education, and uploads required documents by computer or mobile device.

• Verification Begins: HireRight verifies employment, education, criminal records, licenses, and other requested checks. If clarification is needed, the candidate may be contacted directly.

• Employer Notification: Once the screening is complete, the report is sent to the employer. HireRight does not make recommendations.

• Final Communication: The employer informs the candidate whether the offer is confirmed or withdrawn based on the results.

HireRight also attempts multiple times to verify information such as past jobs or education. If records are hard to confirm, the employer may ask the candidate to provide documents. The process is handled under privacy laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and quick responses from the candidate can help move things along faster.

Why a HireRight Background Check Matters

A HireRight background check is more than a formality. It plays an important role in workplace safety, fair hiring, and protecting the reputation of the organization.

Notable benefits for employers include:

• Improved Quality of Hire: Screening verifies credentials and helps reduce the risk of resume fraud.

• Workplace Safety and Security: Checking criminal and employment history lowers the risk of hiring someone who may put others at risk.

• Regulatory Compliance: Many industries, such as finance and healthcare, require checks to meet legal standards.

Other than these upsides, background checks also encourage candidates to be honest in their applications. Plus, they protect a company’s reputation by confirming that staff are properly vetted.

How Long Does HireRight Background Check Take?

The time it takes to finish a HireRight background check depends on the type of information being verified. While many checks are completed quickly, others require more time because they involve outside responses or manual record searches.

That said, here are the typical timelines for a HireRight background check:

1. Criminal Record Searches: One to three business days if records are digital and easy to access.
   
2. Employment Verification: Two to five business days, but longer if past employers are slow to respond.
   
3. Education Verification: Two to four business days, though schools may delay confirmation.
   
4. Drug Testing: One to three business days after the lab processes the sample.
   
5. International Checks: May take 10-20 business days or more because of differences in record systems and local laws.

For most candidates, a HireRight background check is done within 2-5 business days. Delays usually mean a verification is pending, not that the results are negative.

What Can Cause Delays in a HireRight Background Check?

There can be one or more reasons related to both applicant-provided information and external verification factors behind delays in a HireRight background check. Here are the most common roadblocks:

• Difficulty Contacting Former Employers or Schools: Employers and institutions may take time to respond or have limited staff, slowing down verification.
  
• Incomplete or Inaccurate Candidate Information: Errors in dates, names, or social security numbers can pause the process until corrected.
  
• Court Backlogs or Closures: Criminal record checks can take longer if courts are backed up, closed, or require manual record access.
  
• International Verifications: Records outside the United States often require more paperwork and extra time from foreign agencies.
  
• Errors in Background Data: Outdated or incorrect records may create discrepancies that need further investigation.
  
• Drug Testing Steps: Results can be delayed if extra review is required by a Medical Review Officer.
  
• Employer Review Delays: Sometimes the employer takes longer to review the results or requests additional details before making a final decision.

Most of these delays are administrative and don’t signal negative findings. Being accurate when submitting your information and checking in with past employers or schools can help reduce the risk of waiting longer than necessary.

How to Track Your HireRight Background Check Status

Waiting for a background check can feel stressful, but HireRight gives candidates several ways to check progress. Staying informed not only eases the wait but also helps you respond quickly if more information is needed.

Follow these steps to see what stage your background check process is at:

1. Applicant Center Portal: Candidates receive a unique link in the invitation email. By logging in, you can view the status of your background check (such as In Progress or Completed) and sometimes an estimated finish time.
   
2. Phone Status Check: Call HireRight’s automated system at 866-521-6995 for a quick update by following the menu options.
   
3. Hiring Company or Recruiter: Some employers handle communication directly. In these cases, HireRight may direct you to reach out to your recruiter or HR contact.
   
4. Email Notifications: Candidates may receive alerts or requests for documents by email, either from HireRight or directly from the employer.

Promptly responding to requests for documents or clarifications through the Applicant Center can help prevent delays. You may also see step-by-step progress for employment, education, and criminal checks if your employer enables that feature.

How Can You Help Speed Up Your HireRight Background Check?

While much of the background check process depends on outside responses, there are steps you can take to keep things moving. A little preparation can reduce delays and give your employer what they need more quickly.

Here are some tips to ensure the entire process runs without any hiccups:

• Double-Check Your Details: Make sure names, dates, and addresses are accurate on your application forms. Small errors can cause big delays.
  
• Gather Documents Early: Keep copies of diplomas, transcripts, or past employment records ready in case verification stalls.
  
• Alert Former Employers or Schools: Let them know to expect a verification request so they can respond promptly.
  
• Respond Quickly to HireRight Requests: Use the Applicant Center portal or email to upload missing documents as soon as you are asked.
  
• Run a Self-Check First: A personal background check from trusted third-party platforms can help you spot and fix errors in your records before HireRight sees them.
  
• Stay in Contact With Your Recruiter: Keep communication open so you know if the employer requires anything additional.

By staying proactive and keeping in touch with your recruiter, you can make sure the process moves smoothly. It also gives you more control over the process, helping you avoid preventable delays and ensuring your background check is completed as quickly and smoothly as possible.

So, How Long Does HireRight Background Check Take? Navigate With Confidence

Most HireRight background checks are completed in less than a week, and many finish even sooner. If yours seems to be stuck, don’t panic. Start by checking the Applicant Center portal, then respond quickly if HireRight or your recruiter asks for documents or clarification.

If delays continue, it usually means a school, past employer, or court is taking extra time to respond. These situations are common and have nothing to do with you. By staying organized, accurate, and proactive, you can move through the process with confidence and focus on the next step in your job search.