Criminal and Child Abuse Background Checks

1. Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check:

IF student is from another state, a background check from home state must also be completed.

Click on “Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check Form” (SP4-164)
Print the form
Print clearly and neatly in ink or type request
All information must be completed in full
$10 certified check or money order must be enclosed payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”.
Check the “education” block
Mail to the address on the form
Take original to Barbara Nichols in Elliott 204

Click on “Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form” (CY-113)
Print the form
Print clearly and neatly in ink or type section I only.
All information must be completed in full.
Clearance must be signed.
$10 Money order (only) must be enclosed payable to “Department of Public Welfare”.
Check the “school” block of your knowledge and belief.
Mail to the address on the form
Take original to Barbara Nichols, Elliott 204.

Select Department of Public Welfare (DPW) icon.
The fingerprint process is a multistep process.
The applicant must register prior to going to the fingerprint site. Walk-in service is not provided.
Registration is provided online 24/7 at www.pa.cogentid.com and telephone registration is available at 1-888-439-2486 Monday thru Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM EST.
The fee is $36 for the fingerprinting service and to secure the Criminal History Record. Applicants can make their payment online at www.cogentid.com using a credit or debit card. Money orders or cashiers checks payable to Cogent Systems will be accepted on site for those applicants who cannot pay electronically. NO CASH TRANSACTIONS OR PERSONAL CHECKS ARE ALLOWED.
Choose the fingerprint site. Find sites at www.pa.congentid.com
Applicant must have an approved ID (See www.pa.cogentid.com for approved list of ID sources.
The applicant will receive the Federal Criminal in the mail in 4 to 6 weeks.
If the applicant has not received this certificate within the timeframe, call 717-783-6211.
Take original certificate to Barbara Nichols, Elliott 204.