Oregon Background Check Guide · 2025
Tech job at Nike or Intel near Hillsboro, a hospital position at OHSU, a teaching license through TSPC, or a cannabis-industry role in Bend, every one of those involves a background check pulled from the Oregon State Police's Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. The OSP runs the state's official record repository, and they let you request the same record on yourself for $33.
This guide explains how Oregon's record system works, what shows up, and how Senate Bill 397, the 2022 set-aside reform that dramatically expanded eligibility, can clear convictions from your file.
Oregon's hiring environment changed substantially when SB 397 took effect in 2022, thousands of older convictions became eligible for set-aside almost overnight. A self-check is the only way to verify which records are still showing on your CCH and which have already been cleared.
OSP's CCH database aggregates data from Oregon's 36 counties, the Oregon Judicial Department, and dozens of municipal courts. Common errors: cases listed as "active" long after dismissal, charges amended but never updated, and stipulated orders for discharge that weren't transmitted to OSP. Catching these on a $33 self-check is far cheaper than disputing them during a hiring review.
SB 397 expanded eligibility, but set-asides still require a petition filed in the court of conviction, and the resulting order has to make its way to OSP for the record to actually disappear from CCH. Running a self-check 30–60 days after the court grants a set-aside confirms it was actually applied.
Oregon's tech, healthcare, and cannabis industries run thorough background checks. The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) requires fingerprint-based checks for marijuana worker permits. Knowing what's on your record beforehand lets you plan disclosures or seek set-aside first.
Oregon's tight rental markets, especially in Portland and Bend, depend heavily on commercial screening reports. The underlying data comes from OSP CCH and court records. Fixing errors at the source means cleaner reports going forward.
Felony convictions (Classes A, B, C, and unclassified) and most misdemeanor convictions processed in Oregon circuit and municipal courts appear on the OSP CCH record unless set aside under ORS 137.225. The report shows offense, court, conviction date, and sentence.
Arrest records, including arrests not leading to conviction, appear on the OSP CCH record. Under ORS 137.225, arrests that did not result in conviction can be set aside after a 1-year waiting period.
Open and pending charges appear on the CCH record. If a case was dismissed and the disposition wasn't transmitted to OSP, the record may still show "pending" until corrected.
Records set aside under ORS 137.225 should be removed from the OSP CCH report. If you see a set-aside record on your self-check, contact the OSP Open Records Unit to correct it.
Federal court records, out-of-state convictions, juvenile records (sealed), most traffic offenses (excluding DUII), and civil cases fall outside the OSP CCH system. A complete personal check usually combines the state report with federal and multi-state sources.
The fastest official route is the Oregon State Police Open Records portal at openrecords.osp.oregon.gov. Create an account, enter your name and date of birth, pay $33 by credit card, and receive results electronically. The $33 fee applies whether a record is found or not.
If you prefer a paper trail, download the Request for Oregon Criminal History Information form and mail it with a $33 check or money order to OSP in Salem. Turnaround is 2–3 weeks.
The Oregon Judicial Department's OJCIN Online portal at courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/ojcin.aspx provides public access to circuit court records. For Marion, Multnomah, and other participating counties, basic case searches are free.
For a single report combining Oregon CCH data with federal courts, multi-state records, and sex offender registries, a professional service is fastest. Background-Check.com consolidates all of this in one report.
For nationwide coverage based on fingerprints, request an Identity History Summary directly from the FBI. Useful if you've lived or been arrested in multiple states.
Oregon's set-aside statute, dramatically reformed by Senate Bill 397 (effective January 1, 2022). Waiting periods from conviction or release, whichever is later:
Excluded offenses include most Class A felonies, sex offenses, and offenses involving driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII). Set-aside is petition-based, file in the court of conviction.
Oregon's Ban the Box law (ORS 659A.360) applies to nearly all private and public employers. Employers cannot:
Exceptions exist for law enforcement, school districts, and certain regulated industries.
Builds on HB 3025 with additional protections, including requirements for individualized assessment when criminal history is considered, and notice requirements when adverse action is taken based on a criminal record.
Third-party background checks in Oregon are governed by the FCRA: written consent required, pre-adverse-action notice required, right to dispute errors, and 7-year cap on non-conviction reporting.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) enforces state employment laws and follows EEOC individualized-assessment guidance for employer use of conviction records.
Yes, particularly given how much SB 397 expanded set-aside eligibility. If you have any conviction more than 1–3 years old (depending on classification), it may already be eligible for set-aside. If you have any arrest you're not sure was closed, or a set-aside you've never verified at the OSP level, a $33 CCH check is the cheapest way to know exactly what employers will see.
For a comprehensive personal report combining Oregon CCH data with federal records, sex offender registries, and out-of-state convictions, run a multi-source check through Background-Check.com.
The official statewide route is the OSP Open Records portal: $33 per name-based check, electronic results. For free court-record searches, use the Oregon Judicial Department's OJCIN Online portal. For broader coverage, request an FBI Identity History Summary or use a professional multi-state service.
Oregon has no state cap on conviction reporting. The federal FCRA caps non-conviction records (arrests not leading to conviction) at 7 years on third-party employment reports. Set-aside records are removed entirely.
Records set aside under ORS 137.225 should be removed from the OSP CCH database and should not appear on FCRA-compliant employer background reports. Because Oregon set-asides aren't automatic, verify yours was processed by running a self-check after the court order.
OSP Open Records name-based check: $33 (whether record found or not). Court records via OJCIN Online: free for most participating counties. FBI Identity History Summary: $18. Professional comprehensive multi-state checks: $20 to $80.
Yes. The federal FCRA requires written consent for third-party background checks. Oregon's Ban the Box law (HB 3025) also prohibits employers from asking about criminal history before an initial interview or conditional offer. You always have the right to see any report used in a hiring decision and dispute inaccuracies.