In the Las Vegas area, background checks are part of applying for many jobs and most apartments. When a report is wrong, it can cost you the job or the lease. Common errors include another person's criminal record attached by name only, sealed cases that still appear, misdemeanor citations reported as convictions, and one case listed several times.
Nevada limits when local governments can look at criminal history. Under NRS 245.046, a county such as Clark County generally may consider an applicant's criminal history only after the final in-person interview or a conditional job offer, whichever comes first, unless a specific law disqualifies people with that history from the job. Similar rules apply to cities under NRS 268.402. Private employers are not covered by those statutes, but any employer that uses a background check company must follow the FCRA, including giving you a copy of the report before taking adverse action.
Renters denied a unit because of a tenant screening report should receive a notice naming the screening company. You can then get a free copy and dispute errors. FCRA cases against background and tenant screening companies from anywhere in Clark County can be filed in the District of Nevada in Las Vegas.
Where Las Vegas FCRA cases are filed
FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from Las Vegas are heard in one federal district:
- District of NevadaClark County (the whole metro). Courthouses: Las Vegas.Filed with local or cooperating counsel
Our attorneys are licensed in Texas, California, and Georgia. Where they aren't admitted in your local federal court, we work with local or cooperating counsel who are. You may also be able to sue where the company that reported you is based, in a court where our attorneys are admitted:
- Checkr: HQ in N.D. California
- First Advantage and Sterling: HQ in N.D. Georgia
- RealPage: HQ in N.D. Texas
Which court is right depends on your facts. We'll tell you at your free case review.
Local and state rules in Las Vegas
- Nevada limits on county consideration of criminal history (NRS 245.046)
Unless a specific state or federal law disqualifies the applicant, a Nevada county may consider an applicant's criminal history only after the earlier of the final in-person interview or a conditional offer of employment. NRS 268.402 sets similar rules for cities. Read it
State law also applies: see Background Check Error Lawsuits in Nevada.
Common background check errors
- Someone else's criminal or eviction record matched to you by name
- Dismissed, sealed or expunged cases still reported
- Charges reported as convictions, or misdemeanors as felonies
- The same case listed several times
- Eviction filings reported without the dismissal or outcome
Learn how these cases work on our background check lawsuits page, or read our lawsuit guides for Checkr, Sterling, HireRight, First Advantage, RealPage, SafeRent, RentGrow and TransUnion Rental Screening.
Frequently asked questions
Can Clark County or the City of Las Vegas ask about my record on a job application?
Nevada law generally lets counties and cities consider criminal history only after the final in-person interview or a conditional offer. Jobs where a specific law disqualifies certain records are treated differently. These rules apply to public employers, not private companies.
My sealed record appeared on a background check in Las Vegas. Is that a violation?
It may be. A sealed record generally should not be reported. You can dispute it with the background check company and send a copy of the sealing order. Reporting sealed records can show a failure to use reasonable procedures under the FCRA.
A tenant screening report listed an eviction case that was dismissed. What can I do?
You can request your file from the screening company named in the denial notice and dispute the entry. A report that shows an eviction filing without the dismissal can be misleading. If the company does not correct it, you may have an FCRA claim.
How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in Las Vegas?
FCRA deadlines are the same everywhere: generally two years from when you discover the violation, and no more than five years from when it happened (15 U.S.C. § 1681p). Waiting can cost you the claim.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, CBSA delineation files and principal cities (July 2023)
- U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada
- 28 U.S.C. § 108 (Nevada judicial district)
- Nevada Revised Statutes chapter 245 (NRS 245.046)
- Nevada Revised Statutes chapter 268 (NRS 268.402)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681e (accuracy procedures)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681i (reinvestigation of disputes)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681b (employment reports and pre-adverse action notice)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681m (adverse action notices)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681p (where and when to sue)
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.