Three clearances arerequired by law from anyone working or volunteering with children:

To be in compliance with the State of Pennsylvania, the following background screenings are required as of July, 2016.

Individuals age 14 and over receiving financial compensation for their services must compete all three background screenings, including the FBI finger print screening.

Individuals ages 18 and over wishing to volunteer must complete and pass the following background screenings (depending on the length of residency in the State of Pennsylvania):

  1. Criminal Record Check (Criminal History Clearance):The website for filing for theRequest for Criminal RecordCheck (Form SP4-164) is:
  1. PA Child Abuse Clearance:The website for filing for the PA Child Abuse Clearanceis:

(There is an $8 fee associated with each of these first two clearances for paid staff, but the church will reimburse the childcare worker for this cost upon receipt of the clearance.)

  1. State regulations last year have added the requirement for all paid staff (and for certain volunteers) to also complete theFBICriminal History Background Check (=Fingerprinting check).

Volunteerswho havenotlived in Pennsylvania continually for the past 10 years have to undergo the same fingerprinting check.

Volunteerswho havelived in the state of Pennsylvania continually during the past 10 yearsdon't have to undergo the fingerprinting check, but are asked instead to sign anaffidavit.

Here's a link to get to this affidavit:

--For your convenience, the process for receiving the FBI Criminal History Background Checkis outlined below :

The FBI Criminal History Background Checkis a fingerprint based check for which you must first register with Cogent Systems, at

  1. The applicable fee is $25.75. This may be paid online via credit card, at the time you register, or via money order or cashier’s check delivered at the fingerprint site.

The church will reimburse the childcare worker or volunteer for this cost upon receipt of the clearance.

  1. When registering, select “Register Online” under the “Registration” section to open the online registration form.
  2. Do not check the box next to “Fingerprint Card User”. Select “Employment…” or “Volunteer” as the Reason to be Fingerprinted, and then complete all of the required Personal Information before clicking “Next.”
  3. Enter your credit card and billing information and select “Pay”.
  4. Print the confirmation page as you will need the confirmation or registration number when you go to get fingerprinted. The confirmation page will also serve as proof you have requested this clearance.
  5. Visit one of the designated locations to get fingerprinted. Fingerprint locations, their hours of operation, and a list of what you’ll need to take with you can be found under the “Print Site Locations” section of the Cogent site.

FINGERPRINTINGis also availableby appointmentin the Peters Township Community Recreation Center to township residents and individuals employed by a township businesswho are required obtain this clearance for employment or volunteering. Fingerprinting hours change week to week, please contact the Parks and Recreation at (724)942-5000 to schedule your appointment. Online registration and payment is required prior to your fingerprinting appointment, please see step by step registration guide above.

  1. Results will be mailed to you, but could take as long as 4-6 weeks.

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