J. J. Keller & Associates has successfully demonstrated continued compliance with the Background Screening Organization Accreditation Program (BSOAP) and is again recognized as Background Screening Credentialing Council (BSCC) accredited.

“We’re incredibly proud to have once again earned this accreditation in support of our full suite of driver qualification services,” said Shaun Gunderson, J. J. Keller’s executive vice president of professional services.

Gunderson said this is part of J. J. Keller’s ongoing commitment to clients’ data security, which also includes annual system penetration testing, secure Application Program Interfaces (APIs), employee security training, and certification to ISO 27001:2022 Information Security Management by SGA North America, among many other initiatives.

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.

Accreditation Body for Background Screening 

Since its inception, PBSA has maintained that there is a strong need for a compliant, cohesive industry standard and, therefore, created the BSOAP. 

Governed by a strict professional standard of specified requirements and measurements, the BSOAP is becoming a widely recognized seal of achievement 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 BSCC oversees the application process and is the governing accreditation body that validates the background screening organizations seeking accreditation meet or exceed a measurable standard of competence. 

To become accredited, organizations must pass a thorough desk audit of their operational documentation, followed by a rigorous virtual audit, conducted by a third-party auditor. This audit includes a review of its policies and procedures as they relate to six critical areas:

• Information Security

• Legal and Compliance

• Client Education

• Researcher and Data Standards

• Verification Services Standards

• Business Practices

Any employment or background screening organization is eligible to apply for accreditation.