Self Background Check in Utah (2026): How to See What Employers See

Why Run a Self Background Check in Utah?

Utah's Clean Slate rollout has been one of the largest record-clearing programs in U.S. history, millions of eligible records have already been cleared automatically since February 2022. But Clean Slate is rolling out in waves, and plenty of records that should be expunged still appear in the BCI database. A self-check is the only way to verify.

1. Find and Fix Errors Before Employers See Them

BCI data is pulled from Utah's 29 counties, the Highway Patrol, municipal police departments, and the state court system. Disposition gaps are real, particularly in rural counties. A $20 self-check catches stale "open" cases, identity-match errors, and dispositions that never made it into the state file.

2. Confirm Clean Slate Auto-Expungement Took Effect

This is the most important reason to run a self-check in Utah right now. The Clean Slate Act made eligibility automatic, but the BCI has been processing eligible records in waves since 2022. Running a personal check verifies which of your eligible records have actually been expunged.

3. Prepare for Tech, Healthcare, and Licensed Profession Reviews

Utah's tech sector (Adobe, Goldman Sachs, Qualtrics, Domo), healthcare networks (Intermountain, U of U Health), and licensed professions (nursing, real estate, security) all run fingerprint-based BCI + FBI checks. Knowing what's on your record beforehand is essential.

4. Tenant Screening in Salt Lake City, Provo, and Park City

Utah's tight rental markets, particularly along the Wasatch Front, depend heavily on commercial screening reports built on BCI and court data. Fixing errors at the source produces cleaner reports going forward.

What Shows Up on a Personal Background Check in Utah?

Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions

Felony convictions and most misdemeanor convictions processed in Utah district and justice courts appear on the BCI record unless expunged. The report shows offense, court, conviction date, and sentence.

Arrests

Arrest records, including arrests not leading to conviction, appear on the BCI record. Non-conviction arrests are eligible for expungement, and many qualify for automatic clearance under Clean Slate.

Plea-in-Abeyance Records

Utah's plea-in-abeyance procedure (UCA 77-2a) lets a defendant complete probation without a formal conviction being entered. Successfully completed PIA cases are eligible for expungement.

Pending Charges

Open and pending charges appear on the BCI record. If a case was dismissed and the disposition wasn't transmitted to the BCI, the record may still show "pending" until corrected.

What's Not Included

Federal court records, out-of-state convictions, juvenile records (sealed), most traffic offenses (excluding DUI), and civil cases fall outside the BCI system. A complete personal check usually combines the state report with federal and multi-state sources.

How to Check Your Own Background in Utah

Option 1: BCI Application for Criminal History Record ($20)

Download the BCI Application for Criminal History Record, complete it, and submit it in person at the BCI office in Taylorsville or by mail with a $20 check or money order. Free fingerprinting is available at many Utah law enforcement agencies. Form available. Turnaround is typically 2–4 weeks for mailed requests, same-day for in-person.

Option 2: Fingerprint-Based BCI Check ($20)

For the most accurate record and what licensed professions require, submit fingerprints with the $20 BCI fee. The Western Identification Network (WIN) fingerprint-based search is also $20. Useful for catching aliases and preventing identity-mismatch errors.

Option 3: Search Utah Court Records (XCHANGE)

The Utah Courts XCHANGE system provides public access to district and justice court records. Some basic searches are free; more detailed access requires a subscription. Available.

Option 4: FBI Identity History Summary ($18)

For nationwide coverage based on fingerprints, request an Identity History Summary directly from the FBI.

Utah Background Check Laws You Should Know

Clean Slate Act (UCA 77-40a-201, effective February 10, 2022)

Utah became the second state in the country to implement automatic record-clearing. Eligible offenses are expunged automatically when:

• Class A misdemeanor possession convictions, 7 years without subsequent offense
• Class B and C misdemeanors, 5 years without subsequent offense
• Infractions, 3 years without subsequent offense
• Non-conviction records (acquittals, dismissals), automatic

Excluded offenses: most felonies, violent crimes, sex offenses, DUI, domestic violence offenses, and offenses requiring sex offender registration. The Utah State Courts and BCI process Clean Slate eligibility automatically; no application is required.

Petition-Based Expungement (UCA 77-40a-301 through 77-40a-403)

For records not covered by Clean Slate, Utah allows petition-based expungement. Waiting periods from completion of sentence:

• Most misdemeanors, 3–5 years
• Most felonies, 5–10 years (depending on offense class)
• Drug possession convictions, 4 years

The Certificate of Eligibility is issued by BCI; expungement is then ordered by the court of conviction.

HB 156 (Public-Sector Ban the Box, 2017)

Utah's HB 156 prohibits state and local government employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. The question can be asked later in the hiring process. This applies to public-sector employers only, private employers in Utah can still ask on initial applications.

Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act

Third-party background checks in Utah 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.

Utah Antidiscrimination Act

The Utah Labor Commission enforces state employment laws and follows EEOC individualized-assessment guidance for employer use of conviction records.

Should You Check Your Background Before Applying in Utah?

Yes, particularly because of Clean Slate. If you have any misdemeanor conviction more than 5 years old (Class B/C) or 7 years old (Class A possession), it should already be expunged automatically. Verify it actually was. If anything that should be cleared still appears, the BCI has a correction process. The $20 self-check is the simplest way to confirm what employers and licensing boards will actually see.

FAQs: Self Background Check in Utah

How do I run a self background check in Utah?

The official statewide route is the BCI Application for Criminal History Record: $20 by mail or in-person at the Taylorsville office. For fingerprint-based coverage, $20 through BCI. For broader coverage, search Utah Courts XCHANGE, request an FBI Identity History Summary, or use a professional multi-state service.

How far back do background checks go in Utah?

Utah 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. Clean Slate auto-expungement removes most eligible misdemeanors after 5–7 years.

Will expunged records show up on a Utah background check?

Records expunged under the Clean Slate Act or by court order should be removed from the BCI database and should not appear on FCRA-compliant employer background reports. If you see an expunged record on your self-check, contact the BCI to correct it.

How much does a background check cost in Utah?

BCI name-based check: $20 (effective July 1, 2025). BCI fingerprint-based or WIN check: $20. FBI Identity History Summary: $18. Professional comprehensive multi-state checks: $20 to $80.

Do Utah employers need my permission to run a background check?

Yes, when they use a third-party background check company, the federal FCRA requires written authorization. State and local government employers covered by HB 156 cannot ask about criminal history on initial applications. You always have the right to see any report used in a hiring decision and dispute inaccuracies.