What’s A Level 2 Background Check In Florida?
- Carlos Crameri
- Mar 19, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
If you're based in Florida, you know how important it is to hire the right people—especially when your team can directly impact your company’s reputation and growth. A thorough background check helps you protect your brand and ensure you're bringing on trustworthy talent.
✅ Need a Level 2 Background Check for Employment or Licensing?
✅Curious about what might show up on a Level 2 check?
You can also order a FBI Background Check to receive a copy of your national criminal records and arrests for yourself. This search will go back to your 18th birthday.
A thorough criminal background check is a standard part of today’s hiring process, especially in Florida — where employers want to be confident that the information on a candidate’s resume matches their actual history. Verifying this helps ensure you're hiring someone trustworthy and qualified for the role.
In Florida, background checks typically fall into two main categories:
Level 1 Background Check pre-employment check. This check used for employment purposes, is the standard non-fingerprint background search of state and national records. It typically includes:
Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions
State criminal history
National sex offender registry
Drug testing, social media and additional services depending on the employer
Level 2 Background Check A more in-depth screening, this includes:
Fingerprint-based checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and FBI
National criminal history and sex offender registry
Required for roles of trust—such as working with children, the elderly, or vulnerable populations
Required for Licensing and Schooling in Florida
Requirements for a level 2 background check
This check’s requirements vary depending on whether you are conducting a state or national level 2 check.
For a state check, submitting a fingerprint card or name is enough.
If you are conducting a national level 2 background check, you will need to adhere to these requirements:
● The check must not be against public policy.
● Submit the fingerprints of the person being searched. They must first pass through the state repository.
● The entity receiving the report must be a governmental institution
● The entity must agree on the terms set by the FBI.
What offenses disqualify you from a level 2 background check?
The offenses below may disqualify an applicant from employment in roles requiring a Level 2 background check:
Violent crimes ( murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated assault)
Sexual offenses ( sexual battery, lewd and lascivious behavior, child pornography)
Drug trafficking or manufacturing of controlled substances
Theft and financial crimes ( grand theft, identity theft, embezzlement, forgery)
Fraud-related crimes ( Medicaid or welfare fraud, insurance fraud, exploitation of the elderly or disabled)
Abuse or neglect of children, the elderly, or disabled individuals
Arson and certain firearm violations
There are several disqualifying offenses the State of Florida has listed. Find out more here.
What Information Does A Level 2 Background Check Include?
A Florida Level 2 background check provides a comprehensive review of an individual’s criminal and employment-related history. It is designed to evaluate candidates for roles that involve access to vulnerable populations or sensitive information or licensing. The report typically includes:
Fingerprint-based national criminal history search through FDLE and the FBI
Florida arrest and conviction history, including sealed or expunged records in some cases (as permitted by law)
National Sex Offender Registry and state sex offender records
Warrants and pending charges
Employment disqualification lists, such as the Medicaid Exclusion List or AHCA's Background Screening Clearinghouse
Verification of identity using biometric data
The results are reviewed against the statutory list of disqualifying offenses to determine employment eligibility, depending on the role and agency requirements.
How Far Back Do Level 2 Background Checks Go?
Florida Level 2 background checks do not have a strict time limitation like Level 1 checks. Because they are fingerprint-based and include FBI data, they can uncover criminal records from decades ago, including:
Lifetime felony convictions
Older serious offenses, especially those involving violence, abuse, or sexual misconduct
Even sealed or expunged records may sometimes appear depending on the requesting agency and the nature of the position. The review is based on eligibility criteria defined by Florida statutes and the governing agency associated with the job or license.
How Far Back Do Level 1 Background Checks Go?
Level 1 background checks are name-based and limited to Florida state databases. By default, Global Background Screening provides a 7-year search scope for Level 1 background checks.
However, we may extend this timeline in certain cases depending on:
The employer’s request
The applicant’s salary (e.g., $75,000+ may allow longer reporting under FCRA)
Applicable state laws that allow or restrict extended scope reporting
Adding an National Criminal Search request
Employers can choose to extend the search back further where legally permitted, especially when hiring for executive or high-trust roles.
Can You Pass A Level 2 Background Check With A Felony?
It is possible to pass a Level 2 background check with a felony, but it depends on some key factors:
Nature of the felony: Certain crimes: such as violent offenses, sexual crimes, child abuse, and serious fraud — may automatically disqualify you from employment in regulated roles.
Time since conviction: Florida law allows individuals to apply for an Exemption from Disqualification after a set period (often 3 to 7 years) following completion of all sentencing requirements.
Type of role: Positions involving care of children, elderly, or vulnerable individuals are held to stricter standards. For other positions, disqualification rules may be more flexible.
Rehabilitation and supporting documentation: Demonstrating rehabilitation, submitting letters of recommendation, or showing evidence of community involvement may strengthen an exemption request.
Florida Department of Children and Families Exemption from Disqualification: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/background-screening/apply-exemption-disqualification
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Exemption from Disqualification:
Ultimately, eligibility is determined by the agency regulating the position (such as AHCA, DCF, or DOH).
Federal laws regarding criminal background checks
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the federal law against employment discrimination.
According to the EEOC, it’s a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act for any employer to deny employment to an applicant based on their criminal records unless the crime is directly related to the job.
How Much Does FDLE Level 2 Background Screening Cost?
A Level II FDLE Fingerprinting background check can cost between 70-$120 depending on the agency you need to send it to, which is tied to your ORI number. The ORI number is mandatory to have before ordering and it's typically a 9 digit identifier assigned to a specific Florida Agency.
Order Fingerprint Background Checks In Seconds
Below you can easily order 1 of 3 types of the most common fingerprinting services for employment purposes.
It's important to find out what employers see to go ahead and correct any misinformation found at the courthouses or government databases. This can also be done below.
Don't have your ORI Number? Ask your Employer or the Agency requiring you to provide a Level 2 Background Check what it is. Here are the most common ORI numbers in Florida.
