Clearance Information
Pennsylvania School Law Requires that all applicants for employment in public and private schools, employees of independent contractors seeking business with public and private schools, and student teacher candidates undergo background checks if they will have direct contact with children. In addition, employment history reviews must be completed for all applicants seeking employment.
For more information, consider reviewing 24 P.S. §1-111, as amended, and the Child Protective Services Law concerning background checks.
The following background checks and trainings are required, and are good for five years from the date of submission:
Act 34 Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Records Check
Fee: $22
To request your Act 34 Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Records check:
- Go to the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (ePATCH) website HERE.
- Select Submit a New Record Check
- Accept the Terms and Conditions, then select Individual Request and click Continue.
- On the Requestor Information Page, make sure to select Employment as the Reason for Your Request. Enter the necessary information, including a valid email address.
You will have the opportunity to review your information before proceeding. Once your clearance has been processed (usually within 24-48 hours), ePATCH will send an email to the address you provided with a link to access your certificate. This certificate is what you will need to present to the Human Resource Office.
Act 114 Federal Criminal History Record
Fee: $24.95
The Act 114 Federal Criminal History Record is your FBI Fingerprinting. PDE uses IdentGo to register and administer the fingerprinting process.
- Register for your fingerprinting session by going to the IdentGo Registration website HERE at any time, or by calling 1-844-321-2101 Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM EST.
- When registering online, use service code 1KG6XN
- During the registration process, demographic data for the application is collected (names, address, etc.), and the applicant will receive notices regarding identification requirements and other important information.
- You will select a fingerprint location of your choice, and will pay the $24.95 fee at your fingerprinting appointment. The fee is payable with major credit cards, and money orders or cashier's checks payable to MorphoTrust. Cash transactions or personal checks are not allowed.
You will only need to provide the UEID number created for your appointment to the Human Resource Office. The UEID number begins with "UZSV," and is found on your registration confirmation email, the receipt from your appointment, and in your results email.
Act 151 PA Child Abuse History Clearance
Fee: $13.00
- Go to the PA Child Welfare Information Solutions self-service portal HERE to request your clearance.
- If this is the first time you are applying for this clearance, click Create Individual Account
- If you have applied for this clearance before, click Individual Login
- Once your account has been created, select Access My Clearances to apply for your clearance. You will be shown a page regarding information about the website and disclosure of personal information. Click Continue at the bottom of the page to proceed.
- Login using your username and password. If you have forgotten your username or password, use the Forgot User ID or Forgot Password links to the right of the login.
- Once you have logged in, click Create Clearance Application to begin. Previous PA Child Abuse History Clearance applications can be found on this page as well
Once you have submitted your Clearance Application, the PA Child Welfare Information Solutions protal will send you an email to notify you that your application has been processed. You will be able to download and print your clearance certificate from the website.