Why We Built a Glossary of Background Check & Drug Testing Terms
- UNIQUE BACKGROUND SOLUTIONS
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
After more than 20 years in the background screening and drug testing industry, we’ve learned something important:
Most compliance issues don’t start with bad intent.
They start with confusion.
Terms like adverse action, permissible purpose, return-to-duty, random testing, or consumer report get used every day in HR, safety, and compliance conversations. The challenge is that not everyone is always using those terms the same way — and in a regulated environment, definitions matter.
The Language of Screening Isn’t Always Clear
Background checks and drug testing have a language of their own. Some terms come from federal regulations like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) or DOT regulations. Others vary by state, industry, or employer policy.
We regularly speak with employers who are trying to do the right thing but say things like:
“I thought that meant the same thing.”
“We didn’t realize there was a difference.”
“That’s not how it was explained to us before.”
Those gaps in understanding can lead to compliance missteps, delays, or unnecessary frustration for employers, applicants, and volunteers alike.
Why We Created the Glossary
We built our Glossary of Background Check, Drug Testing, and Compliance Terms to serve as a clear, practical reference — not legal jargon and not marketing fluff.
Our goal is simple:
To help employers better understand the screening process
To provide clarity around commonly misunderstood terms
To support compliance through education
To give applicants and volunteers transparency into what these terms actually mean
This glossary reflects the real-world questions we’ve heard over two decades of working with businesses, nonprofits, and regulated industries.
A Resource You Can Actually Use
The glossary is organized A–Z and covers topics including:
Background check terminology
Drug and alcohol testing programs
DOT and non-DOT testing terms
FCRA compliance language
Volunteer and ongoing screening concepts
It’s designed to be something you can bookmark, share with your team, or reference when questions come up — without having to dig through regulations or guess at definitions.
Education Is Part of Compliance
At Unique Background Solutions, we believe that education is one of the most effective tools for staying compliant. When everyone involved understands the terminology, the process runs smoother and decisions are made with more confidence.
We encourage employers, volunteers, and applicants to explore the glossary and use it as a resource.
If you have questions about how any of these terms apply specifically to your organization, we’re always happy to talk through them.