What does 'pending' mean on my background check status?

Seeing "pending" on your background check status can feel like waiting for test results—you know something is happening, but you're not sure what. Don't worry—"pending" is completely normal and simply means your background check is actively being processed. Let's break down what each status means and what you can expect during the process.

Understanding Background Check Status Indicators

Your background check moves through several status phases as we complete different components. Here's what each status means:

Pending

What it means: Your background check is actively in progress
What's happening: We're waiting for results from courts, employers, schools, or other verification sources
Your role: Nothing—just wait for the process to complete

Complete Clear

What it means: Your background check is finished with no disqualifying findings
What's happening: All searches returned clean results
Your role: Celebrate—this is the "good" indicator you want to see

Complete Hits

What it means: Your background check is finished, but we found information that requires review
What's happening: We discovered records that need to be evaluated by your employer
Your role: Be prepared to discuss findings with your employer if necessary

What Happens During Pending Status

When your background check shows "pending," here's what's actually happening behind the scenes:

Active Investigation Components:

Court searches: We're waiting for criminal records from various jurisdictions
Employment verification: HR departments are confirming your work history
Education verification: Schools are validating your degrees and attendance
Professional licenses: Licensing boards are confirming your credentials
Database searches: Automated systems are scanning multiple record sources

What You Should Do During Pending Status:

Nothing specific is required from you
Stay reachable in case we need clarification
Check your email for any requests for additional information
Be patient while verification sources respond

What You Shouldn't Do:

Don't contact verification sources directly (employers, schools, courts)
Don't assume something is wrong just because it's taking time
Don't panic if the status doesn't change daily
Don't bombard us with calls unless it's been over a week

How Long Each Status Typically Lasts

Pending Status Duration:

Typical timeframe: 1-2 business days
Most common: Less than 48 hours
CIChecked average: 1.5 days overall completion time
88% of our checks: Complete within one day

Factors That Affect Timing:

Fast-Processing Components (Same Day):

Automated database searches
Digital court records
Electronic employment verification
Online education verification

Slower-Processing Components (1-3 Days):

Manual court record searches
Phone-based employment verification
Written education verification requests
Professional license confirmations

Potential Delays (3-5 Days):

Rural court systems with limited staff
Companies with slow HR response times
Schools during break periods
International verification requirements

When Different Status Changes Occur

Pending → Complete Clear:

Timeframe: Usually 1-2 business days
What happened: All searches returned clean results
Next steps: Your employer receives the clear report

Pending → Complete Hits:

Timeframe: Usually 1-2 business days
What happened: We found records that need employer review
Next steps: Your employer evaluates the findings

Pending → Still Pending:

After 2-3 days: Normal for complex cases
After 4-5 days: Likely waiting on slow verification sources
After 1 week: Time to follow up with us

What Causes Extended Pending Status

Common Reasons for Delays:

Court-Related Issues:

Holiday closures: Courts closed for federal/state holidays
Staffing shortages: Limited personnel to process record requests
Manual searches: Older records requiring physical file review
System downtime: Technical issues with court databases

Employment Verification Delays:

HR non-responsiveness: Companies slow to return verification calls
Closed businesses: Employers that have shut down or merged
Written-only policies: Companies requiring formal written requests
Outsourced verification: Third-party HR services adding extra steps

Education Verification Delays:

Academic breaks: Schools with limited staff during vacations
Registrar backlogs: High volume of verification requests
International schools: Foreign institutions with different processes
Older records: Degrees from decades ago requiring archive searches

Geographic Complications:

Rural jurisdictions: Smaller courts with slower processing
Multiple states: Each jurisdiction has different timelines
International components: Foreign background checks take longer

When to Be Concerned

Normal Timeframes (Don't Worry):

1-2 days: Standard processing time
3-4 days: Still within normal range for complex cases
5-6 days: Acceptable for multi-state or international components

Time to Follow Up:

After 1 week: Contact us for a status update
After 2 weeks: Something may be stuck and needs investigation
Before a deadline: Call us if you have an urgent start date

The Bottom Line

"Pending" status is a normal part of the background check process that indicates active investigation is underway. Most background checks move through pending status quickly and complete within our 1.5-day average timeframe.

Key Takeaways:

Pending means progress is being made on your background check
1-2 days is typical for most background checks to complete
No action required from you during pending status
Follow up after one week if status hasn't changed
Extended pending doesn't mean bad news—just thorough investigation

Need a status update? Call us at (518) 271-7546. We answer 98% of calls on the first ring and can provide real-time updates on your background check progress.

Remember: thoroughness takes time, but it ensures accuracy. We'd rather deliver complete, accurate results than rush incomplete information that could cause problems later.