Ban-the-box and offer-first

Fair-chance rules change when you may ask about records, not whether a report can ever be used.

Module 1 of 7 · 8 min read

Fair-chance or 'ban-the-box' rules limit when an employer may ask about criminal history. Many of them require a conditional job offer before a background inquiry. They sit on top of the FCRA, not instead of it. This lesson is educational and is not legal advice. It is not a map of every city ordinance in the United States.

PreHireBadge Academy courses are free and educational. Completing a course or earning a certificate is not legal advice, not a professional license, and not a legal credential. Laws change. Read the cited sources and ask a qualified attorney about your own hiring decision.

Federal consumer-report rules still apply
Federal equal employment opportunity law still applies
A state or city can add an earlier gate: no inquiry until an offer

Check your understanding

Do fair-chance rules replace the FCRA?

Yes. A city ordinance ends the FCRA.No. They add limits on when you may ask, on top of the FCRA.