Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, and Beyond: Which Background Checks Are Most Common in the Trades?

You probably already screen employees to some capacity, but maybe you want to know how you stack up against your industry peers. In this article, we will break down recent trends and leverage data from several hundred employers across different industry categories where trade roles are the most common to give you the answers you are looking for.  

Almost all employers screen for county criminal history, including for trade roles

While the types of background checks employers order can change over time, one thing stays the same: almost every employer relies on a County Criminal Search.

Why? Simply put, county courthouses are the original source of most criminal records. While other sources play a critical role in helping employers identify where they can look for potential records, county searches typically provide the most current and complete information directly from the record source.

Employers are expected to take reasonable steps in conducting due diligence, which typically includes checking county criminal records before expanding the search for other relevant records. County searches deliver clear, detailed information about what happened in a case and how it was resolved, helping employers identify potentially risky hires based on accurate, up-to-date information.

A breakdown of different trade-heavy industries throughout 2025

Along with checking county criminal records, drug testing is also a key part of screening for many employers in industries with a high volume of trade roles. Trades often deal with heavy machinery, vehicles, tools, and environments where impairment is more likely to be a direct cause of serious injuries or even death. In addition to job safety concerns, many trade roles carry legal requirements that scale with the level of risk involved. For example, electricians may require a license verification, and commercial driving roles often require driving record searches. We are also seeing more employers layer searches that go beyond minimal legal requirements, leveraging screening as a tool to proactively facilitate a safer and more productive work environment.

While we cover more data and stats in our 2025 Background Screening Trends Report for other industries with a high volume of trade roles, below is an overview of three categories where trade roles are the most common: construction, manufacturing, and utilities.

 Construction

Of the three categories, construction had the highest percentage of employers ordering a Driving Record Search across all companies observed (58%). Here’s a quick look at the most common background checks for different trade roles in construction:

1: Welders

• Criminal background checks (varies by site)
• Drug testing (especially for industrial or energy projects)
• Safety certification verification

2: Carpenters

• Criminal background checks
• Drug testing
• Site-specific clearance for commercial or government projects

3: Truck Drivers & Heavy Equipment Operators

• Criminal background checks
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks
• Drug and alcohol testing (especially DOT-regulated roles)
• Medical certification verification

Utilities

All three industries rely heavily on criminal background checks, especially County Criminal Searches. Manufacturing stands out, with 96% of employers ordering county searches and 69% ordering an additional layer of statewide searches. Manufacturing also leads in National Sex Offender Registry Searches.

Below are some of the most common background check types employers in the utility industry order by trade.

1: Electricians

• Criminal background checks
• License verification
• Drug testing
• Background checks for work in schools, hospitals, or government buildings

2: Plumbers

• Criminal background checks
• License and bonding verification
• Background checks for residential access
• Drug testing (varies by employer and state regulations)

3: HVAC Technicians

• Criminal background checks
• Drug screening
• Driving record checks (company vehicles)
• Certification verification (EPA, trade licenses)

Manufacturing

Most criminal search types were nearly tied with utilities, with the manufacturing industry coming in a close second. The manufacturing industry had the highest percentage of employers who ordered National Federal Criminal Searches (87%). But like every other category, manufacturing isn’t one-size-fits-all across roles. Here are some of the most common background check types for trade roles across the manufacturing industry:

1: Production and assembly workers

• Criminal background checks
• Identity verification
• Drug screening

2: CNC machinists and machine operators

• Criminal background checks
• Employment verification
• Drug screening

3: Industrial welders and fabricators

• Criminal background checks
• Employment or certification verification
• Drug screening

4: Maintenance mechanics

• Criminal background checks
• Identity verification
• Drug screening
• Background checks for access to secured areas

5: Quality control and inspection technicians

• Criminal background checks
• Employment and education verification
• Identity verification

5: Forklift operators and material handlers

• Criminal background checks
• Identity verification
• Drug screening

6: Industrial electricians and automation technicians

• Criminal background checks
• Employment or license verification
• Identity verification
• Drug screening

Below is a heat map showing order volume across the three industries above. For more information on how employers are screening in your industry, the value of different search types, and screening trends for other industries where trade roles are common, such as transportation and leisure, take a look at our 2025 Background Screening Trends Report.

What works for one business may not work for another

While certain industries and roles see a much higher volume of search types, search criteria, and verifications, these can vary significantly within each industry based on state-level laws and specific role needs. We understand that every employer’s needs are unique. Verified Credentials offers screening packages for various industries, but we also offer custom screening packages that employers can deploy with just a few clicks for highly specialized roles, too.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to our team for a quick consultation to see how we can help you meet unique screening needs.

The content above is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your legal counsel to determine your organization's background screening compliance requirements.