Major Impact: National Association of Professional Background Screeners Launches Formal Accreditation Program

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®) announced today they will be launching the Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program (BSAAP), the first ever industry-specific background screening accreditation program at the opening ceremonies of the NAPBS 2010 Annual Conference on March 7th in San Antonio.

Each year, U.S. employers, organizations and governmental agencies request millions of consumer reports to assist with critical business decisions involving background screening. Background screening reports, which are categorized as consumer reports, are currently regulated at both the federal and state level.  Since its inception, NAPBS has believed that there is a strong need for a singular cohesive industry standard and created the BSAAP. Governed by a strict professional standard composed of requirements and measurements, the BSAAP is positioned to become a widely recognized seal of approval that brings national recognition to background screening organizations (also referred to as Consumer Reporting Agencies). This recognition will stand as the industry "seal" representing a background screening organization's commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.

"The BSAAP is the industry's primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability," said Tracy Seabrook, CAE, executive director of NAPBS. "Developed and sustained by background screening professionals, the BSAAP reflects, reinforces, and promotes best practices, institutional ethics, and the highest standards of background screening operations."

The NAPBS Background Screening Credentialing Council (BSCC) oversees the application process and is the governing accreditation body that will ensure the background screening organizations seeking accreditation meet or exceed a measurable standard of competence. To become accredited, consumer reporting agencies must pass a rigorous onsite audit, conducted by an independent auditing firm, of its policies and procedures as they relate to six critical areas: consumer protection, legal compliance, client education, product standards, service standards, and general business practices.

The BSCC will be accepting letters of intent and applications to the program at the official roll out on March 7, 2010.  Any U.S.-based employment screening organization is eligible to apply for accreditation. A copy of the standard, the policies and procedures, and measurements is available at http://www.napbs.com.

About NAPBS®

Founded in 2003 as a non-profit trade association, the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) represents the interests of more than 700 member companies around the world that offer tenant, employment and background screening. NAPBS provides relevant programs and training aimed at empowering members to better serve clients and maintain standards of excellence in the background screening industry, and presents a unified voice in the development of national, state and local regulations. For more information, visit http://www.napbs.com.

SOURCE National Association of Professional Background Screeners