Written by Background Check Repair
Background Checks | June 28, 2024
Table of Contents
Knowing what is included in the 2023 Amazon background check can help potential delivery drivers, warehouse associates, employees, and executives prepare for Amazon’s application and interview process.
The updated process can be explained in nine steps, which assess job candidates from different perspectives, including precious employment and license verification, credit history and criminal records, driving records and drug testing, and the sex offender registry.
However, there are specific laws and statutes that apply that can limit what information Amazon background checks reveal.
Anyone concerned about the records Amazon might access during a background check can perform a self-check to understand which details will appear.
But, in either case, this guide outlines the steps involved with an Amazon background check and the 2023 hiring process but also examines how state and federal laws impact what will show up on the record, and how applicants can reduce the chance of having a failed employment background check for Amazon, Inc.
When wondering how far back does Amazon background check go, many people are confused about whether it is a 7- or 10-year examination of criminal history.
The length of time that a background check will examine for Amazon generally depends on the state where the check was administered, but for most states, the background check will not extend farther back than seven years.
Some 10-year background check states will allow the search to go back further.
Amazon conducts its background check through Accurate Background, a third-party agency system that compiles information on the applicant to determine if they are fit for the open position.1
Both Amazon and Accurate Background comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act to limit the information included in the background check to what is legally permissible. For example, unless the position is a corporate level or high salary, nothing older than seven years will show up on the background check or be used to determine if a person is qualified.
The background check process for Amazon is fairly standard. Applicants may download an app to complete the application and monitor the background check progress, or access the platforms online.
Individuals can head to the Amazon Jobs website to find the roles at Amazon currently available.
Click on the ‘Begin your search’ link to go to the Job Portal page. Here, individuals can search for jobs by title or keyword. Jobs available will appear in the middle of the screen, listing the title of the job, location, when the job was posted, basic qualifications required, and whether the job is full-time or part-time.
Once the individual sees a job they would be qualified for or are interested in, they can click on the link to the job.
For example, an individual can click on ‘Delivery Station Liaison – Full Time (40 Hours) – DML2 – Sussex, WI, USA’ to take them to the job description page. Here, there will be a description of the open position that involves the address for the location of the job, the schedule for the role, the hourly needs, the responsibilities of the job in question, basic qualifications required, preferred qualifications, and related jobs.
Individuals can then click on ‘Apply Now’ to submit an application for the job.
Once a candidate clicks on ‘Apply Now’, they will have to create an account, if they have not yet already. Individuals must click on ‘Create one!’ if they do not have an account, or they can enter their email or mobile number if they already use an account on the Job Search website.
Once they have clicked on ‘Create one,’ they need to then enter the legal first name, legal last name, preferred first and last name, email address, mobile number, preferred language, preferred time zone, and personal PIN.
NOTE: be sure to enter legal names and accurate information to prevent delays in an Amazon background check.
Continue the registration process to create an account linked to the Amazon Job Portal site.
Finish the application for the job after creating your registration on the Amazon Job Portal website.
The application will have questions pertaining to your previous experience, work history, educational background, and personal information (i.e., name, gender, contact information, etc.).
The application and interview process for Amazon will differ depending on the role, such as the experience required and the expertise of the open role, but there are a few ways in which the next step will work during the Amazon hiring process.
Some applicants will have to go through a phone interview depending on the location of the role (remote vs. non-remote) or the position. Other applicants will have to attend an in-person interview to see if they make it to the following stage. Amazon will contact the applicants who make it to the next stage of the hiring process via email after they have submitted the application (and potentially an assessment for senior roles).
The next step in the job application process for Amazon roles is consenting to the background check. After an interview, Amazon will offer a conditional job that is dependent on passing the employee background checks.
Amazon requires a criminal background check going back 7 years according to the FCRA.
Individuals who have submitted their background check and waited the allotted time will receive a decision regarding the status of their application — whether it was accepted, denied, or still pending. So, what happens when a person’s Amazon background check is completed? What are the next steps?
After the background check is completed, individuals who have passed will receive a green checkmark on their app indicating they are ready to start work. In this case, they will have to complete the video training, input tax information, and enter their bank information to get paid via direct deposit.
If a hopeful employee finds their background check is still pending after the allotted time frame (2-7 days), it might be due to human error or system error. Individuals may sometimes input something incorrectly during the application process, such as misspelling their name, typing in the wrong social security number, or putting in an incorrect email address.
Lastly, the Amazon hiring process is still not completely digital and via online methods, slowing down the 2-7-day timeline in some instances.
Individuals who applied to become Amazon Flex drivers can check their application status by clicking on the Accurate Applicant Status Portal.15 The status portal will tell the applicant whether the status is pending, accepted, or denied.
The Amazon background check number for those who need to contact customer service is (844) 220-6471.4
The Amazon background check email is [email protected].5
The Amazon background check requirements involve a name-based background check (level 1 background check) using the person’s social security number, and full name, and then checks databases for criminal misdemeanors, arrests, convictions, felonies, or pending charges.
Amazon may hire felons — but it depends on the specific Amazon position. The background check process is the same across the board, but its impact on the person’s application will depend on the location of the job, the position applied for, and the felony committed.
The Amazon Background Check requirements include the following:
(Image: USA.gov16)
The Amazon Flex background check aims to promote a safe and trustworthy workplace for employees and employers.2
There is a list of requirements and steps that individuals must complete to pass the background check and begin working as a delivery driver for Amazon.
Can I pass a background check if I have a misdemeanor? How can I find out if there’s a misdemeanor on my record?
Running a background check on yourself before Amazon can identify if any misdemeanors are present.
Amazon Flex typically takes around 1-2 days to verify the person’s driver’s license.14 The Amazon Flex driver’s license verification can sometimes take longer for specific individuals, especially if they have issues uploading their driver’s license to the system, the quality of the photo is blurry or dark, or there are software issues in the Amazon Flex system.
(Image: E-Verify14)
The overall process of the Amazon background check takes between 2 and 7 days to complete on average. Although the process is quicker than other background checks, the definite time frame will still depend on the specific individual and their records.
The Amazon hiring process typically takes between 2-3 weeks, depending on the specific individual, the open job position, and how long a background check takes.
Usually, the more advanced position the person is applying for, the longer it takes. Since there will be more of a background check process and multiple in-person interviews, this process can take longer than an entry-level position.7
This is what the hiring process timeline looks like for an Amazon candidate:
*Certain situations can delay the hiring process. In some scenarios, interviewers and employees cannot come to a decision regarding the candidate’s qualifications for the position. In this case, the person in question may be asked to come in for a “final” interview in which the employees must decide on the person’s employment possibility.
Amazon will conduct a pre-employment drug test before the person in question is even considered for the open position. The applicant will undergo a mouth swab during the pre-employment drug test, followed by a urine test to see if there are any specific drugs in that person’s system.
The mouth swab will tell the time frame in which the person ingested the drug, whereas the urine test could indicate which category of drugs were taken. Although it can harm a person’s chances of being hired, it is not an automatic disqualifier from getting hired at Amazon.8
The average time frame for a drug test to come back during the Amazon application process can range from 6 days to 2 weeks.9
A Background check for Amazon typically takes between 2-7 days, although some criminal background searches may only take 1-3 business days.10
Amazon abides by the 2&5 promise, which states that applicants will be contacted within two days after the phone screen process, and also within five days after the onsite interview. However, keep in mind that these days are generally exempted by weekends and holidays.
If the application process is taking longer than 2-7 days to hear back from the business, applicants should consider contacting Amazon support.
There are many reasons why a person’s Amazon application may have been rejected during the hiring process.11
Suppose an applicant finds that their application has been rejected. In that case, Amazon will use their “2&5 Promise” program to let the applicant know within two working days after a phone interview or within five working days after an in-person interview.12 After the interview process, Amazon employees will brief one another and make a timely decision on the person’s suitability in question.
Amazon will not hire felons for permanent job positions. However, Amazon may hire felons for temporary jobs.13
When seeking employment with Amazon, understanding the Amazon background check steps and how long it takes can make the entire 2023 hiring process much easier.
For long-term positions, Amazon does not hire felons. However, Amazon may hire a felon for a short-term position.
Amazon cannot disqualify a person from a job position solely on the fact of their criminal history record. Amazon must take all of the information into account before making the final hiring decision to avoid discrimination or bias.
The Amazon background check typically takes between 2-7 working days, depending on the person in question, the screening process, and any human error during the applicant process.
Individuals must follow certain steps to even consider getting hired at Amazon:
Amazon will accept workers with a variety of past skills and employment histories. The past employment and education history will depend on the job role in question.
The Amazon background check includes criminal history (convictions, charges, pending charges), credit history, motor vehicle records, employment verification, education history, and drug screening.
Individuals who want to work at Amazon cannot skip the background criminal history check, or else they will not be considered for the job position.
Amazon can ask about previous felonies if they were within 7 years of the look-back date, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act federal law.
Amazon follows state and federal laws regarding background checks, taking into account the 7-year look-back period from the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state-specific laws for onsite positions. For other information, such as credit history, employment history, or education verification, the background check can go back as far as chosen by Amazon.
If the Amazon records are not correct for a person’s specific background check, they should contact the Accurate Background Customer service team. Individuals who find their background check information is incorrect must contact the customer service team to see if it was a clerical error or if their background check records are inputted incorrectly in the county, state, or federal database.
If the Amazon background check is taking longer for a specific applicant than the traditional time frame, it can be due to input error (misspelled name), lack of information, or human error on the part of Amazon workers.
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14US Department of Homeland Security. (2022). Drivers License Verification. E-Verify. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from <https://www.e-verify.gov/employers/verification-process/drivers-license-verification>
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