NAZARETH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Directions to Obtain
Required Clearances for Volunteers
The Child Protective Services Law / Act 153 (effective 12/31/2014) requires all School Employees,
Contractors, and Volunteers having routine, direct contact with children to obtain new clearances every 60
months (Act 15 of 2015 changed this requirement from 36 months). This includes child abuse, state and
federal criminal history checks. Below are instructions for obtaining clearances.
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO KEEP A COPY OF EACH CLEARANCE FOR YOUR RECORDS
ARREST/CONVICTION REPORT AND CERTIFICATION FORM / ACT 82
 Print form from the Human Resources Volunteer section of website OR go to
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/background_checks_%28act_114%29/7493 ;
halfway down the page click on Arrest & Conviction Report.
 Print, sign, and return to Human Resources.
PA STATE POLICE CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD / ACT 34
 https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
 Select “Volunteer (or whatever wording is similar)” for the purpose of request entry.
 All fees will be waived beginning July 25, 2015.
 Results are typically instantaneous unless they are “under review” in which case, note your reference number
and date of application and use that information to check back on the “epatch” website periodically until your
results are available.
 Print clearance (be sure to click all the way through to the “certification form” button – the document you print
must show your SSN, DOB, etc.).
 Submit to Human Resources.
PA CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE / ACT 151
 https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
 Create an account with a valid email address, following directions.
 Check “Volunteer (or whatever wording is similar)” for the purpose of clearance box.
 All fees will be waived beginning July 25, 2015.
 Response time may be immediate if done online (make sure to print) or up to two weeks if mailed.
 Submit to Human Resources.
FBI FEDERAL CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD
 https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pde.htm
 Make certain to you are utilizing the Cogent System for the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOT the Department
of Public Welfare. We cannot accept FBI clearances through the DPW and you will be required to re-submit the
clearance including paying the fee and getting fingerprints taken a second time.
 Register and pay with credit/debit card ($27.00).
 Print receipt with your Cogent PAE/Registration ID and take it to a fingerprint location to get fingerprinted. The
most convenient locations to Nazareth are The UPS Store #4803, 1866 Leithsville Rd (412 South) in Hellertown
(Giant Plaza) or The UPS Store #4628, Eagle Valley Mall, 221 Skyline Dr, East Stroudsburg. There is also a
location in Allentown on Lehigh Street.
 Make sure to bring Registration ID and Photo ID with you to fingerprinting site.
 The processor will provide you with a receipt with your “PAE” number.
 Submit to Human Resources.
**Note: The FBI check may be waived for a prospective unpaid volunteer “if they have been a resident of this
Commonwealth during the entirety of the previous ten-year period” and the volunteer “swears or affirms in
writing” that they have not been convicted of any crime, in another state, similar to the conviction disqualifying
a person in PA. NASD will be utilizing a standard form to do this following the July 1, 2015 effective date.