# Certn API Documentation - Glossary

> Source: https://centric-api-docs.certn.co/#glossary
> Interactive docs: https://centric-api-docs.certn.co/#glossary

## Glossary

| Term | Definition |
|------|------------|
| **Applicant** | A person who is the subject of one or more background checks. Applicants are always associated with at least one Case. |
| **ATS Integration** | A connection between Certn and an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that enables automated background check triggering and result delivery within your recruiting workflow. |
| **Case** | A collection of one or more Checks that are to be performed on a single Applicant. When you order background checks on an applicant, you create a Case for that applicant. |
| **Check** | An individual verification or background screening that we perform on an Applicant. A Check can be a criminal record check, a credit check, a reference check, etc. Each Check is associated with a Case. |
| **Claim** | Key-value pairs that structure data about the Applicant. Claims are collected as input data and returned as verified output data. |
| **Input Claim** | Claims that are asserted to be true about the Applicant before a background check is performed. |
| **Output Claim** | Claims that are asserted to be true about the applicant by Certn after fulfilling a Check. |
| **Invite** | An invitation email sent to an Applicant, prompting them to complete the information required for their background check. |
| **Package** | A pre-configured set of Checks (with arguments) and tags that can be used to customize and standardize Case ordering. |
| **Quickscreen** | A method available via the Public API that allows clients to run background checks on applicants by providing all required information upfront, without involving the applicant directly in the process. |
| **Check Type Version** | Check type identifiers include a version number suffix (e.g., `_1`, `_2`). When a new version is released (e.g., `IDENTITY_VERIFICATION_2`), your existing integration using the previous version continues to work unchanged. To use new features or improvements, update your `check_types_with_arguments` to the new version when ready. Both versions may coexist during transition periods. |
| **Report** | A PDF document that contains a full summary of all Checks performed on an Applicant within a Case. |
| **Sandbox** | A test environment that mirrors production but uses simulated data. Use sandbox to test your integration without affecting real data. |
| **Trigger Stage** | A configured point in your ATS hiring pipeline at which a background check is automatically initiated. Different packages can be mapped to different trigger stages. |

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## Additional Resources

- [Interactive Documentation](https://centric-api-docs.certn.co)
- [OpenAPI Specification](https://centric-api-docs.certn.co/openapi.yaml)
- [All Reference Docs](https://centric-api-docs.certn.co/reference/)

*Generated from Certn API Documentation*