Terms and Definitions

Background Checks Defined

Terms and definitions

When it comes to the crucial task of recruiting and onboarding new team members, it has become increasingly common for companies to incorporate background checks into their hiring process. These checks serve as a valuable tool for employers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions and select candidates who possess the necessary qualifications and exhibit trustworthiness. However, navigating the complex landscape of employment background checks can be a daunting endeavor, with a multitude of terms and definitions to comprehend. This is precisely where The Screening Source, LLC steps in. With our expertise and comprehensive understanding of the industry, we are here to guide you through the intricacies of background checks, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of the terms and definitions used in the background screening process and can make confident hiring decisions.

Conviction Cases

In determining report-ability for seven-year states, salary exception states, etc., BSA will report 7 years of criminal conviction history from the date of disposition. If readily available prison release date or parole state date will be used. *Active pending cases and open warrants will be reported.

Non-Conviction Cases

We do not report non-convictions. This includes, but is not limited to, dismissed charges/cases, diversion programs, adjudication withheld cases, etc. We reserve the right to make discretionary decisions in regard to reporting. We pride ourselves on being in line with the EEOC’s best-practice guidance, that acts as an advocate for their clients by reporting criminal information they can consider in their hiring decision.

Personal Identifying Information (PII)

Cases will only be reported if a minimum of two (2) PII is available PII is considered: *Name (First, last / first, middle, last) *Full DOB (month, day AND year) *Full address *Social Security Number *Photo of applicant matching the DL or with client confirmation *If any of the above are truncated or not fully available, a third PII will be required for the case to be considered reportable.

Charges

All Felony and Misdemeanor records that are provided and available, within 7-years from date of disposition, prison release date or parole state date, if they are convictions or pending cases. *Traffic can be reported if it is a criminal traffic offense. We will not report ordinance violations or infractions. *Juvenile cases can be reported IF they are available and IF they are actual criminal convictions.

Person Search

Discloses information to help confirm an applicant’s identity. The information will reveal whether the number provided is part of the numbering sequence used by the government and may also indicate the state and approximate year where the number would have been issued. It is not an official confirmation of that applicant’s specific number directly from the government and is not an official review of government records (other than the Death Index, which is included). Also, it includes data from numerous other sources in order to obtain past address (utilities, magazine subscriptions, old credit headers, etc.). Records are assembled and maintained by private sources. The records can have information that is incorrect or incomplete or belongs to another person. The existence of other names or addresses on a social security trace does not necessarily mean a consumer is the victim of identity theft. This search should never be used by itself as the basis to make an employment decision. WARNING: This search may not be used as the basis for an adverse action on an applicant. It should only be used to verify or correct an applicant’s information, or as a tool to further research of public records or other verifications.

Consent Based Social Security Verification (CBSV)

CBSV verifies whether a name and Social Security Number (SSN) combination match the data in SSA’s records. The submitted information is matched against SSA’s Master File of Social Security Numbers (SSNs). The matching elements include Social Security number, name, date of birth and a gender code if available. Each SSN and name combination submitted to CBSV will be returned with a yes or no verification code indicating that the submission either matches or does not match the SSA’s records. If applicable, we will report a death indicator when SSA records reflect that the SSN holder is deceased. Please note that the results obtained from CBSV do not confirm or authenticate “proof of identity.” CBSV requires the written consent of the SSN holder, and the verification results can only be used for the reason which the number holder specifies.

7-Year Unlimited County Criminal Records

Individual county level criminal search on each county lived in for the last seven years of residence history pulled from the Social Security Trace. The most reliable source for complete and up-to-date criminal records searches. Uncovers misdemeanors and felonies within a specific county jurisdiction. Should be used as the baseline of screening of applicants. Additional access fees may apply. A separate cost is incurred for each alias name run. [7-year scope]

County Criminal Records

The most reliable source for complete and up-to-date criminal records searches. Uncovers misdemeanors and felonies within a specific county jurisdiction. Should be used as the baseline of pre-employment screening of applicants. Additional access fees may apply. [7-year scope]

State Criminal Records

A statewide report broadens the search for criminal records by checking multiple counties and looks for criminal records at every available courthouse within that state. This is an ideal expansion to the county criminal search. Available Information may vary from state to state. [7-year scope]

Nationwide Sex Offender Registry 

Search of the National Sex Offender Registry. Single source to search all individual state sex offender registries to provide information on sex offenders that are required to publicly register within their state as sexual/violent offenders. [Active registrants only]

Office of Foreign Asset Control 

Identifies individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers, designated under programs that are not country specific. Collectively, such individuals and companies are called Specially Designated Nationals. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them. [Active registrants only]

Federal Criminal Records 

Federal criminal record search uncovers violations of Federal Laws. Case information from Federal District Courts may reveal cases involving white-collar crimes, fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, capital punishments, kidnapping, illegal sale of firearms, pornographic exploitation of children, drug trafficking. [Available in District or State of Residence, 7-Year Districts of Residence, and Nationwide (All) Districts] [7-year scope]

Nationwide Criminal Database 

Multi-jurisdictional search of millions of state and county records. Database is compiled from counties, department of corrections and administrative courts. Searches for any alias or additional names incur a separate cost for each name ran. All conviction records reported (Hits) will be verified at the county of jurisdiction.*Not recommended as a stand-alone search. [7-year scope]

Global Homeland Security Watchlist Database 

The Global Homeland Security Search (also known as Patriot Act/Terrorist Watch List) is administered by the Office of Foreign Asset Control which enforces economic sanctions programs, primarily against countries and groups of individuals, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers. The sanctions can be either comprehensive or selective, using the blocking of assets and trade restrictions to accomplish foreign policy and national security goals. [Active registrants only]

Employment Verification

A verification specialist will contact each employer to verify employment information reported by the applicant.This report may contact dates of employment, last position held and eligibility for rehire. Client is responsible for obtaining information for order. Additional access fees may apply.

Education Verification

A verification specialist will contact the school, college, university, or other educational institution or agency that granted the degree or certificate. The education verification report may include dates of attendance, degree, major or program, and graduation date, if applicable. Client is responsible for obtaining information for order. Additional access fees may apply.

Personal Reference Verification

A verification specialist will contact each personal reference provided. Report may include the reference’s relationship with the applicant, length of time known, and overall character of applicant. Client is responsible for obtaining information for order.

Professional Reference Verification

A verification specialist will contact each professional reference provided. Report may include the reference’s relationship with the applicant, length of time known, any joint work experiences, and overall character of applicant.Client is responsible for obtaining information for order.

Professional License Verification

Verification of a variety of government-issued professional licenses: nurses, doctors, lawyers, pharmacists ,insurance agents, accountants, architects, and many others. Confirms with the state or federal issuing authority of the applicant’s license, certification or credentials, the date of issue, expiration date and status. Excludes any access fees.

Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) 

A motor vehicle records check provides relevant information for applicants who will drive on the job. Report shows you an applicant’s license class and status, as well as convictions, infractions, and accidents. Excludes any pass- through fees. [7-year scope Maximum, Varies Per State]

Commercial Driver’s License (CDLIS)

Search of database maintained by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to ensure single commercial license issuance nationwide. Enables employers to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements and helps eliminate a candidate who doesn’t hold a valid Commercial Driver’s license.

DOT Employment Verification (Drug, Alcohol, Safety)

Verify information required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) part 391 for driving positions and Department of Transportation (DOT) 49 CFR part 40 for safety-sensitive positions.

PSP Crash and Inspection History

The Pre-Employment Screen Program (PSP) Report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) returns commercial driver’s 5-year crash and 3-year inspection history from the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information Systems (MCMIS).

Employment Credit Report

Pre-Employment Evaluation Reports® (PEER) reports provides information about the applicant’s credit history, including identifying information, public records, outstanding debt, payment history, loans, and mortgages, late payments and defaults, and credit inquiries. Report is provided through TransUnion. This is a soft inquiry to the applicant’s credit. Report does not include FICO score. California requires an additional form.

Bankruptcy Filings 

Provides a search of 94 Federal Districts which reveals Chapter 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 304 bankruptcy filings, giving insight into a candidate’s financial accountability and track record. [10-year scope]

Business Credit Report

Returns information on a company’s key credit scores (with explanations), basic company information (location ,incorporation data, key personnel, sales, etc), corporate linkage (parent, branches, etc), debt and payment trends ,trade payments and legal filings (including tax liens, judgements, and bankruptcies.) Disclosure and Authorization forms are not required to run this report. This is the only search that doesn’t require those forms.

County Civil Records 

Searches a specified county to identify non-criminal suits filed by individuals or corporations, such as product- liability suits, local civil-rights violations, judgements for nonpayment of goods, and litigations related to divorce, marriage, or child custody. Most states divide its lower and upper courts based on the monetary amount of the claim. This search accesses records for cases assigned to and processed in lower and upper courts.Additional access fees may apply. [Upper and Lower Courts for County of Residence or 7-Year Counties of Residence] [7-year scope]

Federal Civil Records 

Access to federal litigation dockets for adjudicated civil cases from all U.S. Federal District courts excluding Alaska,Guam, Idaho, New Mexico and Northern Marianas Islands. For a civil case to be heard in Federal District court, it must involve diversity of citizenship (the parties are citizens of different states or countries). It must involve potential damages of more than $75,000, or there must be a Constitutional or Federal law violation. [Available in District or State of Residence, 7-Year Districts of Residence, and Nationwide (All)Districts] [7-year scope]

MedEx Complete

Incredibly powerful search tool that will provide high quality information on sanction / disciplinary actions taken against individuals and organizations. Our HealthMed Professional search meets all requirements for screening by the Office of Inspector General’s compliance program with information from the following federal sources:

  • OIG (Office of Inspector General)
  • Tri-Care (Previously Known as Champus)
  • GSA (General Services Administration)
  • FDA (Federal Drug Administration)
  • DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)

 

This information is pulled from all state agencies across the 50 states and also includes a Global Report.

International Employment Verification

A verification specialist will contact each employer to verify employment information reported by the applicant.This report may include dates of employment, last position held and eligibility for rehire. Client is responsible for obtaining information for order. International search requirements apply. Additional access fees may apply.

International Education Verification

A verification specialist will contact the school, college, university, or other educational institution or agency that granted the degree or certificate. The education verification report may include dates of attendance, degree, major or program, and graduation date, if applicable. Client is responsible for obtaining information for order. Signed Disclosure and Authorization forms must be received before verification can be initiated. International search requirements apply. Additional access fees may apply.

International Professional Reference Verification

Professional references are interviewed about the length and nature of their relationship.

International Professional License Verification

Contact issuing authority, verify date of issue, expiration date. Excludes any pass-through fees.

International Criminal Records 

Reveals if a candidate has criminal records outside of the United States. This is recommended for contractors who have been overseas for at least two months or applicants who have recently immigrated. Records reported varies by country. [7-year scope]

Tenant Credit Report

Assesses the applicant’s credit history, including identifying information, public records, outstanding debt, payment history, loans, and mortgages, late payments and defaults, and credit inquiries. Also returns the FICO score, an indication of degree of risk used by the financial institutions. Report is provided by TransUnion. This is a hard inquiry to applicant’s credit.

Nationwide Eviction Database 

Detailed search of active filings, writ of possession orders, and financial judgments nationwide. [7-year scope]

Employment Drug Testing

Here is a fact! Substance abuse in the workplace is not going away. So, what do you do as an employer? Implement a drug screening program!  It will help you maintain a drug free workplace and ensure you have the safest work environment filled with the most productive employees

Implementing a drug screening program will help your bottom line

  • Reduce Workplace Accidents
  • Reduce Workers Compensation Claims
  • Reduce Overtime
  • Reduce Sick days
  • Reduce Safety Issues
  • Increase Productivity

Our team can help you achieve this goal with the following testing programs

  • Pre-Employment
  • Post-Accident
  • Random
  • Suspicion

Through our partnerships with eScreen, Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp you will have access to over 7,000 in-network and 3rd party collection sites throughout the country.

FCRA Terms and Definitions: FCRA Compliant Background Checks: An Employer’s Guide | Fair Credit