CSLB Contractor's Law & Business Practice Exam

What is the protocol for prospective employees who forget their Social Security card?

1. Memorized Social Security numbers suffice

2. They must submit a written application

3. The actual Social Security card should be inspected

4. They can provide alternate forms of ID

The correct answer is: The actual Social Security card should be inspected

The requirement for prospective employees to present their Social Security card is primarily founded on the obligation for employers to verify an individual's eligibility to work in the United States, as mandated by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Inspecting the actual Social Security card provides employers with confidence in the legitimacy of the Social Security number assigned to the employee. When individuals present their Social Security card, it fulfills the verification process by demonstrating not only that the provided number corresponds to an official government-issued identity, but also that the individual is indeed who they claim to be. This step is crucial for maintaining compliance with immigration and labor regulations. While memorized Social Security numbers or alternate forms of ID may offer some level of identification, these do not fulfill the legal requirement to verify employment eligibility as effectively as producing the actual Social Security card. Written applications may pertain to job applications but do not replace the necessity of presenting a valid Social Security card for employment verification purposes.