Pennsylvania Volunteer Background Checks

There are three background checks that are required for all adults who will be volunteering with youth organizations in Pennsylvania

  • Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (see item #1 below)
  • Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services (see item #2 below)
  • One of the following:
    • If you have lived in Pennsylvania for less than ten years or you do not live in Pennsylvania – Fingerprint-based Federal Criminal History (see item #3 below)
      OR
    • If you have lived in Pennsylvania continuously for ten years or more – complete the Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers

If you have already obtained these checks due to another volunteer position or job, you must provide us with copies.

Instructions for Obtaining Clearances

#1 Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police

  1. Visit https://epatch.pa.gov/
  2. Click New Volunteer Record Check.
  3. Read Disclaimer, click the check box and click Accept.
  4. Enter Volunteer Organization Name: Boy Scouts of America
  5. Enter Volunteer Organization Telephone Number: 570-390-7066
  6. Once you enter all required information click Next and review your personal information. If the information is correct, click Proceed. Otherwise, click back and make necessary changes.
  7. Enter all required information on the Record Check Request Form and click Submit This Request.
  8. On the Record Check Request Review page, click Submit.
  9. On the Record Check Request Results page, wait for the process to complete – do not close the page. Once the status bar goes away, click on the Control #.
  10. Click on the Certification Form link and click Ok.
  11. Click the Print link at the top of the page to print a copy of the certificate. Also click Save to save a copy of the form for your own records.
  12. YOU MUST PRINT OR SAVE THE RESULTS, they will not be mailed to you.

#2 Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services

  1. Go to http://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
  2. If you have never requested a Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services:
    1. Click CREATE INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT
    2. Click NEXT (bottom right side of page)
    3. Complete all required fields
    4. Note: Keystone ID is anything you want but must be 6 to 64 characters
    5. Once you are done entering all of the information, click FINISH
    6. The next screen that comes up says: Check your email for your temporary password. Please close this browser window. Check your email for your temporary password.
    7. Go to http://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
    8. Click INDIVIDUAL LOGIN
    9. Click ACCESS MY CLEARANCES
    10. Read the disclosure and click continue at the bottom right hand corner.
    11. Enter your username and temporary password.
    12. Click Login.
    13. You’ll be prompted to verify your account:
      • Click Start under Email Security Code.
      • Open your email and get the security code. Enter this into the form and click Submit.
    14. If prompted to choose the type of device, choose either Private (if nobody else uses your computer/phone/tablet) or Public or Shared (if somebody else uses or owns the device).
    15. Enter a new password and click Submit.
    16. Click Close window and you will be taken back to the login page. Follow the steps below and use your new password to login.
  3. If you have previously requested a Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services:
    1. Click INDIVIDUAL LOGIN.
    2. Click ACCESS MY CLEARANCES.
    3. Read the disclosure and click continue at the bottom right hand corner.
    4. Enter your username and password and click Login.
    5. If you’re prompted to verify your account:
      • Click Start under Email Security Code.
      • Open your email and get the security code. Enter this into the form and click Submit.
    6. If prompted to choose the type of device, choose either Private (if nobody else uses your computer/phone/tablet) or Public or Shared (if somebody else uses or owns the device).
  4. If your clearance is still current:
    • Click To view the result, click here to download and print your certificate.
  5. If you need a new clearance (you have never requested one or yours is out of date):
    1. Read and accept any disclaimers that may appear (this seems to differ based on if you’ve logged in before and/or requested clearances previously).
    2. On the My PA Child Abuse History Clearances page, click CREATE A CLEARANCE APPLICATION.
    3. Read the Getting Started page and click Begin.
    4. On the Application Purpose page
      • Choose Volunteer having contact with children
      • Volunteer Category: Select other
      • Agency Name: Boy Scouts of America
      • Click Next
    5. On the Applicant Information page, enter the required information and click Next.
    6. On the Current Address page, enter the required information and click Next.
    7. On the Previous Address page, enter the required information and click Next.
    8. On the Household Members page, enter the required information and click Next.
    9. Review the information on the Application Summary page and click Next.
    10. On the eSignature page, enter the required information and click Next.
    11. On the Application Payment page, select No (a fee is not required for volunteer applications) and click Next.
    12. You will receive an email within the next few days (often within the same day), indicating that the review has been completed. When you receive the email:
      • Follow the link in the email.
      • Click INDIVIDUAL LOGIN.
      • Click ACCESS MY CLEARANCES.
      • Read and accept any disclaimers that may appear (this seems to differ based on if you’ve logged in before and/or requested clearances previously).
      • If prompted, login with your Keystone ID.
      • If you’re prompted to verify your account:
      • If prompted to choose the type of device, choose either Private (if nobody else uses your computer/phone/tablet) or Public or Shared (if somebody else uses or owns the device).
      • Click To view the result, click here to download and print your certificate.

#3 Fingerprint-based Federal Criminal History

If you have lived in Pennsylvania for ten years or more, complete the Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers. Otherwise, follow the instructions below.

  1. To find the closest location near you: https://www.identogo.com/locations
  2. Go to: https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania
  3. Click on Digital fingerprinting
  4. Enter the following code: 1KG6ZJ and click Go
  5. Click Schedule or Manage Appointment
  6. Follow the instructions and enter all of your information as requested.
  7. On the Service Summary page, click Print Status to print the page. Take this and the required documents with you to fingerprinting location.
  8. The report will be sent to you after your appointment.