How far back does the FBI background go?

[BigDenny]

I've heard a number of conflicting things about the FBI background check. One source said it only goes back the past 7 years and by what's on your National Security Questionaiire, others said it went as far back as birth, checking with elementary and junior high teachers?? My only concern is that my father was a convicted felon. I haven't had any contact with him since I was 7 years old, but will he still pose a problem? He's not even on my birth certificate so will they have to talk to the bastard? Thanks in advance.

[Switchback]

It should go back 10 years (top secret clearance). Secret clearances go back 7.

Don't worry about pops. You can choose your friends, but not your family.l

[BigDenny]

Also, how much of your internet history do they look into? How far back does that go? Again, I don't have anything to hide but I'm just curious if they'll be contacting people on my contact list.

[Safety Steve]

It should go back 10 years (top secret clearance). Secret clearances go back 7.

Don't worry about pops. You can choose your friends, but not your family.l

Wow, I would have guessed they would have gone back further. We go back to the 9th grade down here.


Be Safe.

[XB70]

It should go back 10 years (top secret clearance). Secret clearances go back 7.

Careful here Switchback. Depending on the state your violation happened in and the severity of your offense, these Top Secret background checks go back to, at least, your 18th birth day. It's not your fault Switchback. I know you're doing the best you can with the information you have, but, your post here got me into a little bit of hot water at a new job. I'd read this thread last year (2011) and didn't fess-up to a troubled past I had in the early 90's, including an alcohol related offense 20 years ago. Low-and-behold, one week into my pilot training at an airline, I was called into HR to explain why I hadn't fully disclosed my misdemeanor speckled past (3 of them).

Interestingly my distant, but most recent violation was NOT on the FBI background check; the one I had actually thought for sure would be on there. Violations from the early 90's (20 years ago) were. If you're a pilot or involved in some other safety sensitive occupation, waiting for 10 years to pass until your DUI, DWI, DWAI is no longer on your FBI background check, call the Criminal Records Division of whatever state that happened in first, before wasting a bunch of time for nothing.

Fortunately in my case, so much time had passed, and I had a very good reason for my troubled ways when I was young, I continued my flight training. I think, the best advise to give if you have a bit of a troubled background is to leave the worst thing off your application, yet divulge it during your interview. I'd even type it out on a separate piece of paper and add it to your application at the interview. But that's just my two cents.

[Citicop]

I think, the best advise to give if you have a bit of a troubled background is to leave the worst thing off your application, yet divulge it during your interview. I'd even type it out on a separate piece of paper and add it to your application at the interview. But that's just my two cents.

LMAO

That might "work" (as in not get you fired) from a civilian contractor job, but it would probably be the end of your Law Enforcement Application with that agency. Lying or omitting things on your application is taken seriously.

Your condescension is unwarranted; Switchback has arguably one of the best positions in Law Enforcement at the Federal Level and knows what he's talking about.

Plus this thread hasn't been active in more than two years. Please leave old threads to rest.

-Citicop.