Edge Information Management, Inc. is a proud founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). This is an elite professional organization that provides companies and persons associated with the employment background check industry with educational materials and opportunities as well as professional resources. PBSA also provides members with information about new technologies, the latest developments, and industry news.
The Professional Background Screening Association promotes compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and continued ethical business practices. They also help to keep the public informed regarding the importance of background check services and technologies and promote awareness of privacy rights, security issues, and consumer protection. The PBSA advocates with the federal and state governments for the importance of responsible employment background check practices.
The Professional Background Screening Association offers an accreditation program for Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) located in the United States. Governed by a strict and thorough set of professional standards of specified requirements and measurements, the Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program (BSAAP) has become a widely recognized seal of approval bringing national recognition to an employment background screening-affiliated organization for its commitment to achieving excellence through high professional standards with accountability that results in continued institutional improvement.
The BSAAP provides a detailed process for evaluating and improving internal operating procedures that every CRA, and their clients, benefit from. Accredited CRAs have made a commitment to uphold and deliver the highest level of industry standards for the following critical areas:
Information Security
Legal and Compliance
Client Education
Researcher and Data Standards
Verification Services Standards
Business Practices
To become accredited firms must demonstrate initial and ongoing compliance with the accreditation standard as prepared by the Background Screening Credentialing Council (BSCC). Compliance is demonstrated through rigorous desk and on-site audits, all of which are completed by an independent third-party auditor. Firms must document each of their policies and processes as required in each of the areas within the Standard and demonstrate visible compliance with their policies to the auditor. Accreditation lasts for a period of five years, after which time firms are required to recomplete the process if they wish to remain accredited.
Edge Information Management has received its Service Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) certification for 2018 and 2019. Completion of the SOC 2 certification process indicates that selected Edge Information Management processes, procedures, and controls have been formally evaluated by an independent accounting and auditing firm. The certification included the company’s controls related to the Trust Services Principles and Criteria of Security and Availability.
A SOC 2 certification is performed in accordance with AICPA attestation standards. SOC 2 is designated as an acceptable method for a user entity’s management to obtain assurance about service organization internal controls over Security, Confidentiality, and Privacy without conducting additional assessments.
A SOC 2 certification is widely recognized because it represents that a service organization has been through an evaluation of their activities as they relate to the applicable Trust Services Principles and Criteria. A Type II report includes the service organization’s system description, as well as detailed testing of the operating effectiveness of the service organization’s controls throughout the specified period.
According to Edge’s Norm Gagnon, Vice President of Compliance & Operations, “With SOC 2 compliance, our business’ internal systems and processes are evaluated, strengthened and improved. We are now more equipped than ever to serve our clients in a secure and compliant way in a complex environment of ever increasing regulation and data security requirements. This gives us a competitive edge in the industry in terms of credibility and reputation.”
National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association Mission and Purpose
To promote the highest possible standards of professionalism and quality control in the drug and alcohol testing industry, and develop and oversee education, certification, and accreditation programs for the drug and alcohol testing industry,
To serve as the coordinated voice for the industry on regulatory and legislative matters of drug and alcohol testing and collection issues as well as drug free workplace regulatory issues;
To serve as a body for discussion and resolution of common problems and issues affecting the drug and alcohol testing industry;
To inform its members of issues affecting their businesses through newsletters, legislative alerts and meetings;
To collect and disseminate information on drug and alcohol service and product providers through a national directory distributed to business and the general public; and,
To actively cooperate with other entities, organizations, and service providers involved with or affected by drug and alcohol testing on common interests and concerns, including but not limited to, substance abuse professionals, substance abuse program administrators, employee assistance professionals, Medical Review Officers, testing laboratories and employer trade associations.
NDASA was founded in 2018 as a public safety response to a growing need for training, advocacy and best-practice standards for the drug and alcohol testing industry. Nearly 1,800 members, representing 450 organizations and businesses. And, we are always growing! Our members come from all over the world and are based in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
Edge Employment Screening is proud to be an accredited member of the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA), a leading organization dedicated to ensuring drug-free workplaces and promoting public safety across industries. As a trusted partner, we align with NDASA’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in drug and alcohol screening through professional training, certification, and compliance with federal and state regulations. Our team works closely with employers, safety professionals, and Third-Party Administrators to provide seamless and reliable background screening solutions.
Being part of NDASA allows us to stay at the forefront of the industry’s best practices and regulatory changes, ensuring that our services meet the evolving needs of our clients. With NDASA’s support, we remain dedicated to promoting safety, offering resources, and maintaining transparency while delivering accurate and efficient screening results that our clients can rely on.