What you need to know about Walmart’s background check process

Last updated: July 15, 2025
Trending post
Elyssa Duncan
Community SpecialistBullet point
Follow
Community Specialist
Facebook share linkTwitter share link
Like
Comment
Share
What you need to know about Walmart’s background check process
Jump to section

It’s policy to conduct a background check for all potential employees

Like the vast majority of employers, Walmart conducts background checks on potential new hires to limit the risk to the company, its employees, and customers. Here’s what you need to know about Walmart’s background check and the grounds for disqualification.

The Walmart background check

While Walmart focuses on criminal checks, they also look into a couple of other things. Here’s what Walmart is interested in:

  • Criminal records

Walmart will look at felonies and misdemeanor arrests and convictions for the previous 7 years. Violent, sexual, drug, and financial/larceny offenses are most likely grounds for disqualification. Walmart does not hire violent criminals.

Note: Expunged records will not show up on a background check.

  • Identity confirmation

This includes address history and Social Security number validation. Hiring managers want to confirm what you say on your application is true. If an old address doesn’t match where you said you graduated from high school, this dishonesty could lead to disqualification.

  • Sex Offender Registry

On the state and/or federal level. If a sex crime was convicted more than 7 years ago, it won’t show up on the criminal check. Presence on the sex offender list is grounds for disqualification; Walmart doesn’t hire convicted sex offenders.

  • Credit score

Depending on state law, they may check credit scores. You have to give express permission for this. A poor credit score may flag a potential hire in an accounting or money-handling position, and may lead to disqualification.

  • Employment and education history

They want to verify the truth of your application. Dishonesty with either previous jobs or education is a reason not to hire you.

Job eligibility at Walmart: Put your best foot forward

Be truthful during your background check, regardless of what you expect the check to reveal. Answer each question in the application and interview honestly and thoroughly. Walmart supports the Ban the Box initiative, so you won’t answer a question about convictions on the application. But don’t fill in false dates for other jobs to cover up a gap in employment! If something not listed on your applications show up during the background check, you’ll be banned from working in any Walmart property.

It’s up to the location hiring manager to make the call. So do your best to make a personal connection!

107
160 Comments
Like
Comment
Share

Comments

Show previous comments
BigZa Hinton
Bullet point
Follow

They did hire me from a charge from 13 years ago I did a I form got the work card and everything .they said they couldn't hire me from my background from 14years ago

5w
Like
Reply
Joe D
Bullet point
Follow

I have a couple charges 2017 and 2000 will this deter me from walmart

6w
Like
Reply
Laura Cooper
Bullet point
Follow

I have a nonviolent misdemeanor from a year ago. Will this disqualify me?

9w
Like
Reply
2
Laura Cooper
Bullet point
Follow

I have a misdemeanor, non violent, from a year ago. Will this disqualify me?

9w
Like
Reply
See all replies
Jeffery Lake
Bullet point
Follow

My background check was put in last Friday I have no criminal record no record at all for criminal or anything like that and it's been 5 days does anyone know what's taking so long

9w
Like
Reply
1
Sabrina Smith
Bullet point
Follow

Like I said, I have a assault charge from 5 years ago from an ex who beat the c*** out of me.He passed away though he was beaten up for 16 and a 1/2 years.I told them that and they denied me employment.After already giving me the job offer and I downloaded the app.And everything it wasn't fair at all but i'm trying to fight it right now

11w
Like
Reply
Kenny Lyons
Bullet point
Follow

I have a job offer from Walmart, not my dream job but our family business closed down after 27 years so I'm trying to get anything fast. I have a drug related felony conviction from 1999, which is about 26 years ago. I was 18 at the time, I'm 44 now. I'm hearing all different amounts of time that Walmart looks back into your past. Would they really not hire me for an entry level position for a mistake I made as a kid? Seems like that's kinda INSANE. I have a 25 year work history with no gaps whatsoever and was running the factory where I worked for 10 years. If I'm rejected over a mistake from last century, my hopes of employment are grim.

29w
Like
Reply
5
Logan Murphy
Bullet point
Follow

I'm being told by manager they go back 11 years but they brought up past non felony charges from 19 years ago and a felon charge over 8 years ago from Ohio here also seems they can't decide how far back any Walmart goes back too

34w
Like
Reply
1
See all replies
Sherry Allen
Bullet point
Follow

I was “hired” and submitted my info for background check. I had a DUI in 1999 & battery charge (yeah- getting away from my violent ex who had 4 battery charges on me but he was able to charge me back then that I agreed to plead guilty to in order to leave the state & get away from him) but haven’t heard back from them. How long after they receive report does it take? They’ve already said I have the job & im all set up online with my Walmart app- but will this cause me to not be eligible?

35w
Like
Reply
4
See all replies
kristy peek
Bullet point
Follow

So it's a 50 50 if they want you!

42w
Like
Reply
3
Add