diff --git a/cluster/gce/gci/audit_policy_test.go b/cluster/gce/gci/audit_policy_test.go
index 3ea6f54b416..bd9a553f7ff 100644
--- a/cluster/gce/gci/audit_policy_test.go
+++ b/cluster/gce/gci/audit_policy_test.go
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@ func TestCreateMasterAuditPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 	)
 
 	at := auditTester{
-		T:       t,
-		checker: auditpolicy.NewChecker(policy),
+		T:         t,
+		evaluator: auditpolicy.NewPolicyRuleEvaluator(policy),
 	}
 
 	at.testResources(none, kubeproxy, "watch", endpoints, sysEndpoints, services, serviceStatus)
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ func TestCreateMasterAuditPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 
 type auditTester struct {
 	*testing.T
-	checker auditpolicy.Checker
+	evaluator auditpkg.PolicyRuleEvaluator
 }
 
 func (t *auditTester) testResources(level audit.Level, usrVerbRes ...interface{}) {
@@ -229,9 +229,9 @@ func (t *auditTester) expectLevel(expected audit.Level, attrs authorizer.Attribu
 		}
 	}
 	name := fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s.%s", attrs.GetUser().GetName(), attrs.GetVerb(), obj)
-	checker := t.checker
+	evaluator := t.evaluator
 	t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
-		level, stages := checker.LevelAndStages(attrs)
+		level, stages := evaluator.LevelAndStages(attrs)
 		assert.Equal(t, expected, level)
 		if level != audit.LevelNone {
 			assert.ElementsMatch(t, stages, []audit.Stage{audit.StageRequestReceived})
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/evaluator.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/evaluator.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4319e050dd0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/evaluator.go
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2021 The Kubernetes Authors.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package audit
+
+import (
+	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/apis/audit"
+	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/authorization/authorizer"
+)
+
+// PolicyRuleEvaluator exposes methods for evaluating the policy rules.
+type PolicyRuleEvaluator interface {
+	// Check the audit level for a request with the given authorizer attributes.
+	LevelAndStages(authorizer.Attributes) (audit.Level, []audit.Stage)
+}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker.go
index e9a901abf64..26ce7825f05 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/apis/audit"
+	auditinternal "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/authorization/authorizer"
 )
 
@@ -28,18 +29,12 @@ const (
 	DefaultAuditLevel = audit.LevelNone
 )
 
-// Checker exposes methods for checking the policy rules.
-type Checker interface {
-	// Check the audit level for a request with the given authorizer attributes.
-	LevelAndStages(authorizer.Attributes) (audit.Level, []audit.Stage)
-}
-
-// NewChecker creates a new policy checker.
-func NewChecker(policy *audit.Policy) Checker {
+// NewPolicyRuleEvaluator creates a new policy rule evaluator.
+func NewPolicyRuleEvaluator(policy *audit.Policy) auditinternal.PolicyRuleEvaluator {
 	for i, rule := range policy.Rules {
 		policy.Rules[i].OmitStages = unionStages(policy.OmitStages, rule.OmitStages)
 	}
-	return &policyChecker{*policy}
+	return &policyRuleEvaluator{*policy}
 }
 
 func unionStages(stageLists ...[]audit.Stage) []audit.Stage {
@@ -56,16 +51,17 @@ func unionStages(stageLists ...[]audit.Stage) []audit.Stage {
 	return result
 }
 
-// FakeChecker creates a checker that returns a constant level for all requests (for testing).
-func FakeChecker(level audit.Level, stage []audit.Stage) Checker {
-	return &fakeChecker{level, stage}
+// NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator creates a fake policy rule evaluator that returns
+// a constant level for all requests (for testing).
+func NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(level audit.Level, stage []audit.Stage) auditinternal.PolicyRuleEvaluator {
+	return &fakePolicyRuleEvaluator{level, stage}
 }
 
-type policyChecker struct {
+type policyRuleEvaluator struct {
 	audit.Policy
 }
 
-func (p *policyChecker) LevelAndStages(attrs authorizer.Attributes) (audit.Level, []audit.Stage) {
+func (p *policyRuleEvaluator) LevelAndStages(attrs authorizer.Attributes) (audit.Level, []audit.Stage) {
 	for _, rule := range p.Rules {
 		if ruleMatches(&rule, attrs) {
 			return rule.Level, rule.OmitStages
@@ -209,11 +205,11 @@ func hasString(slice []string, value string) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-type fakeChecker struct {
+type fakePolicyRuleEvaluator struct {
 	level audit.Level
 	stage []audit.Stage
 }
 
-func (f *fakeChecker) LevelAndStages(_ authorizer.Attributes) (audit.Level, []audit.Stage) {
+func (f *fakePolicyRuleEvaluator) LevelAndStages(_ authorizer.Attributes) (audit.Level, []audit.Stage) {
 	return f.level, f.stage
 }
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker_test.go
index d1818ef69d4..b08a917c7aa 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy/checker_test.go
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func test(t *testing.T, req string, expLevel audit.Level, policyStages, expOmitS
 		policy.Rules = append(policy.Rules, rules[rule])
 	}
 	require.Contains(t, attrs, req)
-	actualLevel, actualOmitStages := NewChecker(&policy).LevelAndStages(attrs[req])
+	actualLevel, actualOmitStages := NewPolicyRuleEvaluator(&policy).LevelAndStages(attrs[req])
 	assert.Equal(t, expLevel, actualLevel, "request:%s rules:%s", req, strings.Join(ruleNames, ","))
 	assert.True(t, stageEqual(expOmitStages, actualOmitStages), "request:%s rules:%s, expected stages: %v, actual stages: %v",
 		req, strings.Join(ruleNames, ","), expOmitStages, actualOmitStages)
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/apiserver_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/apiserver_test.go
index 15855d18fae..3f0ee9c5c74 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/apiserver_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/apiserver_test.go
@@ -286,9 +286,9 @@ func handleInternal(storage map[string]rest.Storage, admissionControl admission.
 		// simplified long-running check
 		return requestInfo.Verb == "watch" || requestInfo.Verb == "proxy"
 	}
-	fakeChecker := auditpolicy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
-	handler := genericapifilters.WithAudit(mux, auditSink, fakeChecker, longRunningCheck)
-	handler = genericapifilters.WithRequestDeadline(handler, auditSink, fakeChecker, longRunningCheck, codecs, 60*time.Second)
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := auditpolicy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	handler := genericapifilters.WithAudit(mux, auditSink, fakeRuleEvaluator, longRunningCheck)
+	handler = genericapifilters.WithRequestDeadline(handler, auditSink, fakeRuleEvaluator, longRunningCheck, codecs, 60*time.Second)
 	handler = genericapifilters.WithRequestInfo(handler, testRequestInfoResolver())
 
 	return &defaultAPIServer{handler, container}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit.go
index 02f57909ef0..ecee6600f19 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit.go
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ import (
 	utilruntime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime"
 	auditinternal "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/apis/audit"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit"
-	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/handlers/responsewriters"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/request"
 )
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ import (
 // requests coming to the server. Audit level is decided according to requests'
 // attributes and audit policy. Logs are emitted to the audit sink to
 // process events. If sink or audit policy is nil, no decoration takes place.
-func WithAudit(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Checker, longRunningCheck request.LongRunningRequestCheck) http.Handler {
+func WithAudit(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator, longRunningCheck request.LongRunningRequestCheck) http.Handler {
 	if sink == nil || policy == nil {
 		return handler
 	}
@@ -117,7 +116,7 @@ func WithAudit(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Checker, lon
 // - context with audit event attached to it
 // - created audit event
 // - error if anything bad happened
-func createAuditEventAndAttachToContext(req *http.Request, policy policy.Checker) (*http.Request, *auditinternal.Event, []auditinternal.Stage, error) {
+func createAuditEventAndAttachToContext(req *http.Request, policy audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator) (*http.Request, *auditinternal.Event, []auditinternal.Stage, error) {
 	ctx := req.Context()
 
 	attribs, err := GetAuthorizerAttributes(ctx)
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_annotations.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_annotations.go
index 22b276991c6..6a885711f03 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_annotations.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_annotations.go
@@ -20,14 +20,13 @@ import (
 	"net/http"
 
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit"
-	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy"
 )
 
 // WithAuditAnnotations decorates a http.Handler with a []{key, value} that is merged
 // with the audit.Event.Annotations map.  This allows layers that run before WithAudit
 // (such as authentication) to assert annotations.
 // If sink or audit policy is nil, no decoration takes place.
-func WithAuditAnnotations(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Checker) http.Handler {
+func WithAuditAnnotations(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator) http.Handler {
 	// no need to wrap if auditing is disabled
 	if sink == nil || policy == nil {
 		return handler
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_test.go
index e326712e14c..ea7e940a0b7 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/audit_test.go
@@ -668,8 +668,8 @@ func TestAudit(t *testing.T) {
 	} {
 		t.Run(test.desc, func(t *testing.T) {
 			sink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-			policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, test.omitStages)
-			handler := WithAudit(http.HandlerFunc(test.handler), sink, policyChecker, func(r *http.Request, ri *request.RequestInfo) bool {
+			fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, test.omitStages)
+			handler := WithAudit(http.HandlerFunc(test.handler), sink, fakeRuleEvaluator, func(r *http.Request, ri *request.RequestInfo) bool {
 				// simplified long-running check
 				return ri.Verb == "watch"
 			})
@@ -738,8 +738,8 @@ func TestAudit(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAuditNoPanicOnNilUser(t *testing.T) {
-	policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
-	handler := WithAudit(&fakeHTTPHandler{}, &fakeAuditSink{}, policyChecker, nil)
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	handler := WithAudit(&fakeHTTPHandler{}, &fakeAuditSink{}, fakeRuleEvaluator, nil)
 	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
 	req = withTestContext(req, nil, nil)
 	req.RemoteAddr = "127.0.0.1"
@@ -752,8 +752,8 @@ func TestAuditLevelNone(t *testing.T) {
 	handler = http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
 		w.WriteHeader(200)
 	})
-	policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelNone, nil)
-	handler = WithAudit(handler, sink, policyChecker, nil)
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelNone, nil)
+	handler = WithAudit(handler, sink, fakeRuleEvaluator, nil)
 
 	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
 	req.RemoteAddr = "127.0.0.1"
@@ -807,9 +807,8 @@ func TestAuditIDHttpHeader(t *testing.T) {
 			handler = http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
 				w.WriteHeader(200)
 			})
-			policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(test.level, nil)
-
-			handler = WithAudit(handler, sink, policyChecker, nil)
+			fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(test.level, nil)
+			handler = WithAudit(handler, sink, fakeRuleEvaluator, nil)
 			handler = WithAuditID(handler)
 
 			req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit.go
index 2de13f74706..550a2f25b29 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit.go
@@ -26,13 +26,12 @@ import (
 	utilruntime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime"
 	auditinternal "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/apis/audit"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit"
-	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/handlers/responsewriters"
 )
 
 // WithFailedAuthenticationAudit decorates a failed http.Handler used in WithAuthentication handler.
 // It is meant to log only failed authentication requests.
-func WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(failedHandler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Checker) http.Handler {
+func WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(failedHandler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator) http.Handler {
 	if sink == nil || policy == nil {
 		return failedHandler
 	}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit_test.go
index 08a38224a1f..88419301642 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/authn_audit_test.go
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@ import (
 
 func TestFailedAuthnAudit(t *testing.T) {
 	sink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
 	handler := WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(
 		http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			http.Error(w, "", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 		}),
-		sink, policyChecker)
+		sink, fakeRuleEvaluator)
 	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
 	req.RemoteAddr = "127.0.0.1"
 	req = withTestContext(req, nil, nil)
@@ -62,12 +62,12 @@ func TestFailedAuthnAudit(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestFailedMultipleAuthnAudit(t *testing.T) {
 	sink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
 	handler := WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(
 		http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			http.Error(w, "", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 		}),
-		sink, policyChecker)
+		sink, fakeRuleEvaluator)
 	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
 	req.RemoteAddr = "127.0.0.1"
 	req = withTestContext(req, nil, nil)
@@ -95,12 +95,12 @@ func TestFailedMultipleAuthnAudit(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestFailedAuthnAuditWithoutAuthorization(t *testing.T) {
 	sink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
 	handler := WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(
 		http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			http.Error(w, "", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 		}),
-		sink, policyChecker)
+		sink, fakeRuleEvaluator)
 	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
 	req.RemoteAddr = "127.0.0.1"
 	req = withTestContext(req, nil, nil)
@@ -126,12 +126,12 @@ func TestFailedAuthnAuditWithoutAuthorization(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestFailedAuthnAuditOmitted(t *testing.T) {
 	sink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	policyChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, []auditinternal.Stage{auditinternal.StageResponseStarted})
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, []auditinternal.Stage{auditinternal.StageResponseStarted})
 	handler := WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(
 		http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			http.Error(w, "", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 		}),
-		sink, policyChecker)
+		sink, fakeRuleEvaluator)
 	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
 	req.RemoteAddr = "127.0.0.1"
 	req = withTestContext(req, nil, nil)
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline.go
index cc4997968a1..1df8e5b5514 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline.go
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ import (
 	utilruntime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime"
 	auditinternal "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/apis/audit"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit"
-	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/handlers/responsewriters"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/request"
 	"k8s.io/klog/v2"
@@ -47,12 +46,12 @@ const (
 // auditWrapper provides an http.Handler that audits a failed request.
 // longRunning returns true if he given request is a long running request.
 // requestTimeoutMaximum specifies the default request timeout value.
-func WithRequestDeadline(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Checker, longRunning request.LongRunningRequestCheck,
+func WithRequestDeadline(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator, longRunning request.LongRunningRequestCheck,
 	negotiatedSerializer runtime.NegotiatedSerializer, requestTimeoutMaximum time.Duration) http.Handler {
 	return withRequestDeadline(handler, sink, policy, longRunning, negotiatedSerializer, requestTimeoutMaximum, utilclock.RealClock{})
 }
 
-func withRequestDeadline(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Checker, longRunning request.LongRunningRequestCheck,
+func withRequestDeadline(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator, longRunning request.LongRunningRequestCheck,
 	negotiatedSerializer runtime.NegotiatedSerializer, requestTimeoutMaximum time.Duration, clock utilclock.PassiveClock) http.Handler {
 	return http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 		ctx := req.Context()
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ func withRequestDeadline(handler http.Handler, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Ch
 
 // withFailedRequestAudit decorates a failed http.Handler and is used to audit a failed request.
 // statusErr is used to populate the Message property of ResponseStatus.
-func withFailedRequestAudit(failedHandler http.Handler, statusErr *apierrors.StatusError, sink audit.Sink, policy policy.Checker) http.Handler {
+func withFailedRequestAudit(failedHandler http.Handler, statusErr *apierrors.StatusError, sink audit.Sink, policy audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator) http.Handler {
 	if sink == nil || policy == nil {
 		return failedHandler
 	}
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline_test.go
index 55ff4a8f035..856e443e506 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/filters/request_deadline_test.go
@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ func TestWithRequestDeadline(t *testing.T) {
 			})
 
 			fakeSink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-			fakeChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
-			withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeChecker,
+			fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+			withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeRuleEvaluator,
 				func(_ *http.Request, _ *request.RequestInfo) bool { return test.longRunning },
 				newSerializer(), requestTimeoutMaximum)
 			withDeadline = WithRequestInfo(withDeadline, &fakeRequestResolver{})
@@ -230,8 +230,8 @@ func TestWithRequestDeadlineWithClock(t *testing.T) {
 	fakeClock := utilclock.NewFakeClock(receivedTimestampExpected)
 
 	fakeSink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	fakeChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
-	withDeadline := withRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeChecker,
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	withDeadline := withRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeRuleEvaluator,
 		func(_ *http.Request, _ *request.RequestInfo) bool { return false }, newSerializer(), time.Minute, fakeClock)
 	withDeadline = WithRequestInfo(withDeadline, &fakeRequestResolver{})
 
@@ -259,8 +259,8 @@ func TestWithRequestDeadlineWithFailedRequestIsAudited(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	fakeSink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	fakeChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
-	withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeChecker,
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeRuleEvaluator,
 		func(_ *http.Request, _ *request.RequestInfo) bool { return false }, newSerializer(), time.Minute)
 	withDeadline = WithRequestInfo(withDeadline, &fakeRequestResolver{})
 
@@ -295,8 +295,8 @@ func TestWithRequestDeadlineWithPanic(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	fakeSink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	fakeChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
-	withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeChecker,
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeRuleEvaluator,
 		func(_ *http.Request, _ *request.RequestInfo) bool { return false }, newSerializer(), 1*time.Minute)
 	withDeadline = WithRequestInfo(withDeadline, &fakeRequestResolver{})
 	withPanicRecovery := http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
@@ -332,8 +332,8 @@ func TestWithRequestDeadlineWithRequestTimesOut(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	fakeSink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-	fakeChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
-	withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeChecker,
+	fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+	withDeadline := WithRequestDeadline(handler, fakeSink, fakeRuleEvaluator,
 		func(_ *http.Request, _ *request.RequestInfo) bool { return false }, newSerializer(), 1*time.Minute)
 	withDeadline = WithRequestInfo(withDeadline, &fakeRequestResolver{})
 
@@ -380,9 +380,9 @@ func TestWithFailedRequestAudit(t *testing.T) {
 			})
 
 			fakeSink := &fakeAuditSink{}
-			fakeChecker := policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
+			fakeRuleEvaluator := policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelRequestResponse, nil)
 
-			withAudit := withFailedRequestAudit(errorHandler, test.statusErr, fakeSink, fakeChecker)
+			withAudit := withFailedRequestAudit(errorHandler, test.statusErr, fakeSink, fakeRuleEvaluator)
 
 			w := httptest.NewRecorder()
 			testRequest, err := http.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/apis/v1/namespaces/default/pods", nil)
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config.go
index d068c7e0c4c..f99d0ca1c51 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config.go
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/version"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/admission"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit"
-	auditpolicy "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/audit/policy"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/authentication/authenticator"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/authentication/authenticatorfactory"
 	authenticatorunion "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/authentication/request/union"
@@ -135,8 +134,8 @@ type Config struct {
 	Version *version.Info
 	// AuditBackend is where audit events are sent to.
 	AuditBackend audit.Backend
-	// AuditPolicyChecker makes the decision of whether and how to audit log a request.
-	AuditPolicyChecker auditpolicy.Checker
+	// AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator makes the decision of whether and how to audit log a request.
+	AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator
 	// ExternalAddress is the host name to use for external (public internet) facing URLs (e.g. Swagger)
 	// Will default to a value based on secure serving info and available ipv4 IPs.
 	ExternalAddress string
@@ -772,11 +771,11 @@ func DefaultBuildHandlerChain(apiHandler http.Handler, c *Config) http.Handler {
 	handler = filterlatency.TrackStarted(handler, "impersonation")
 
 	handler = filterlatency.TrackCompleted(handler)
-	handler = genericapifilters.WithAudit(handler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyChecker, c.LongRunningFunc)
+	handler = genericapifilters.WithAudit(handler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator, c.LongRunningFunc)
 	handler = filterlatency.TrackStarted(handler, "audit")
 
 	failedHandler := genericapifilters.Unauthorized(c.Serializer)
-	failedHandler = genericapifilters.WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(failedHandler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyChecker)
+	failedHandler = genericapifilters.WithFailedAuthenticationAudit(failedHandler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator)
 
 	failedHandler = filterlatency.TrackCompleted(failedHandler)
 	handler = filterlatency.TrackCompleted(handler)
@@ -789,13 +788,13 @@ func DefaultBuildHandlerChain(apiHandler http.Handler, c *Config) http.Handler {
 	// context with deadline. The go-routine can keep running, while the timeout logic will return a timeout to the client.
 	handler = genericfilters.WithTimeoutForNonLongRunningRequests(handler, c.LongRunningFunc)
 
-	handler = genericapifilters.WithRequestDeadline(handler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyChecker,
+	handler = genericapifilters.WithRequestDeadline(handler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator,
 		c.LongRunningFunc, c.Serializer, c.RequestTimeout)
 	handler = genericfilters.WithWaitGroup(handler, c.LongRunningFunc, c.HandlerChainWaitGroup)
 	if c.SecureServing != nil && !c.SecureServing.DisableHTTP2 && c.GoawayChance > 0 {
 		handler = genericfilters.WithProbabilisticGoaway(handler, c.GoawayChance)
 	}
-	handler = genericapifilters.WithAuditAnnotations(handler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyChecker)
+	handler = genericapifilters.WithAuditAnnotations(handler, c.AuditBackend, c.AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator)
 	handler = genericapifilters.WithWarningRecorder(handler)
 	handler = genericapifilters.WithCacheControl(handler)
 	handler = genericfilters.WithHSTS(handler, c.HSTSDirectives)
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config_test.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config_test.go
index 532cf49d3d4..b04e018510a 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config_test.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/config_test.go
@@ -289,9 +289,9 @@ func TestAuthenticationAuditAnnotationsDefaultChain(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	backend := &testBackend{}
 	c := &Config{
-		Authentication:     AuthenticationInfo{Authenticator: authn},
-		AuditBackend:       backend,
-		AuditPolicyChecker: policy.FakeChecker(auditinternal.LevelMetadata, nil),
+		Authentication:           AuthenticationInfo{Authenticator: authn},
+		AuditBackend:             backend,
+		AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator: policy.NewFakePolicyRuleEvaluator(auditinternal.LevelMetadata, nil),
 
 		// avoid nil panics
 		HandlerChainWaitGroup: &waitgroup.SafeWaitGroup{},
diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/options/audit.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/options/audit.go
index a35163649d7..fde8e8eb08f 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/options/audit.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/options/audit.go
@@ -289,8 +289,8 @@ func (o *AuditOptions) ApplyTo(
 		return fmt.Errorf("server config must be non-nil")
 	}
 
-	// 1. Build policy checker
-	checker, err := o.newPolicyChecker()
+	// 1. Build policy evaluator
+	evaluator, err := o.newPolicyRuleEvaluator()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ func (o *AuditOptions) ApplyTo(
 		return err
 	}
 	if w != nil {
-		if checker == nil {
+		if evaluator == nil {
 			klog.V(2).Info("No audit policy file provided, no events will be recorded for log backend")
 		} else {
 			logBackend = o.LogOptions.newBackend(w)
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ func (o *AuditOptions) ApplyTo(
 	// 3. Build webhook backend
 	var webhookBackend audit.Backend
 	if o.WebhookOptions.enabled() {
-		if checker == nil {
+		if evaluator == nil {
 			klog.V(2).Info("No audit policy file provided, no events will be recorded for webhook backend")
 		} else {
 			if c.EgressSelector != nil {
@@ -343,8 +343,8 @@ func (o *AuditOptions) ApplyTo(
 		dynamicBackend = o.WebhookOptions.TruncateOptions.wrapBackend(webhookBackend, groupVersion)
 	}
 
-	// 5. Set the policy checker
-	c.AuditPolicyChecker = checker
+	// 5. Set the policy rule evaluator
+	c.AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator = evaluator
 
 	// 6. Join the log backend with the webhooks
 	c.AuditBackend = appendBackend(logBackend, dynamicBackend)
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ func (o *AuditOptions) ApplyTo(
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (o *AuditOptions) newPolicyChecker() (policy.Checker, error) {
+func (o *AuditOptions) newPolicyRuleEvaluator() (audit.PolicyRuleEvaluator, error) {
 	if o.PolicyFile == "" {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ func (o *AuditOptions) newPolicyChecker() (policy.Checker, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("loading audit policy file: %v", err)
 	}
-	return policy.NewChecker(p), nil
+	return policy.NewPolicyRuleEvaluator(p), nil
 }
 
 func (o *AuditBatchOptions) AddFlags(pluginName string, fs *pflag.FlagSet) {
diff --git a/test/integration/examples/webhook_test.go b/test/integration/examples/webhook_test.go
index b16973e2d25..2592902d3d5 100644
--- a/test/integration/examples/webhook_test.go
+++ b/test/integration/examples/webhook_test.go
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func TestWebhookLoopback(t *testing.T) {
 
 			// Hook into audit to watch requests
 			config.GenericConfig.AuditBackend = auditSinkFunc(func(events ...*auditinternal.Event) {})
-			config.GenericConfig.AuditPolicyChecker = auditChecker(func(attrs authorizer.Attributes) (auditinternal.Level, []auditinternal.Stage) {
+			config.GenericConfig.AuditPolicyRuleEvaluator = auditPolicyRuleEvaluator(func(attrs authorizer.Attributes) (auditinternal.Level, []auditinternal.Stage) {
 				if attrs.GetPath() == webhookPath {
 					if attrs.GetUser().GetName() != "system:apiserver" {
 						t.Errorf("expected user %q, got %q", "system:apiserver", attrs.GetUser().GetName())
@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ func TestWebhookLoopback(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-type auditChecker func(authorizer.Attributes) (auditinternal.Level, []auditinternal.Stage)
+type auditPolicyRuleEvaluator func(authorizer.Attributes) (auditinternal.Level, []auditinternal.Stage)
 
-func (f auditChecker) LevelAndStages(attrs authorizer.Attributes) (auditinternal.Level, []auditinternal.Stage) {
+func (f auditPolicyRuleEvaluator) LevelAndStages(attrs authorizer.Attributes) (auditinternal.Level, []auditinternal.Stage) {
 	return f(attrs)
 }