Requirements for background checks

There are two types of background checks:

• Standard background check
• Extended background check

The type required depends on the position you will hold or the level of access you need.

Documentation requirements 

You must document the last five years, with no gaps in your timeline.

The following applies to both types of background checks:

• Police certificate from all countries where you have resided for more than 6 months during the last 5 years
• Approved record of conduct in accordance with the regulations
• Documentation of your activities during the last 5 years (employment, education and/or unemployment)

For an extended background check, the following is additionally required:

• Continuous residence in Norway or another EU/EEA country during the last 5 years

Below is an overview of what is considered valid documentation.

Valid Documentation

Employment

All employment carried out in Norway will normally appear automatically in the application form, as the information is retrieved from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) Employee Register.

If the employment is registered in NAV’s records, you do not need to provide additional documentation.

If the employment does not appear, you must register it manually and upload documentation, for example:

• Employment contract (start date must be specified)
• Employment confirmation (employment period must be specified)
• Extract from NAV or employment agency
  
  

Education

Documentation is not required for lower secondary school.

For other education, the following applies:

• Upper secondary school: diploma/certificate or screenshot from vigo.no (school name and academic year must be visible)
• Folk high school: diploma or confirmation from the school
• Higher education: diploma, degree certificate, transcript from the Diploma Registry (Vitnemålsportalen) or admission documentation
  
  

Unemployment

Periods of unemployment may be documented by:

• Decision letter from NAV
• Benefit reporting history
• Annual statement
  
  

Missing documentation

If you are unable to provide documentation for certain periods, you may submit a self-declaration.

The self-declaration must describe the relevant period, and the document must include a handwritten (physical) signature from a witness.

The witness may be:

• A family member
• A friend
• An employer
• A representative from a public authority