Practical Guidance
You must be a current member to access practical guidance documents. If you have questions or to join, contact info@thepbsa.org.
View the Practical Guidance Tool-kit. Didn't find what you are looking for? Submit a request for a resource.
- March 23, 2023
- Practical Guidance Regarding Adjudication Services
- Adjudication is a service that some consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) offer as an administrative service to their clients. Adjudication services are not a substitute or replacement for an end user's review of their applicants' consumer reports, nor are adjudication services a substitute or replacement for the individualized assessments performed by end users. Rather, adjudication may help end users by organizing or categorizing information that the end user has identified as potentially relevant in their screening process.
- January 31, 2023
- Developing Reasonable Procedures to Assure Maximum Possible Accuracy
- Section 607 [15 U.S.C. 1681e(b)] of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) prescribes specific compliance procedures of Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) and end-users of consumer reports. Subsection (b), Accuracy of Reports, is one of the key provisions of Section 607, outlining a CRA's obligation to "follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information" of consumers about whom it prepares reports. This accuracy requirement applies to all consumer reports and all consumer reporting information in those reports, not just public record information. In addition to the legal requirement to comply with Section 607, which is intended to protect consumers, customers of CRAs also expect accurate information which they in turn use in determining eligibility for matters such as employment, housing, or volunteer positions. This document is intended to set forth recommended strategies for CRAs preparing consumer reports for delivery to end users.
- January 31, 2023
- Practical Guidance Regarding Disputed Accuracy
- Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) are required to adhere to specific dispute procedures prescribed by Section 611 [15 U.S.C. 1681i] of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) whenever a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained within their file. CRAs must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether the disputed information is incomplete or inaccurate. The reinvestigation must determine the correct and current status of the disputed information and if inaccurate or unverifiable, it must be deleted from the file. This document is intended to set forth recommended strategies for receiving, reinvestigating, and resolving disputed information.
- November 8, 2022
- General European Vendor Assessment Guidelines
- What is vendor vetting? In a nutshell, vendor vetting answers the question, "Should we be doing business with this organization or not?" This document provides practical guidance for vendor assessment practices to background screening companies, to and from all PBSA members within Europe. It is intentionally broadly written with the understanding that practices and regulations may vary by country and regions. Following these practices, when possible, may instill confidence and better understanding in the vendor vetting process, and offer consistency and overall improved processes.
- June 7, 2022
- Reporting Elements for U.S. County Criminal Court Records
- Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) reporting criminal record information in a consumer report should consider including these reporting elements (if applicable) and readily available from a U.S. County Criminal Court.
- April 25, 2022
- Accreditation FAQs
- Frequently Asked Questions about the BSOAP Accreditation Program. Includes questions about the new General Accreditation Program as well as the U.S. Accreditation Program.
- July 16, 2021
- PBSA Canada: Policy Considerations for Background Screening Service Selection
- The PBSA Canada Council has created a resource for members and their end users in Canada to refer to when creating or updating their screening programs. The document highlights considerations when building a background screening policy, determining which searches to include in a screening program and considerations when evaluating results, specifically adverse information.
- March 23, 2020
- Practical Guidance Tool-Kit
- Resource Tool-Kit providing guidance for Practical Guidance documents. Includes the following documents: Process for Submission and Approval of Practical Guidance; Education Resource vs. Practical Guidance; Practical Guidance Document Submission Workflow; Issue Paper Guidelines; Issue Paper Template; PBSA Formatting Guidelines
- July 26, 2017
- Insurance Policy Considerations for Screening Companies
- Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) generally rely on Errors & Omissions or Professional Liability Insurance to provide protection in the event of a background screening lawsuit. However, too often CRAs do not realize until it's too late that their insurance policy does not provide meaningful coverage. CRAs are well advised to make sure that they understand the details of their prospective or actual policy to ensure that they are not surprised later.
- June 13, 2019
- Practical Guidance for Credentialing Clients
- This document is intended to set forth strategies for CRAs in credentialing their clients. Section 607 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) imposes several compliance obligations on consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). The first of these obligations involves client credentialing, often referred to as client vetting. Under 607(a), prior to furnishing a consumer report, CRAs must maintain reasonable procedures that at minimum require the CRA to obtain from the prospective user: (1) the prospective user's identity; (2) certification for the permissible purpose that forms the basis for the user's request for consumer reports; and (3) certification that the information will be used for no purpose other than the permissible purpose provided. Following the above, every CRA must make a "reasonable effort" to verify the identity of the user and the uses certified by the prospective user prior to providing a consumer report to such user.
- January 23, 2020
- Use of the Driver's Licence Number in Background Checking (Canada)
- Practical Guidance for Use of the Driver's Licence Number in Background Checking in Canada.
- May 21, 2014
- Criminal Record Provider Guidelines
- Guidelines intended for research providers in the background screening industry
- April 26, 2017
- International Provider Recommended Practices
- This document is intended to be a listing of baseline recommended practices for providing data and services to background screening companies, to and from all PBSA member geographic regions. These services may include the legal and customary checks of private or public information. Such private or public information may include but is not limited to criminal records, employment, academic, credential, credit, and other research services. This document is intentionally broadly written with the understanding that practices and regulations may vary by country and regions. It is expected that all services will be delivered in compliance with local laws and regulations. It should be viewed as an initial reference tool in an effort to clarify worldwide practices. Following these recommended practices, when possible, may help to instill confidence and better understanding in the international background screening process.
- March 19, 2017
- US Provider Data Security & Privacy Guidelines
- Consumer Reporting Agencies and their supporting information and service providers are routinely entrusted with PII on individual consumers in the course of providing services to their clients. Accordingly, the purpose of this document is to establish minimum guidelines that PBSA Providers should follow in order to protect such PII from unlawful or unethical use.
- February 24, 2019
- Use of the Social Insurance Number in the Employment Screening Industry (Canada)
- Practical guidance for using Social Insurance Number in Canada
ALL MATERIALS ARE COPYRIGHT OF PBSA AND MAY NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN MEMBER EDUCATION WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE PBSA. IN ADDITION, THE MATERIALS, MAY NOT BE COPIED OR DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION.
Disclaimer: PBSA materials are often provided by industry subject matter experts. The information and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only and are based on current practice, industry related knowledge and business expertise.
