{"id":11251,"date":"2025-10-23T03:17:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T08:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=11251"},"modified":"2026-02-18T11:34:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:34:52","slug":"job-references-and-blacklisting-laws-by-state","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/recruitment\/job-references-and-blacklisting-laws-by-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Blacklisting and Job References by State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b5fc8583 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8e1436f2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"\">by <strong>Brightmine Editorial Team<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\" class=\"\">Hiring teams face growing complexity when managing job references and avoiding blacklisting risks\u2014and our Fifty state guide to blacklisting and job references gives HR professionals the clarity they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers regularly receive reference requests, but state laws differ significantly on what information can be shared, when service letters are required, and how blacklisting is defined or prohibited. Some states mandate truthful service letters, while others outlaw practices that prevent former employees from securing new roles. Blacklisting\u2014creating or maintaining lists that ensure only negative references are provided\u2014can expose employers to serious legal and reputational risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Our fifty state chart helps HR teams understand these state\u2011specific regulations, navigate defamation risks, and ensure reference\u2011giving practices are both consistent and legally sound. It highlights key employer obligations, prohibited practices, available defenses, and the liability considerations that arise when reference information is incomplete, misleading, or untrue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\" class=\"\">Support safer hiring practices, reduce legal exposure, and strengthen your talent acquisition strategy with our trusted Fifty state guide to blacklisting and job references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;min-height:unset;\" class=\"wp-block-cover is-light has-aspect-ratio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1270\" height=\"730\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-11652 size-full\" alt=\"Screenshot of the Brightmine Fifty State Chart for blacklisting and job-references\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/26084518\/blacklisting-and-job-references-brightmine-fifty-state-chart.webp\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/26084518\/blacklisting-and-job-references-brightmine-fifty-state-chart.webp 1270w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/26084518\/blacklisting-and-job-references-brightmine-fifty-state-chart-300x172.webp 300w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/26084518\/blacklisting-and-job-references-brightmine-fifty-state-chart-1024x589.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/26084518\/blacklisting-and-job-references-brightmine-fifty-state-chart-768x441.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/26084518\/blacklisting-and-job-references-brightmine-fifty-state-chart-450x259.webp 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1270px) 100vw, 1270px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#FFF\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-70f4fdbb wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-80fb368b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);box-shadow:var(--wp--preset--shadow--natural)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to see more?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For full access to <strong>Blacklisting and job references by state<\/strong>, sign up to a HR and Compliance Center subscription today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/us\/quote\/?intcmp=hrcc-migrated-resource|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-1 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0b691c38 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:1rem;padding-top:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Latest updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Updated to reflect repeal of requirements related to service letters in Nebraska, effective July 24, 2020.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get ahead of HR compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Navigating today\u2019s complex HR compliance landscape is challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Get ahead with Brightmine. Access HR resources and automation tools managed by seasoned human HR experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\" class=\"\"><a href=\"\/us\/products\/hr-compliance-center\/#lexisnexis\">Proudly partnered with LexisNexis<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecba6b92 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"166\" height=\"44\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/16090337\/LexisNexis-logo.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9646\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/us\/quote\/?intcmp=cta|blog|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-efae2095 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You may also be interested in&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n<section id=\"resources-search-filter\" class=\"wp-elements-bda9c6ab9e96743c63d16bfd633ad98c wp-block-brightmine-resources-filter has-text-color has-primary-black-color has-background has-primary-white-background-color\">\n\n\n<div class=\"ajax-filter\">\n<div class=\"lnrs-resources-search-filter  editor-posts-filtered-topics \">\n\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_bottom\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_left\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_result_count\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_right\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"loader-container\">\n\t\t<span class=\"loader\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-filter-widget__container\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/recruitment\/how-to-compliantly-extend-a-job-offer\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/16023202\/Handshake-deal-1200x627-1.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Whitepapers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/recruitment\/how-to-compliantly-extend-a-job-offer\/\">How to compliantly extend a job offer<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Discover best practices for extending a job offer compliantly, protecting your business while delivering a positive candidate experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/recruitment\/pay-range-disclosure-for-job-postings-hr-template\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/03231106\/Senior-manager-performance-review-1200x627-1.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Whitepapers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/recruitment\/pay-range-disclosure-for-job-postings-hr-template\/\">Pay range disclosure for job postings &#8211; 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This guide covers what to do, what to avoid, and how to support &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-primary-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-052304f72847d668e66922a9ed6eab25 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/12085517\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-681\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/meet-our-authors\/#brightmine-editorial-team\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"8003\">The Brightmine Editorial Team<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Our in-house team of HR experts carefully monitors and updates the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/products\/hr-compliance-center\/\">Brightmine HR &amp; Compliance Center<\/a>, the most comprehensive library of employment law and HR resources. This team has an unrivaled wealth of subject matter expertise, with an average of 15 years&#8217; experience. They also bring invaluable, diverse career experiences to the table\u2014the team includes seasoned employment law attorneys, former in-house counsel, SHRM certified professionals and career employment law editors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In addition to managing the HR &amp; Compliance Center, the Editorial Team supports the content across the Brightmine product portfolio. The Team also supports Marketing Resource Center with breaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/category\/hr-news\/\">HR news<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/category\/c-and-i\/\">Commentary and Insights<\/a>, and expert review of key compliance resources, such as our free charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Follow Brightmine on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/brightmine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bbb7e64f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Want to learn more?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">Sign up for a FREE 7 day trial and access subscriber-only articles and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-primary-white-color has-secondary-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/hrcenter.us.brightmine.com\/freetrial-login\/?loggedInUrl=%2Ffreetrial%2Fnew-user%2F&amp;registrationUrl=%2Ffreetrial%2Fnew-user%2F&amp;intcmp=hrcc-resources|cta-2-col|light|banner|hrcenterus-freetrial|register-now\" style=\"border-radius:26px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Register now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand state laws on blacklisting and job references with our Fifty State Guide\u2014essential insights for HR teams managing risk and consistent hiring practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":11270,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-new-resources","categories":[15],"tags":[119],"topic":[21,77],"class_list":["post-11251","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-charts","tag-50-state-chart","topic-recruitment","topic-state-compliance"],"_lnrs_read_more":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Blacklisting and Job References by State | Brightmine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Protect your organization from liability with our 50\u2011state guide to blacklisting and job reference laws. 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