This course is based on the document, Best Practice Standards: The Proper Use of Criminal Records in Hiring. These standards will help you make hiring decisions to maximize productivity and minimize the risk of liability. This course covers the six steps used to evaluate an applicant with a criminal record.

Performance Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Follow Best Practice Standards that align with the recommendations made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Enforcement and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
• Make hiring decisions that maximize productivity and minimize liability.
• Develop a relevance screening process that notes when to perform criminal records checks and identifies relevant charges.
• Select a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that verifies all records and is compliant with the FCRA.
• Explore options for inquiring about criminal records in job announcements, applications, and interviews.
• Meet FCRA’s legal requirements ensuring that applicant’s rights are upheld.
• Ensure that final hiring procedures abide by FCRA guidelines.

Intended Audience: Hiring authorities.

Instructions to access the eLearning: Register for this course by searching for WA State Use of Criminal Records in Hiring in the Washington State Learning Center.

Contact the DES training team with questions at Traininginfo@des.wa.gov.