VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE INFORMATION
Pennsylvania law requires all adults that have direct volunteer contact with children to obtain the following background clearances. Depending on the individual, volunteers may be required to obtain between two and three clearances. These clearances are good for 60 months. The three clearances are as follows:
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check
All volunteers needing clearances under the law shall be required to obtain a criminal background check run by the Pennsylvania State Police. This background check is free to all volunteers. No need to register, click on the link below and choose “New Volunteer Record Check.” Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History - Home
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse Clearances
All volunteers needing clearances under the law shall be required to obtain a child abuse clearance from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This background check is free to all volunteers. You will need to register for an account on the site.
PA Child Abuse History Clearance | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint-Based Background Check
Individuals who have lived in Pennsylvania for less than ten consecutive years: Volunteers needing clearances under the law that have lived in the state of Pennsylvania for less than ten consecutive years (including the current year) must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI Background Check. This background check carries a $22.95 fee, but must only be obtained once, provided that you continue to live in the state of Pennsylvania. You must register and pay before you visit the fingerprinting site (note that you are required to call ahead to register for an appointment). For more information visit the PA Clearances site:
FBI Fingerprinting | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
*Individuals who have lived in Pennsylvania for the last ten consecutive years: Volunteers that have lived in Pennsylvania for the last ten consecutive years are exempt from this check, but must complete an affidavit affirming such: *Disclosure Statement for Volunteers
Please contact Angie Levesque if you have any questions.