Missouri background check laws
A practitioner-grade reference to Missouri pre-employment background screening: lookback caps, ban-the-box scope, salary-history limits, cannabis testing rules, and the statutes the SafestHires compliance team applies on every order routed to MO.
The four levers at a glance
| Lookback period | 7 years (FCRA default) |
| Ban-the-Box scope | Public sector + Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis |
| Salary history | Kansas City ordinance |
| Cannabis testing | Recreational legal (2022); off-duty protection for medical patients |
Lookback period
Missouri applies FCRA. Expunged records under RSMo §610.140 must be suppressed.
Ban-the-Box and Fair Chance rules
Governor's 2016 executive order covers state agencies; Kansas City (private 6+), Columbia, and St. Louis have local private-employer rules.
Salary history
Kansas City prohibits salary-history inquiries for private employers; no statewide rule.
Cannabis & drug testing
Amendment 3 legalized adult use and continues medical patient protections under RSMo §195.815.
Governing statutes & references
- RSMo §610.140
- Amendment 3 (2022)
- RSMo §195.815
SafestHires compliance note
Local ordinances stack on the state rule — confirm work location before pulling.
City-level overlays in Missouri
The following city or county ordinances impose additional fair-chance, ban-the-box, or individualized-assessment duties on top of Missouri state law. Click through for covered-employer thresholds, timing, adverse-action workflows, and enforcement details.
- Kansas CityKansas City Ban the Box Ordinance (Ord. 180034, Code §38-104)
- St. LouisSt. Louis Ban the Box Ordinance (Ord. 71074)