Background Check Requirements for Volunteers

Beginning July 1, 2015, volunteers who serve in roles where they will be supervising children were required to obtain background checks, including the Child Abuse History Clearance issued by the Department of Human Services and the Criminal History Record Check issued by the Pennsylvania State Police.

If you have been a continuous resident of Pennsylvania for the last ten years, you will simply need to affirm in writing that you are not disqualified from service based upon a conviction of a criminal offense. A copy of the form is provided through the Department of Human Services.

Fees to obtain background checks under the new Child Protective Services Law are waived for volunteers effective July 25, 2015.

Volunteers who have not been a continuous resident of Pennsylvania for the last ten years also will need to obtain the FBI fingerprint background checks. Because these checks are issued by the federal government, their current fee would still apply.

Convictions of a drug offense within the past five years would disqualify you from serving as a volunteer who works with children.

As part of the new law, background check clearances will be good for five (5) years. Once the clearances are obtained, a volunteer may use those same clearances across other volunteer organizations.

Requirement Guidelines

If you have:

Lived in Pennsylvania continuously for the last 10 years

  • PA Access to Criminal History Form (SP4–164A Form)
  • Child Abuse History Clearance
  • Affirm in writing that you are not disqualified from service based upon a conviction of a criminal offense

Lived outside Pennsylvania in the last 10 years

  • PA Access to Criminal History Form (SP4–164A Form)
  • Child Abuse History Clearance
  • FBI Fingerprint Background Check

Cost to Obtain Clearances
Beginning July 25, 2015:

  • Cost to obtain PSP criminal history certification – $0
  • Cost to obtain the Child Abuse certification costs – $0
  • Cost to obtain FBI federal criminal history certification Dept. Human Services – $25.75

All necessary instructions and links to apply for these certifications can be found at
www.dhs.state.pa.us/findaform/childabusehistoryclearanceforms/index.htm