Background checks are an important part of the hiring process for many businesses. They are meant to help employers decide who to hire and make sure that the people they do hire are trustworthy, reliable, and qualified for the job. But how do background checks actually work, and what kind of information do they find?

Background check terms can be hard to understand, but you need to know the basics in order to do and review background checks for your organization correctly. Here are 5 background screening terms you should know so you can make sure you are collecting information in line with federal, state, local, and business laws and rules.