When you’re applying for a job, your educational background is one of the key components of your resume. From GEDs and high school diplomas to college degrees and advanced certifications, your academic credentials help potential employers gauge your qualifications. But how much scrutiny do these credentials actually face? Can employers easily verify your degree? What happens if they don’t?
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the myths and facts surrounding degree verification, exploring the methods employers use, how thorough the process is, and whether different types of diplomas (GEDs, high school diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and even doctorate-level qualifications) are subject to the same level of verification.
Do companies actually check your degree? (Short answer)
Many companies do check your degree, especially when a specific qualification is listed as a requirement or the role is higher-level or regulated. Most employers run some kind of background check, and education verification is often part of that process.
Surveys of HR teams suggest that roughly half of employers say they routinely verify education credentials, and that verification is more common in larger organizations, government roles, healthcare, finance, and jobs that require licenses.
That means if you’re wondering “do companies check your degree?” or “how often do employers check degrees?”, the safe assumption is:
- They can verify it easily, and
- They’re more likely to check if your degree is central to the role or something on your resume looks inconsistent.
Myth 1: Employers Don’t Verify Degrees
One of the most common myths is that employers rarely take the time to verify a candidate’s degree, especially for entry-level positions. Many job seekers believe that simply listing a degree on their resume is enough, and that no one will check if it’s real.
Fact:
Employers frequently verify degrees, particularly in competitive industries or higher-level positions. Most large corporations and organizations have processes in place to confirm that candidates hold the qualifications they claim. Even for entry-level roles, employers may verify your educational background, especially if the job requires specific skills or qualifications.
While not every employer will check your degree, it’s increasingly common as companies strive to avoid the costly consequences of hiring someone who has misrepresented their qualifications. In some cases, failing to verify a degree could expose employers to legal liabilities, so many are diligent about this aspect of background checks.
How often do employers actually check degrees?
There’s no single rule for how often employers check degrees, but background investigations are extremely common, and education verification is often part of that.
In practice, employers are most likely to verify your degree when:
- The job posting lists a specific degree as a requirement (for example, “BS in Nursing” or “JD required”).
- The role is in a regulated or licensed field like healthcare, teaching, engineering, or law.
- You’re being hired into a leadership, finance, or security-sensitive role.
- Something about your resume looks inconsistent (timeline gaps, strange school name, unrealistic dates, etc.).
For some entry-level roles and small employers, degrees might only be checked occasionally. But because verification has become easier and cheaper, assuming that “they’ll never check” is a high-risk bet.
Myth 2: All Employers Use the Same Verification Process (How do employers verify college degrees and education?)
Some people assume that all companies use the same process for verifying educational credentials, which may involve calling the institution directly or using a degree verification service.
Fact:
Employers use a variety of methods to verify degrees, and the process can differ significantly from one company to another. Here are the most common ways employers verify academic qualifications:
- Direct Contact with Schools: Some employers may contact the school or university directly to verify whether you graduated and what degree you earned. This can take time, especially if the institution has a large volume of verification requests.
- Third-Party Verification Services: Many larger companies outsource degree verification to specialized background check services. These services have access to databases that quickly verify degrees from accredited institutions.
- Online Degree Databases: Certain educational institutions participate in databases that employers can search to verify degrees. The National Student Clearinghouse, for example, offers a degree verification service that many employers use.
How do employers verify college degrees and education?
Employers usually verify education in a few standard ways. Here’s what they typically use and what it shows.
| Method | What employers do | What it verifies | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct contact with the school | HR or a background check company contacts the registrar or records office by phone, email, or online portal. | Degree earned, dates of attendance, major/field of study, graduation status. | A few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how fast the school responds. |
| Asking you for proof of degree | The employer asks for a copy of your diploma, unofficial transcript, or sealed official transcript. | Confirms the name of the institution, degree title, and graduation date; sometimes GPA or courses. | Same day to a few days, depending on how quickly you can provide documents. |
| Third-party background check service | They use a screening company that specializes in employment checks (education, work history, criminal record, etc.) | Confirms that the degree exists, is from an accredited school, and matches what’s on your resume. | Often within hours or a few days; large employers like this for speed and consistency. |
| Online degree databases | The employer or screening company searches official verification databases that schools participate in. | Degree awarded, dates, and institution, pulled directly from school records. | Usually very fast once they have your consent and details. |
The verification process might differ depending on the level of the degree. For instance, verifying a GED or high school diploma may involve direct communication with local school districts or state education departments, whereas verifying a college degree might involve third-party databases.
Do jobs ask for proof of degree?
Yes, many jobs do ask for proof of degree, especially when the role has a clear education requirement. Employers might ask you for:
- A copy of your diploma for their records
- An unofficial transcript you can download from your student portal
- A sealed official transcript sent directly from the college or university
In some cases, employers will accept documents you provide. In others, they’ll still run their own verification through the school or a third-party background check service to confirm that everything matches.
Myth 3: It’s Difficult for Employers to Verify a GED or High School Diploma
Many job seekers with a GED or high school diploma believe that employers can’t easily verify these credentials, especially if they earned their diploma years ago.
Fact:
Verifying a GED or high school diploma is relatively straightforward for most employers. Here’s how it works:
- GED Verification: If you earned a GED, the state where you took the exam keeps records of your completion. Employers can request a verification from the state’s education department or the testing center where you completed the GED. In some cases, the GED Testing Service also offers a verification service directly.
- High School Diploma Verification: For high school diplomas, employers usually contact the school district where the diploma was issued or use third-party services. If the school has closed or records are no longer easily accessible, the employer may reach out to the local education authority or the state’s education department.
In both cases, while the process may take a bit longer than verifying a college degree, it’s still quite easy for employers to confirm whether you earned a valid GED or high school diploma.
Myth 4: Employers Don’t Care About Fake Degrees
Some job seekers believe that even if they use a fake degree, employers won’t care or won’t be able to detect it.
Fact:
Employers do care about fake degrees, and using one can have serious consequences. In many cases, hiring managers will carefully vet educational credentials, especially if the degree is related to the specific skills required for the job. If an employer discovers that you used a fake degree, it can lead to immediate disqualification from the hiring process, and in extreme cases, it could even lead to legal consequences, such as fraud charges.
Here are a few ways employers spot fake degrees:
- Unaccredited Institutions: Employers often check if the institution that issued the degree is accredited. Degrees from unaccredited schools, diploma mills, or institutions that don’t meet certain educational standards are easily flagged as fake.
- Degree Databases: Many verification services use official databases of accredited institutions. If your degree doesn’t appear in these databases, employers will know something is wrong.
- Inconsistent Dates or Degree Details: Some employers may notice inconsistencies in the dates or details of the degree. If the time it took to complete the degree seems unusually short or the name of the institution seems suspicious, employers may investigate further.
It’s important to understand that using a fake degree could cost you not just the job, but your professional reputation as well.
Myth 5: Employers Verify All Degrees the Same Way
Many people think that regardless of the type of degree (GED, high school diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate) employers verify them all in the same way.
Fact:
The way employers verify your degree often depends on the level of the degree and the requirements of the position. Here’s a breakdown of how different degrees may be verified:
- GED and High School Diplomas: As mentioned earlier, these are usually verified through state departments or school districts. The process can take a bit longer than verifying a college degree, but it’s still straightforward.
- Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees: Employers often use third-party verification services for these degrees. These services have access to databases that store records from accredited institutions, making the verification process quick and efficient.
- Master’s and Doctorate Degrees: Graduate degrees tend to undergo more thorough verification, especially for specialized positions or roles in academia. Employers will likely verify both the institution’s accreditation and the legitimacy of the degree program. In some cases, they may even contact the school to verify your dissertation or thesis details.
Ultimately, the verification process may vary, but higher-level degrees generally receive more scrutiny.
How Long Does the Verification Process Take?
The time it takes to verify a degree can vary depending on the employer’s chosen method. If they are contacting schools directly, the process can take a few days or even weeks, especially if the school is busy or doesn’t handle verifications promptly. For GEDs or high school diplomas, the process might take longer if records are not immediately accessible.
On the other hand, employers using third-party services or databases can verify degrees within hours or even minutes. Large companies often prefer these services because of the efficiency and accuracy they offer.
Understanding Degree Verification and How ValidGrad Can Help
Degree verification is an increasingly common step in the hiring process, and employers have multiple ways to check your educational credentials, whether you have a GED, high school diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or even a graduate degree. The myths surrounding the difficulty of verifying degrees or employers’ indifference to fake degrees simply aren’t true. While some employers may not always verify degrees for every role, more and more companies are taking this step to protect themselves from fraud and ensure they hire the most qualified candidates.
If you need to present a degree or diploma for personal reasons or simply want a replica for professional purposes, ValidGrad offers a wide array of replica GEDs, high school diplomas, college degrees, and more. Our high-quality replicas look authentic and are customized to fit your needs. Whether you’re looking to enhance your personal collection or improve your professional image, ValidGrad has the options to help you feel confident when it comes to your academic credentials.
Visit ValidGrad today to explore our range of replica degrees and diplomas, and take control of how you present your education to the world!
Frequently Asked Questions About Degree Verification
Do companies really check your degree?
Yes. Many employers verify degrees as part of a background check, especially when a specific qualification is required for the role.
How often do employers check degrees?
Roughly half of employers say they routinely verify education credentials, and checks are most common in regulated fields and higher-level roles.
How do employers verify college degrees?
They usually confirm your degree with the school, ask for transcripts or a copy of your diploma, or use third-party background check services that access official records.
Do jobs ask for proof of degree?
Many do. You might be asked for a copy of your diploma or transcript, and some employers also verify your education directly with the institution.