Does Best Buy hire felons? Yes. Felons can apply for a job at Best Buy and expect to receive a fair evaluation. The company is part of a second chance initiative and having a felony on your record isn’t an automatic barrier to employment.
In this article, we’ll answer the most common questions felons have about the hiring process at Best Buy.
Does Best Buy Hire Felons in 2025?
Best Buy hires felons on a case-by-case basis. Having a felony on your record won’t lead to automatic disqualification, but the company has to be satisfied that you don’t pose a risk to their staff or their customers.
And since Best Buy sells high-ticket items, they won’t employ anyone who is likely to steal from them.
Best Buy is a member of the Second Chance Business Coalition. This organization aims to remove employment barriers and create opportunities for individuals with criminal records.
As a member of the coalition, Best Buy has made a commitment to operate fair hiring practices that don’t unfairly discriminate against people with criminal backgrounds.
Has Best Buy Hired Felons In The Past?
Employees sharing information online state that Best Buy has hired felons in the past and continues to do so.
The company doesn’t make its hiring policies public, but based on employee reports and Best Buy’s membership in a second chance organization, you won’t be wasting your time if you make an application.
You may find it harder to secure a job with a very recent offense, though, because you won’t be able to show any longer-term evidence of rehabilitation.
Does Best Buy Do Background Checks?
All applicants will need to undergo a background check. The background check takes place once the interview process is complete and Best Buy has decided to hire you.
Along with your conditional job offer, you’ll receive the instructions and consent form for your background check. Keep an eye on your email so you don’t miss this information because you only have a short period to submit your details.
The background check will confirm your identity and right to work, verify your employment history and education record, and check state and national criminal records databases.
If you’ve applied for a delivery driver job or a Geek Squad position, your driving record will also be checked.
Expect the background check to go back at least 7 years.
Some states limit background checks to 7 years, and if you live in one of the following states, older felony records should be off limits to background check agencies.
- California
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- Texas
- Washington
It’s still possible for a felony to be discovered in some of these states, though, because prison release dates and parole dates within the last 7 years could be included. It all depends on the scope of the law in your state.
Background checks usually take between 2 days and 2 weeks to come back. Longer waiting times are normal when Best Buy has a lot of background checks to work through during their busy season.
If your background check uncovers disqualifying information, you’ll be given an opportunity to show that you’re rehabilitated.
Then you should provide evidence of volunteer work, qualifications and training you’ve received, character references, and drug rehab completion if applicable.
What Kind Of Felony Offenses Is Disqualifying?
All employers have to be mindful of negligent hiring laws and the lawsuits that can arise if they don’t screen out dangerous individuals. This is why it’s often difficult to find work if your felony involves violence or a sexual offense.
As a retailer, Best Buy has to provide a safe environment for staff and customers, so violent offenses and offenses of a sexual nature will often be disqualifying.
Other offenses that will be a problem are theft and fraud. Employee theft is a huge problem in retail, and companies don’t want to employ thieves.
If you’ve applied for a driving job, a DUI on your record will probably be disqualified, as will certain other driving violations.
Does Best Buy Warehouse Hire Felons?
At Best Buy there are two kinds of warehouses. The back of the store warehouse and the distribution center.
Felons can apply for jobs in both, but if you don’t want to interact with customers, a job at a distribution center will be a better option for you.
At Best Buy stores, warehouse associates are expected to help out on the sales floor during busy periods which means you’ll be cross-trained so you can fill in wherever you’re needed.
Can A Felon Work For Best Buy’s Geek Squad?
Best Buy hires two kinds of Geek Squad employees. Those that have a store-based role and those that visit customer homes to carry our installations and repairs.
For a store-based position, your application will be treated in the same way as an application for any other position in the store.
But individuals who will be entering customer homes are given closer scrutiny, and having a felony on your record could make it less likely that you’ll be hired.
Can A Felon Get A Seasonal Job At Best Buy?
Best Buy hires seasonal workers to cover the busy period over the Holidays. Positions are part-time, and seasonal workers are subject to the same background checks as permanent employees.
Seasonal workers don’t get a guaranteed number of hours, so if you’re hired, it’s a good idea to keep applying for other jobs.
Does Best Buy Do Pre-Employment Drug Tests?
Some positions at Best Buy require a pre-employment drug test, but most don’t.
Drug tests are usually required for positions at Best Buy distribution centers because warehouses are dangerous places and safety has to be a top priority. You may also need to pass a drug test if you apply to work in the store warehouse.
If you apply for a Geek Squad position, you’ll be asked to take a drug test if you’ll be visiting customers’ homes.
Quick Recap
Best Buy is willing to hire felons, and they’re part of the Second Chance Business Coalition. When you apply for a position at Best Buy, your felony won’t mean automatic disqualification and you’ll be evaluated based on your qualifications and experience.
All applicants have to undergo a background check and if Best Buy feels that your felony is incompatible with the needs of the company then you won’t be hired.
Recent Entry: Does Coca Cola Hire Convicted Felons?

Robert Eric (a lover of Cats and Dogs) is the co-founder of HireFelonsJobs. In our search for a better life, after… A platform was created for the purpose of easing the search for ex-convicts.