20 CFR § 620.2 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s620.2"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 620.2 - Definitions."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "620.2"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR"
part_number: "620"
part_name: "DRUG TESTING FOR STATE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PURPOSES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 1302(a); 42 U.S.C. 503(l)(1)(A)(ii)."
regulatory_source: "84 FR 53051, Oct. 4, 2019, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "620"
---


# 620.2 Definitions.

As used in this part—

*Applicant* means an individual who files an initial claim for unemployment compensation under State law. Applicant excludes an individual already found initially eligible and filing a continued claim.

*Controlled substance* means a drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of part B of 21 U.S.C. 801 *et seq.,* as defined in Sec. 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802). The term does not include distilled spirits, wine, malt beverages, or tobacco, as those terms are defined or used in subtitle E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

*Occupation* means a position or class of positions with similar functions and duties. Federal and State laws governing drug testing refer to classes of positions that are required to be drug tested. Other taxonomies of occupations, such as those in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, may be used by States in determining the boundaries of a position or class of positions with similar functions and duties under § 620.3. Use of the SOC codes, however, is not required, and States may use other taxonomies to identify a position or class of positions with similar functions and duties.

*Suitable work* means suitable work as defined by the unemployment compensation law of a State against which the claim is filed. It must be the same definition the State law otherwise uses for determining the type of work an individual must seek, given the individual's education, experience, and previous level of remuneration.

*Unemployment compensation* means any cash benefits payable to an individual with respect to the individual's unemployment under the State law (including amounts payable under an agreement under a Federal unemployment compensation law).