Reference

Screening glossary

The background check terms employers and candidates come across most, in plain English.

A

Adjudication: The employer's review of a completed report and its decision about the candidate. In eScreenly, adjudicators record a decision of Engaged or Not engaged.
Adverse action: A decision that negatively affects a candidate or employee, such as not hiring them, based in whole or in part on a background check. The FCRA requires specific notices first.
Authorization: The candidate's written permission for the employer to obtain a consumer report. eScreenly collects it as an e-signature after the candidate reviews the disclosure.

Ban-the-box: Laws that stop employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. See fair-chance laws.

Clear: An eScreenly result meaning no reportable records were found in any screening in the report.
Conditional offer: A job offer that depends on the candidate passing a background check. Some fair-chance laws allow criminal checks only after one is made.
Consider: An eScreenly result meaning at least one screening found reportable records for the employer to review. It is not a hiring decision.
Consumer report: Information about a person from a consumer reporting agency used for purposes such as employment, including background checks. Regulated by the FCRA.
Consumer reporting agency (CRA): A company that assembles consumer reports for others, such as eScreenly. CRAs must follow reasonable procedures for accuracy and handle disputes.
County criminal search: A search of court records in the counties where a candidate has lived, often the most direct source for criminal records.

Disclosure: The notice telling a candidate that a background check may be obtained for employment purposes. Under the FCRA it must be clear, conspicuous and in a document on its own.
Dispute: A candidate's challenge to information in their report that they believe is incomplete or inaccurate. The consumer reporting agency must reinvestigate, generally within 30 days.

Education verification: Confirmation of a candidate's degrees, institutions and dates of attendance with the school or its records provider.
Employment verification: Confirmation of a candidate's previous employers, job titles and dates of employment.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): The federal law that governs consumer reports, including employment background checks: how they're requested, how accurate they must be and what candidates are told.
Fair-chance laws: State and local laws that limit when and how employers can consider criminal history, for example only after a conditional offer or an individualized assessment.

Identity verification: Confirming a candidate is who they say they are. At eScreenly, a specialist compares their photo ID, Social Security card and selfie with the details they entered.
Individualized assessment: A case-by-case review of a criminal record's relevance to a job, considering factors such as the nature of the offense, time passed and the job's duties. Recommended by the EEOC and required by some laws.
Investigative consumer report: A consumer report that includes information from personal interviews, such as reference checks. It carries additional disclosure requirements.

Motor vehicle record (MVR): A driving record from a state DMV showing license status, driving history and violations.

National criminal search: A search of multi-state criminal databases, watchlists and sanctions lists. Useful for breadth, usually confirmed with county records.

Package: A set of screenings ordered together, such as an SSN trace with national and county criminal searches.
Permissible purpose: A reason the FCRA allows for obtaining a consumer report, such as employment decisions. Employers certify theirs before ordering.
Pre-adverse action notice: The notice an employer sends before taking adverse action, with a copy of the report and A Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA, giving the candidate time to respond.

Sex offender registry search: A search of public sex offender registries, including the National Sex Offender Public Website.
SSN trace: A check that validates a Social Security number and surfaces the names and addresses associated with it, used to guide other searches.
Summary of Rights: A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the CFPB document candidates receive with the disclosure and before adverse action.

Apply for an employer account in a few minutes. We'll review it and email you when you can start ordering.