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333 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17126 717-783-6788
 * Pennsylvania Department of Education**

Act 114 of 2006 specifies that all applicants for employment with public and private schools including employees of independent contractors, but excluding employees who do not have direct contact with students undergo background checks. In addition, Act 114 extended the background check requirements to include student teacher candidates. As of April 1, 2007, the following three background checks are required:
 * 1) Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check (Act 34). Applies to individuals hired as of January 1, 1986.
 * 2) Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
 * 3) Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) in a manner prescribed by the Department of Education.

For more information, frequently asked questions, etc. [|Click Here]

Criminal History Background Check
Required by Act 34 of 1985 and Act 114 of 2006, as amended, for all prospective employees of public schools, private schools and their contractors’ employees who will work in direct contact with children. Also required for “student teacher candidates”. There are 2 ways in which one can apply for their Act 34 background check, via mail, or internet

The Pennsylvania State Police established a web-based computer application called “Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History” or PATCH. Using this system, a requestor can apply for a criminal background check on an individual basis.

NON-REGISTERED USERS: Individuals are considered non-registered users. They will not be accepted as registered users. Companies, agencies, or offices can also use the system as a non-registered user if they so desire. Non-registered users log onto [|Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History] and select “Submit a New Record Check” under credit card users. The non-registered user can submit up to ten record checks during one session.

VALIDATING CRIMINAL HISTORY RESULTS: The information on a “No Record” or “Record” certificate form can be validated by accessing the PATCH [|Record Check Status] screen and submitting a search request.

Applying via Mail
Applicants may also use [|Form SP4-164], Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check.

1) Applicant must secure Form SP4-164 from the schools, Pennsylvania State Police Barracks or from the [|Pennsylvania State Police] web site. 2) Send the REQUEST FOR CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK with payment to the following address: Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository-164, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg , PA 17110-9758 For status of the Criminal Record Check, call (717) 425-5546 (local number) or 1-888-QUERYPA (1-888-783-7972).

Child Abuse History Clearance
You may obtain forms from schools or the [|Department of Public Welfare] website. ** You may not submit this request on line **. You must download the application, print it, complete the form and submit the form with your payment, by U.S. mail. Enclose a $10.00 money order for each application. No cash or personal checks accepted. Agency or business checks are acceptable. Clearance results will be mailed within 14 days from the date that the clearance is received. There will be no replacements after 90 days. For status of a request, please call the Department of Public Welfare, Childline and Abuse Registry at (717) 783-6211.
 * Indicate SCHOOL as the "Purpose of Clearance" $10.00 fee.**

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