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Act 34 and 151 Background Checks


Criminal Background Checks and Child Abuse Clearances

Section 1-111 of the Pennsylvania School Code (Act 34 of 1985) and Sections 6354-6358 of the Public Welfare Code (Act 151 of 1994)


Act 34

Section 1-111 of the Pennsylvania School Code requires that all applicants for school employment, including those of independent contractors but excluding employees who do not have direct contact with students, must obtain a criminal background check. All applicants are required to submit a Request for Criminal Record Check to the Pennsylvania State Police. The results will be returned directly to you and must be submitted to the school entity with which you are seeking employment.

Criminal reports may be obtained electronically from the Pennsylvania State Police at http://www.psp.state.pa.us/patch/site/default.asp. The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) Invoice for Criminal Record Check with a copy of the State seal imbedded on the paper is an official record check.

The Criminal History Request Form (SP4-164) is also available from schools, Pennsylvania State Police Barracks and from the Pennsylvania State Police web site: www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/cwp/view.asp?A=4&Q=48275. This background check requires a ten dollar ($10) payment in the form of a certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To check on the status of a request for a Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check call 717-783-9973.

Applicants who ARE NON-RESIDENTS OR have not been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least two years immediately preceding the date of application for employment must also obtain a criminal background check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI check requires applicant fingerprints be placed on a special card available from the school in which you are seeking employment or from the School Services Unit in the Department of Education. It is important that you use the card that identifies the Pennsylvania State Board of Education as the requesting agency, otherwise the results may not be returned through proper channels. The FBI check requires a payment of twenty-four ($24) in the form of a certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Call, write or send an email requesting the FBI fingerprint card to:

School Services Unit
PA Department of Education
333 Market Street 5th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Voice: 717.783.3750
TTY: 717.783.8445
email: dwolfgang@state.pa.us

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL NOT ACCEPT REQUESTS FROM APPLICANTS. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SHALL FORWARD THE SET OF FINGERPRINTS FOR THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.


Act 151

In addition to the criminal background check, Sections 6354-6358 (Act 151) of the Public Welfare Code requires that all applicants for school employment, both Pennsylvania residents and non-residents, also obtain a Child Abuse History Clearance. This request is submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Child Line. The Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY 113) may be obtained from the school to which you are applying for employment, the Department of Public Welfare web site at http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/child/childabuseneglect/003671038.htm or from the School Services Unit in the Department of Education. The Child Abuse History Clearance requires payment of ten ($10) payable to the Department of Public Welfare in the form of a certified check or money order. To check on the status of a request for the Child Abuse Clearance call 717-783-6211.

The criminal background check and child abuse clearance results are valid for one year. Applicants should make and retain a copy of the reports since the Department of Education, Pennsylvania State Police and Department of Public Welfare do not maintain copies of the criminal record check or child abuse history clearances.






Content Last Modified on 4/7/2005 9:34:22 AM



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