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Required Clearances for Working in Pennsylvania Schools

All prospective employees of public and private schools, intermediate units and area vocational-technical schools, including, but not limited to, teachers, substitutes, janitors, cafeteria workers, independent contractors and their employees, except those employees and independent contractors and their employees who have no direct contact with children, are required to provide: 1) a Pennsylvania Criminal History, 2) a Child Abuse History Clearance, 3) a Federal Criminal History Record, and 4) a P.P.D. Tuberculin Test. In addition, any student or student teacher candidate participating in any classroom teaching, internship, clinical or field experience shall provide all information required of an employee or prospective employee.

For detailed information about these requirements, refer to the Act 34 and Act 151 Background Checks from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

When Should You Request Clearances?

Undergraduate students should begin the process for obtaining each of the four clearances as soon as you:

  1. Register for a course that requires in-field work (a sample list provided below). Check comments on the Schedule of Classes to determine if clearances are needed for a specific course.

    • Education 2289: Field Study
    • Early Childhood Education 2321: Curriculum Development
    • Early Childhood Education 3322: Observing, Documenting and Assessing
    • Elementary Education 3287: Practicum: Teaching Elementary Child N-6
    • Elementary Education 3387: Teaching Math & Science Elementary Child
    • Math Ed 3145: Teaching Math in Middle Grades
    • Math Ed 3146: Materials in Secondary Math
    NOTE: Students who fail to provide the instructor with clearances information on or before the first day of classes may, at the discretion of the instructor, be dropped from the class.
  2. Submit your application for practicum or student teaching.

    NOTE: Students enrolling in Practicum or Student Teaching must submit your clearances online at http://edportal.temple.edu (login as student and then select "Clearances" from the list.) You will not be permitted to begin your practicum or student teaching assignment without submitting clearances information.

Graduate Students should begin the process for obtaining each of the four clearances as soon as you:

  1. Register for a course that requires in-field work. Check comments on the Schedule of Classes to determine if clearances are needed for a specific course.
  2. Due to the variety of research requirements and opportunities that may involve working directly with schools or students, it is recommended that Graduate Students complete clearances as soon as they begin their program in the College of Education and keep them current through graduation.

How to Obtain Required Clearances

Clearances Summary (links open in new window)
Required Clearances Valid Period Can be Obtained Fee/Cost
The Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records (Act 34) Good for the duration of your program, as long as you are continuously enrolled. Pennsylvania Access to the Criminal History (PATCH) System $10.00
The Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151) Good for one calendar year from the date of issue. Must be renewed every year. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare PDF form (online) $10.00
The Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114) Good for the duration of your program, as long as you are continuously enrolled. Pennsylvania Department of Education: Instructions for registering. $40.00
*When you have your fingerprints completed for the Federal Criminal History Record (above) electronically, please request that you receive a hard copy of your fingerprints! You will need to pay an additional fee at the time you are fingerprinted.
 $2.50
P.P.D. Tuberculin Test Must be current with in one year and renewed each year. Student Health Services: 1810 Liacouras Walk, 4th floor or at your primary care physician. $4.00

NOTE: Students enrolling in Practicum or Student Teaching must submit your clearances online at http://edportal.temple.edu (login as student and then select "Clearances" from the list.) You will not be permitted to begin your practicum or student teaching assignment without submitting clearances information.

Questions and Assistance

For questions about clearances related to a course, please contact your instructor. For questions related to student teaching, please contact the Student Teaching Office: email: student.teach@temple.edu or phone: (215) 204-6070.