Does Walmart Hire Felons?

Hiring by Position

Walmart's Hiring Policy for People with Records

Walmart has adopted fair chance hiring practices and does not ask about criminal history on the initial job application. The company follows Ban the Box guidelines and complies with all state and local fair chance hiring laws. After a conditional offer of employment is made, Walmart conducts a background check and uses an individualized assessment process to evaluate any criminal history that appears. This assessment considers three main factors: the nature and gravity of the offense, the amount of time that has passed since the conviction or completion of the sentence, and the nature of the job being sought. Walmart's corporate policy states that a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant. However, the company does exercise discretion, and certain combinations of offense type and position can lead to a rescinded offer. Walmart has faced legal scrutiny in the past regarding its background check practices, which has led to more standardized and transparent processes in recent years.

Background Check Process

Walmart uses Sterling (formerly Sterling Infosystems) as its primary background check provider. The standard check includes a 7-year criminal history search across county, state, and federal records, a Social Security number trace, and a sex offender registry check. For positions involving driving, a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check is also included. The process typically takes 3-5 business days, though it can take longer if records must be retrieved from courts with backlogs. After receiving a conditional offer, you will be asked to consent to the background check. If negative information is found, Walmart is required to send a pre-adverse action notice under the FCRA, giving you an opportunity to review the report and provide additional context or dispute inaccuracies before a final decision is made.

What Disqualifies You from Working at Walmart

Walmart does not publish a specific list of disqualifying offenses, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. However, based on reported experiences, certain convictions are more likely to result in a rescinded offer. Violent felonies (aggravated assault, armed robbery, murder, domestic violence) within the past 7 years are frequently disqualifying, particularly for customer-facing store positions. Sex offenses are generally disqualifying for all positions. Theft, shoplifting, and fraud convictions pose challenges for retail roles where you handle merchandise or money, though older convictions (5+ years) may be acceptable. Drug felonies are assessed based on recency and severity — simple possession charges older than a few years often pass, while trafficking or manufacturing charges receive more scrutiny. For regulated positions like pharmacy tech, state licensing requirements impose additional restrictions beyond Walmart's own policies. Pending charges can delay the hiring process and may result in a rescinded offer.

Walmart Distribution Centers vs. Retail Stores

If you have a criminal record, Walmart distribution centers (DCs) and fulfillment centers are generally considered more accessible than retail store positions. DC roles involve less direct customer interaction, which means convictions related to violence or theft may be viewed differently than they would be for a cashier or sales floor associate. The work is physically demanding — involving loading, unloading, and sorting merchandise — but the pay is typically higher than store-level positions, often starting at $18-22 per hour depending on the location and shift. Walmart operates over 150 distribution centers across the US, so there may be one within commuting distance. The trade-off is that DC shifts are often overnight or early morning, and the work can be intense. But for people with records who are having difficulty getting hired at the store level, distribution centers are worth exploring.

State-Specific Considerations

Your experience applying to Walmart can vary significantly depending on your state and local jurisdiction. In states with strong fair chance hiring laws — such as California (Fair Chance Act), New York (Article 23-A), Illinois (Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act), and New Jersey — Walmart must follow additional procedures before taking adverse action based on a background check. Some cities and counties have even stronger protections. For example, in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, employers must conduct an individualized assessment and provide written justification if they decide not to hire someone based on their record. In states without Ban the Box laws, Walmart still follows its corporate policy of not asking about criminal history until after a conditional offer. However, the legal protections available to you if your offer is rescinded may be more limited. Understanding your state's specific laws can help you know your rights during the Walmart hiring process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Walmart hire felons?

Walmart does hire people with felony convictions, but on a case-by-case basis. They use an individualized assessment that considers the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and relevance to the job. Non-violent felonies that are several years old are the most likely to pass. Theft and violent convictions are more difficult for retail positions but may be acceptable for distribution center roles.

Does Walmart do background checks?

Yes. Walmart conducts background checks through Sterling after a conditional job offer is made. The check covers 7 years of criminal history at county, state, and federal levels, a Social Security trace, and a sex offender registry check. You must consent to the background check before it is run.

How far back does Walmart's background check go?

Walmart's standard background check covers 7 years of criminal history. In states like California and New York, state law also limits consideration to the past 7 years. In some other states, convictions older than 7 years may still appear on the report, but Walmart's individualized assessment process focuses on the factors the EEOC recommends, including time elapsed.

Can I work at Walmart with a theft conviction?

It depends on the position and how recent the conviction is. Theft convictions are particularly relevant for retail positions involving cash handling or merchandise access. An older theft conviction (5+ years) has a better chance of being accepted, especially for non-cashier roles. Distribution center positions may be more accessible. A recent theft or shoplifting conviction will be difficult to overcome for most Walmart store positions.

Does Walmart drug test?

Walmart's drug testing policy varies by position. As of recent policy changes, Walmart has reduced pre-employment drug testing for many entry-level store positions in some markets. However, safety-sensitive roles (such as forklift operators, CDL drivers, and pharmacy technicians) still require pre-employment drug testing. Post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing can apply to any position. Policies may vary by state.

Can I work at Walmart with a DUI?

For non-driving positions (store associate, stocker, cashier), a DUI conviction generally does not disqualify you, especially if it is a misdemeanor and more than a year or two old. For driving positions including CDL truck driver roles, a DUI within the past 3-5 years is likely disqualifying. Multiple DUI convictions are treated more seriously regardless of the role.

What happens if Walmart rescinds my offer after the background check?

If Walmart decides not to hire you based on background check results, they must follow the FCRA adverse action process. You will first receive a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the background check report and a summary of your rights. You typically have 5 business days to respond, dispute inaccuracies, or provide additional context. After this period, if Walmart still decides not to proceed, they will send a final adverse action notice. You have the right to a free copy of the report and can dispute any errors with Sterling.

Is Walmart a Ban the Box employer?

Yes. Walmart does not ask about criminal history on the job application. The background check is conducted only after a conditional offer of employment has been made. Walmart complies with all state and local Ban the Box and fair chance hiring laws, and their corporate policy applies this approach nationwide regardless of whether the local jurisdiction requires it.