The Field Services office must VIEW your ORIGINAL copies of these clearances. We will hold COPIES of your originals for our records.

Keep a folder of your ORIGINAL copies of clearances. You may be asked to present them to the School District where you are doing your Field Experience or Student Teaching assignments. Please keep them safe but accessible, as it is not the responsibility of this office to provide you with copies.

For additional information go to PA Department of Education.

Copies of these forms are required when you apply for teaching positions.

These forms are valid for one year.

These forms are not required when you apply for your teaching certificate.

PA State Criminal History Record (Act 34) – fee $10

• to request online with a credit card: PATCH System
• When completed, click on the "Certification Form" button and print the results page with the state seal watermark.
• to submit the paper form:
  print legibly in ink or type
  requester - your name and permanent address
  requester identification - check individual
  reason for request - check employment
  fee - $10 money order or certified check, payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  send to PA State Police address on the right near the bottom of the form
  processing time - approximately four weeks; if longer than four weeks, call (717) 783-9144

Federal (FBI) Criminal History Record – fee $40

• register online at www.pa.cogentid.com or call 1-888-439-2486, M-F, 8am-6pm EST
• must register prior to going to the fingerprint site
• fee - $40 credit card or money order payable to Cogent Systems
• processing time - approximately eight weeks; if longer than eight weeks, call (717) 783-3750 or email PDE at dwolfgang@state.pa.us

PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151) - fee $10

• print clearly in ink or type
• You may download the form here
• use your permanent address
• purpose of clearance - check school
• fee - $10 money order, payable to Department of Public Welfare
• send to Childline and Abuse Registry address in the box at the top of the form
• processing time - approximately four-six weeks; any questions, call (717) 783-6211

Background Check forms are available from the Certification Office.