Background Clearances
Overview
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires that students including Pre-Service Teachers, Student Teaching, Internships, Clinical, and Field Experiences entering all schools for field and practicum experiences must obtain the following security clearances:
- Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record (Act 34)
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 51)
- Federal FBI Criminal History Report (Act 114)
- Proof of Tuberculin Skin Test
- Mandated Reporting
Please Note: The Federal FBI Criminal History Report and Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record (Act 34) are TWO different clearances. They are NOT the same clearances and both MUST be completed.
Clearances and Registration
Students must obtain clearances prior to being enrolled in their first semester. All incoming undergraduate students must apply for all clearances fall of freshman year (even if he or she has had an FBI clearance in the past.). All transfer applicants and post-baccalaureate candidates must submit all 5 newly obtained clearances prior to the start of their first semester.
Students planning to enroll in student teaching must re-apply for and submit to the office of clinical experiences a new (updated) set of clearances by the beginning of the preceding semester; for example, if you plan to student teach in the spring of your senior year, you must have updated clearances in hand by the beginning of the fall semester. Clearances must be valid—that is, not more than one year old—from the beginning of student teaching through the date when student teaching is completed..
Please Note: There are different requirements for the Student Teaching Clearances Only.
ALL CLEARANCES MUST BE UPLOADED SO WE CAN VIEW YOUR CLEARANCES.
Updated clearances must be uploaded in both the NEST and your student teaching application. (Step-by-step instructions for the clearance process for Field Placements. and for Student Teaching. can be found here.)
The site for uploading your clearances is now available. Follow the steps below in order for you to upload your clearances.
- Login to the Nest.
- Under "Administrative Services" Portlel click "Student"
- Click "Student Clearances"
- In the Upload Documents page, select the document type.
- Select the department (i.e., Education)
- Choose and attach your file. (Please make sure your document is a PDF. No other file type can be accepted or the system will reject it)
- Click "Upload Document."
Please see the Clearance Step-By-Step Guide Directions
Keeping Your Clearances
Additionally, you need to keep a hard copy of your clearances with you every time you visit your host school for field experience.
Maintaining Your Clearances
Lastly, clearances are valid for THREE years from the start of your FIRST Semester. You will ONLY need to apply for new Field Placement clearances if you are not student teaching in your fourth year.
All Students are responsible and required to KEEP a copy of their clearances with them at ALL TIMES while in field experiences and student teaching.
STUDENTS WITHOUT VALID BACKGROUND CLEARANCES CANNOT ATTEND FIELD EXPERIENCE (You will not be given your field experience or student teaching placement without your clearances)
Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record (Act 34)
Visit the Pennsylvania State Criminal History Record (Act 34). You can obtain the PA Criminal History Clearance electronically at https://epatch.pa.gov/home by clicking on the Submit a New Volunteer Record Check This clearance is free as it is Volunteer clearance and NOT to be used for student teaching. Make sure to record the Control Number and the exact name and the date that you used to register.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 51)
Visit the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 51) website to submit an online request for clearance. When you register you must first create an individual account. (When you register the Keystone ID is the same as creating a User Name). Once you register you should receive an email with a temporary password. Return to https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home and select individual login. Once you are logged in you may register as a “VOLUNTEER”. This clearance is free as it is Volunteer clearance and NOT to be used for student teaching.
FBI Criminal History Report
Register online for the Federal FBI Criminal History Report. Please note the FBI clearance and the Criminal History clearance are NOT the same clearance. Applicants must register prior to going to the fingerprint site at https://uenroll.identogo.com/ Applicants will be required to enter a Service Code: (1KG6RT), as well as demographic data (name, address, etc.) when registering. Then click on “Schedule or Manage Appointment” and finish the registration process.
Applicants must pay a $23.85 fee at the fingerprinting site for the fingerprinting service and to secure an unofficial copy of their report. Fingerprinting MUST be completed in Pennsylvania. You will be able to log in again within a few days and access your unofficial clearance. The unofficial clearance will suffice for uploading to Canvas and presenting for field experience.
Note: We need the actual FBI clearance stating any criminal history, not a copy of your fingerprints.
Tuberculin Skin Test
Students can obtain a proof of Tuberculin Skin Test by visiting the Student Health Center.
Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct
Access the Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct training instructions. Upon completion of the training, you will receive a certificate that you can put on the Canvas clearance site mentioned above.
Student Teaching Clearances ONLY
Please Note: There are different requirements for the Student Teaching Clearances Only.
Students planning to enroll in student teaching must re-apply for and submit to the office of clinical experiences a new (updated) set of clearances by the beginning of the preceding semester; for example, if you plan to student teach in the spring of your senior year, you must have updated clearances in hand by the beginning of the fall semester. Clearances must be valid—that is, not more than one year old—from the beginning of student teaching through the date when student teaching is completed..
Updated clearances must be uploaded in both the NEST and your student teaching application. (Step-by-step instructions for the clearance process for Student Teaching can be found here.)
For Special Education online students only
Please access the following documents:
- Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification form (complete only if arrested or convicted)