The Difference Between Background Checks & Vetting Checks

The vetting process can be more intense than a simple background check.

Although used interchangeably, background checks and vetting checks are two different things. Background checks are usually restricted to individuals and deal with educational, military, medical, criminal and financial records. The vetting process includes background checks and a great deal more information. In addition, you can use the vetting process on more than just individuals.

History

The term "vetting" dates back to the 17th century. The first uses of it came from the world of horseracing. Before anyone bought a horse, he wanted a veterinarian to examine the animal. From there, it simply became "vetting," and it refers to a kind of thorough examination.

Background Checks

Background checks are part of the vetting process. Before a company hires a new employee, it might decide to hire an agency to run a background check. However, a background check is sometimes not enough. The higher the job position, the more thoroughly the candidate should be examined, and that might require going beyond a simple background check.

Vetting

Vetting is not restricted to individuals. When an editor receives a piece of copy for a newspaper or magazine, for example, a fact-checker usually examines the article to verify the sources and the content. This is "vetting the article." In addition, businesses can undergo vet checks. These vet checks treat the business as an individual to determine financial health.

Political

You can see the extent of the vetting process more clearly in the political arena. When the Obama administration first considered Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan for a seat on the court, she received a 202-page questionnaire as part of the vetting process. This is yet another example of the difference between vetting and a background check. In politics, vetting is a tremendous part of all political appointments and judicial nominations. In-depth investigations take place to bring potential embarrassing information to light.

Privacy

Another difference between vetting checks and background checks is vetting can take place without the person's approval. For a background check, the individual must grant permission for release of education, military service and medical records. Of course, investigators must have permission to access these records for the background portion of the vetting process, too. Vetting mostly takes place using public documents and databases.

References

• Workforce Management: Vetting a Candidate's Past
• Slate: Vetting Vet
• Entrepreneur: Vetting the Viability of Vendors
• Huffington Post: Kagan Questionnaire Reveals Vetting Process, Net Worth, Sports Writing Past
• The Washington Post: Potential Obama Appointees Face Extensive Vetting