Unique Background Solutions

06/09/2026

Unique Background Solutions President, Michael Barnes, opens his ASSP Safety '26 session next week with one question and no answer:

What does a positive ma*****na drug test actually prove in 2026?

The answer is more complicated than most safety managers expect, and a new blog post breaks down exactly why, from legal states to Wild West states where hemp-derived THC products are legal to purchase but will still fail a standard workplace drug test.

Michael will be presenting on this topic at American Society of Safety Professionals Safety '26 in Anaheim on June 17th. Read the full post at the link below and reach out if your organization is navigating any of this.

I open my session at ASSP Safety '26 with one question on the screen and no answer. What does a positive ma*****na drug test actually prove in 2026? Most safety managers think they know. The answer is more complicated than they expect, and the complication matters enormously for how they do their jo...

05/30/2026

Some news worth sharing.

Emily Arrington and Devin Moore have both earned their FCRA Advanced Certification through Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA), joining Kelley Jackson and me, who have held the Advanced credential for multiple years.

The Advanced credential requires current Basic certification, covers complex FCRA compliance, and must be renewed every two years. Earning it is one thing. Renewing it is what builds a compliance culture.

I'll be honest about why this matters to me. In background screening, it's easy to be cheaper. It's harder to be better. We've chosen better and credentials like this one are part of how we back that choice up.

When you work with Unique Background Solutions, you're not routed to a call center. You're working with a team that has invested the time to actually understand the law that governs our industry.

Proud of this group. Proud of where we're headed.

03/25/2026

Exciting news from the Unique Background Solutions team!

Our own Michael Barnes has been selected to speak at the ASSP Safety '26 Conference in Anaheim, CA — one of the premier events in the workplace safety industry.

His session, "Reasonable Suspicion in the Age of Cannabis: Protecting Safety Through Supervisor Training," tackles one of the most pressing challenges facing employers today.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 8:45 – 9:45 AM

Stay tuned — we'll be sharing more on this topic as the conference approaches. In the meantime, if cannabis policy changes have you rethinking your drug testing program, let's connect.

10/29/2025

Great week in CA at the PBSA conference! Met so many new folks in the screening industry! Can’t wait to get back to the office and implement so of the new things I learned!

10/06/2025

Oct 15 • Raleigh (11:30 AM–1:00 PM ET)
I’m partnering with the Wake Forest Center for Private Business for Background Checks & Drug Screenings: Decoding Recent Policies.
Open to everyone — use code 10152025 at registration for a discount.
Register: http://bit.ly/46Su1Jx
*****naPolicy

10/02/2025

When candidates look at your company, what story do your hiring policies tell?

Background screening programs aren’t just about compliance. They send a message:

Do you believe in second chances?

Do you protect youth and vulnerable populations above all else?

Do you value diversity, fairness, and consistency?

Or do you emphasize zero tolerance and safety first?

Your screening approach is a direct reflection of your workplace culture — and the values future employees will buy into.

Your hiring policy is more than compliance — it’s a reflection of your company culture. Discover how screening practices send powerful signals about your values, from second chances to zero tolerance.

09/22/2025

The swag bags for the 2025 Bug Cup are made possible through the generous support of Unique Background Solutions! Thank you for your continued support of NCPMA!! https://buff.ly/2kODw2d

09/16/2025

How far back can a criminal background check really go?

Many employers assume it’s “7 years across the board” — but that’s only part of the story. The scope of a criminal record search depends on the FCRA, state laws, and even the availability of court records.

In our latest blog, we break down:
✔️ The FCRA 7-year rule
✔️ Which states restrict reporting further
✔️ Why some records may be available indefinitely
✔️ How employers can stay compliant while making smart hiring decisions

https://www.uniquebackground.com/post/understanding-the-scope-of-criminal-record-searches-how-far-back-can-you-really-go

When employers order a criminal background check, one of the most common questions is: “How far back do the results go?” The answer depends on several factors, including the FCRA 7-year rule, state restrictions, and the availability of court records. In this blog, we explain what “scope” rea...