First Advantage is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the Background Screening Organization Accreditation Program (BSOAP). This confirms First Advantage’s compliance with the standards set by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA®) Background Screening Credentialing Council (BSCC). With this designation, First Advantage is formally recognized as BSCC-Accredited and appears in the PBSA member directory.
Founded in 2003 as a not-for-profit trade association, PBSA represents the interests of more than 900 member companies worldwide that offer tenant, employment and background screening. PBSA provides relevant programs and training to empower members to maintain standards of excellence in the background screening industry and presents a unified voice in developing national, state and local regulations.
Since its inception, PBSA has maintained the strong need for a compliant, cohesive industry standard, which prompted the creation of BSOAP. Governed by a strict professional standard of specified requirements and measurements, BSOAP is a widely recognized seal of achievement that brings national recognition to background screening organizations like First Advantage. This recognition serves as the industry “seal,” representing First Advantage’s commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.
First Advantage’s journey to BSCC accreditation was a rigorous one. It began with an application to BSCC, the governing accreditation body of PBSA. This was followed by a thorough desk audit of its operational documentation, and a rigorous virtual audit conducted by a third-party auditor. The review covered six critical areas: Information Security, Legal and Compliance, Client Education, Researcher and Data Standards, Verification Services Standards and Business Practices. This process underscores First Advantage’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to upholding industry standards.
Josephine Kenney, First Advantage’s Chief Global Compliance Officer, commented, “Given the sensitivities involved in background screening, compliance is a critical issue for everyone involved in the process. First Advantage’s completion of PBSA BSOAP’s US Reaccreditation and General Accreditation further reinforces First Advantage’s ongoing commitment to upholding and advancing our industry’s standards.”
