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Alabama background check laws for employers
Alabama has no ban-the-box or fair-chance law for private employers and no state consumer reporting law for employment beyond the federal FCRA. A person whose record was expunged does not have to disclose it on a job application. Employers that care for children, adults or people with disabilities in a caretaker setting must request state criminal checks.
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Fair-chance hiring (criminal history)
- No Alabama statute was found that limits when a private employer may ask about criminal history or that requires an individualized assessment; federal FCRA steps apply.
State consumer report rules
- No Alabama law adding steps beyond the federal FCRA for employment background checks was found; federal FCRA rules apply.
How far back a report can go
- No Alabama law limiting how far back a background report may go was found; the federal FCRA limits apply.
- After expungement, the proceedings are treated as never having occurred, and the person does not have to disclose the record on an application for employment (Ala. Code § 15-27-6(b)).
- A person with an expunged record must still disclose it to government regulatory or licensing agencies, utilities, and banks or other financial institutions (Ala. Code § 15-27-6(b)).
Credit checks
- No Alabama statute was found that limits employer use of credit reports beyond the federal FCRA.
Also good to know
- Employers that provide care to children, adults or people with disabilities in a caretaker setting, and licensed child and adult care facilities, must request a state criminal history background check on applicants, employees and volunteers (Ala. Code § 38-13-3(a); § 38-13-2).
Common questions
Can Alabama employers run a background check?
Alabama has no ban-the-box or fair-chance law for private employers and no state consumer reporting law for employment beyond the federal FCRA. A person whose record was expunged does not have to disclose it on a job application. Employers that care for children, adults or people with disabilities in a caretaker setting must request state criminal checks.
Does Alabama have a ban-the-box law for private employers?
No Alabama statute was found that limits when a private employer may ask about criminal history or that requires an individualized assessment; federal FCRA steps apply.
How far back does a background check go in Alabama?
No Alabama law limiting how far back a background report may go was found; the federal FCRA limits apply.
Can Alabama employers run credit checks on applicants?
No Alabama statute was found that limits employer use of credit reports beyond the federal FCRA.
Some rules for Alabama weren't confirmed from an official source. Check with the state before relying on this page.
Sources
- Ala. Code § 15-27-6 (Justia)
- Ala. Code § 15-27-16 (Justia)
- Ala. Code § 38-13-2 (Justia)
- Ala. Code § 38-13-3 (Justia)
This page summarizes state law in plain words, with links to the law itself. It is not legal advice, and laws change: check the linked source, and talk to a lawyer about your own policy. Federal DOT testing rules are separate and override state limits for DOT-covered jobs. Checked October 2026.
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