There are 3 background checks required for volunteers working with children in the state of Pennsylvania. They are the PA Criminal History Record, PA Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Fingerprint Based Record Check. Information on how to complete these background checks is provided here.

If you would like to volunteer at a CCC event working with children, please complete these background checks and provide your results to the CCC prior to the event.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for volunteers can also be found at http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_135249.pdf

Pennsylvania Criminal History Record

Criminal History Records can be requested at https://www.psp.pa.gov/pages/request-a-criminal-history-record.aspx

ACT 33- PA Child Abuse Clearance Application Instructions

Title 23, Pa. C.S. Chapter 63 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law) requires the Volunteers Having Contact with Children to obtain a Child Abuse Clearance in order to work and/or provide services to children. This means that anyone volunteering as an adult for an unpaid position as a volunteer with a child-care service, a school or a program, activity or service, as a person responsible for the child’s welfare or having direct volunteer contact with children.

For more detailed definitions and exceptions to clearance requirements please see the Who Needs Child Abuse Clearances at http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/clearances/index.htm

The clearance is free of charge for volunteers.Carefully review the following information:

1. Go to https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home and select Create Individual Account
   • For the best results, please access the website using Google Chrome. If you do not have Google Chrome on your
     personal computer, it can be downloaded from
     https://www.google.com/chrome
2. Create a Keystone ID account
   • This account will be used to check the status of your clearance application and for future website use
   • Once created, you will receive an email confirmation and temporary password; you must wait to receive this
     information before moving forward with your application
   • Click on the Child Welfare Portal link within your email
3. Select Login
4. Select Access My Clearances
5. Select Continue after scrolling down to the bottom of the page
6. Re-enter your Keystone ID and temporary password; you will then be prompted to create a permanent password
7. Once your permanent password is created, you will be redirected back to the login page; enter your new password and
   Keystone ID
8. Agree to the Terms and Conditions
9. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Continue
10. Select Create Clearance Application
11. Follow the instructions outlined on the website to complete the application
    • Select Volunteer Having Contact with Children: Applying for the purpose of volunteering as an adult for an
      unpaid position as a volunteer with a child-care service, a school or a program, activity or service, as a person
      responsible for the child’s welfare or having direct volunteer contact with children as the purpose
    • Select Other as the Volunteer Category
    • Input CCC as the Agency Name
12. After submitting all information, select Submit Application

FBI Fingerprint Based Record Check

Volunteers who have lived in PA for the last 10 years may complete the “FBI Fingerprint Waiver” in place of the FBI Check. Volunteers who have not lived in PA for 10 years are required to get the FBI Fingerprint Based Record Check .