Background Checks for Political Candidates
According to the Society for Human Resources Management, over 90% of employers require background checks. What about background checks for political candidates? They rarely need a background check!
Which political candidates in Nevada must have background checks?
For a detailed explanation of the requirements to run for state and local office in Washoe County and Nevada, click here to be taken to “Requirements for Elected Offices in Washoe County“
Almost no elected offices in Nevada require background checks for political candidates. Here are the ones who do:
Attorney General
Here is the situation with the office of the Attorney General. Because they have to be a licensed attorney in Nevada, they have to be investigated by the Nevada Bar. There is no additional background check that they have to submit to. No official office verifies their license.
This is the same situation as with the Attorney General. Because they have to be a licensed attorney in Nevada, they have to be investigated by the Nevada Bar. There is no additional background check that they have to submit to. As in the case of the Attorney General, no official office verifies their license.
In the case of Justices of the Peace, in Washoe and Clark Counties (counties over 100,000 in population), a justice of the peace must be a licensed attorney, just like a “judge”. However, in smaller counties, this is not a requirement. Although candidates must have a high school diploma, BUT, no official office verifies a diploma.
Because they are in law enforcement, they must have at least a Peace Officer I certification, which involves an extensive background investigation. There is no additional background check to run for office.
Which employers require background checks?
It is interesting that elected officials almost never have to have a background check, but the people who work for them in government do! If you want to work for any of the following, you will have to have some kind of background check:
- Federal Government
- Washoe County Government (most positions)
- City of Reno
- City of Sparks
- Large retailers
- Banks
- Any job that required handling large sums of money
- Technology and many others
In addition, employers often require drug testing, and they may require a credit check.
For more information on background checks, see my blog post, Why Background Checks for Politicians?
