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Missouri Background Check Laws: What Employers Need to Know
Missouri doesn't have a statewide Ban-the-Box law, but several of its major cities have enacted their own, relevant across the state's agriculture, aerospace, and logistics industries, whether you're hiring in Kansas City, St. Louis, or Columbia.
Kansas City
Employers with 6 or more employees can't inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after determining the applicant is otherwise qualified for the position and has been interviewed for it.
St. Louis
Employers with 10 or more employees located within the City of St. Louis can't inquire about criminal history until after determining the applicant is qualified for the position. This applies specifically to employers located in the city; it doesn't extend to out-of-city employers whose staff travel into St. Louis for work.
Columbia
Columbia's fair chance ordinance prohibits employers from inquiring into criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made, a stricter standard than Kansas City's or St. Louis's qualified-applicant standard.
Pass-Through Fees for Missouri Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal county search | No pass-through fee listed for county-level searches in this state |
| Criminal statewide (MO State Highway Patrol Criminal Records & Identification Division) | $14.00 per name-based search, available online or via mailed form |
| Motor vehicle record | $5.88 |
Fees are sourced from 3rd Degree Screening's published fee schedule and are subject to change without notice by the issuing agency.
Common Questions from Missouri Employers
Does Missouri have a statewide Ban-the-Box law?
No. Missouri's Ban-the-Box rules exist only at the city level, in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Columbia, each with its own employee-count threshold and timing standard.
Do Kansas City's rules apply if I'm hiring for a role outside the city?
No. Missouri's local ordinances apply based on where the employer is located, not statewide.
Which Missouri city has the strictest Ban-the-Box standard?
Columbia's, which delays criminal history inquiry until after a conditional offer, later in the process than Kansas City's or St. Louis's qualified-applicant standard.
This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and requirements may change and may vary based on specific facts and circumstances. Users should consult their own qualified legal counsel regarding their specific compliance obligations.
