Does Orkin Hire Felons?
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Orkin runs strict background checks and reports indicate felonies and certain misdemeanors commonly disqualify applicants. Because technicians enter customers' homes, the bar is high. Older, expunged, or unrelated records may still be worth a conversation.
Orkin is one of the harder pest-control employers for people with felony records. A subsidiary of Rollins, Inc., Orkin employs more than 10,000 people across over 400 branch offices and is an explicitly drug-free employer. Because technicians drive company vehicles and enter customers' homes and businesses unsupervised, Orkin runs thorough criminal background checks — industry reporting and employee accounts describe felony checks going back roughly 10 years, with felonies and certain misdemeanors (especially those involving violence, theft, or drugs) frequently disqualifying applicants. Multiple self-reports on Indeed and Glassdoor say the company does not hire people with felony convictions, though experiences are not fully uniform. This does not mean every applicant with a record is turned away automatically: convictions that are old, expunged or sealed, or clearly unrelated to the job may still be considered, and non-driving support roles can carry a lower bar. Be prepared for a rigorous screen.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pest Control Technician | Difficult — often disqualifying | Yes — criminal + motor vehicle record | Enters homes unsupervised and drives a company vehicle. Felonies commonly disqualify. |
| Termite / Commercial Technician | Difficult — often disqualifying | Yes — criminal + motor vehicle record | In-home and business access. Violent, theft, and drug convictions are the biggest barriers. |
| Sales Inspector | Difficult | Yes — comprehensive check | Customer-facing, commission-based, requires driving. Strict screening. |
| Customer Service / Office Support | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | No in-home access or driving. Generally a lower bar than field roles. |
| Warehouse / Branch Support | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Non-customer-facing. May be the most realistic entry point for people with records. |
Orkin Hiring Practices
Orkin, owned by Rollins, Inc., operates more than 400 branches and employs over 10,000 people. It is a stated drug-free employer and conducts rigorous criminal background checks — industry coverage and employee reports describe felony record checks reaching back about a decade. Because technicians work alone inside customers' homes and businesses and drive company vehicles, Orkin treats convictions involving violence, theft, drugs, or sexual offenses as serious barriers, and numerous self-reports say felonies and certain misdemeanors are disqualifying. Experiences are not perfectly consistent, so a blanket 'no' is not guaranteed for every applicant. Records that are old, expunged, sealed, or plainly unrelated to the work — and roles that do not involve driving or in-home access — offer better odds than a recent felony applying for a field technician position.
Tips for Getting Hired
Apply through Orkin's official careers site at careers.orkin.com. If you have a felony, be realistic: target office, customer-service, or warehouse roles that do not require entering customers' homes or driving. If your conviction is eligible, pursue expungement or record sealing first — a cleared record removes the most common barrier. Always disclose honestly, since an undisclosed conviction found in the background check is worse than the conviction itself. Prepare evidence of rehabilitation: completed programs, steady employment, and references who can vouch for you. Note that Orkin is drug-free, so be ready to pass a drug screen. Individual branch managers have some discretion, so applying to multiple locations can help.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Apply online at careers.orkin.com and search by your location.
- 2.Target office, customer-service, or warehouse roles — field technician jobs carry the strictest screening.
- 3.If eligible, pursue expungement or record sealing before applying — Orkin's checks look back roughly 10 years.
- 4.Disclose your record honestly; a hidden conviction found later is the most-cited reason for rejection.
- 5.Be ready to pass a drug screen — Orkin is a stated drug-free employer.
- 6.Bring documentation of rehabilitation and steady work history, and apply to more than one branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Orkin hire felons?
- Rarely for field roles. Industry reports and employee accounts indicate felonies and certain misdemeanors commonly disqualify applicants, largely because technicians enter customers' homes. Older, expunged, or unrelated records — and non-driving support roles — have better odds.
- Does Orkin do background checks?
- Yes. Orkin runs thorough criminal background checks (reportedly going back about 10 years) plus a motor vehicle record check for driving positions.
- Does Orkin drug test?
- Yes. Orkin is a stated drug-free employer and screens applicants for drugs as part of the hiring process.
- What disqualifies you from being hired at Orkin?
- Felony convictions and certain misdemeanors — especially those involving violence, theft, drugs, or sexual offenses — are frequently disqualifying, as is a poor driving record for positions that require driving.
- Who owns Orkin?
- Orkin is a subsidiary of Rollins, Inc., an Atlanta-based service company whose family of brands employs more than 17,000 people.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Orkin Careers
Official careers site — search and apply for Orkin positions by location.
- National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.
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