How should businesses verify employee eligibility to work?

Verifying Employee Eligibility to Work in Nevada

Businesses operating in Nevada must verify that all new hires are legally authorized to work in the United States. This process is critical for compliance with federal and state employment regulations and helps avoid penalties.

Steps to Verify Employee Work Eligibility

• Complete Form I-9: Employers must have each new employee complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 within three business days of hire. This form confirms the employee’s identity and eligibility to work.
• Review Acceptable Documents: Employees must present original documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents on the Form I-9, such as a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or driver’s license combined with a Social Security card.
• Retain Form I-9: Maintain completed I-9 forms for all employees for at least three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. Proper recordkeeping supports compliance audits.
• Use E-Verify (Optional but Recommended): Nevada employers can voluntarily enroll in the federal E-Verify system to electronically confirm employment eligibility. This system compares employee information against government databases for faster verification.
• Train HR and Hiring Staff: Ensure personnel responsible for hiring understand I-9 requirements, document review, and deadlines to prevent errors and fines.

Additional Operational Considerations

• Employee Classification: Correctly classify workers as employees or independent contractors before completing eligibility verification to avoid misclassification issues.
• Payroll Integration: Link eligibility verification with payroll systems to ensure only authorized employees are paid and reported.
• Compliance Monitoring: Regularly audit I-9 forms and related records to identify and correct compliance gaps.
• State Licensing and Permits: Some Nevada industries require additional licensing or permits tied to employee eligibility; verify these requirements during hiring.

As of 2026, these practices align with federal and Nevada state requirements and support smooth, compliant hiring operations.