Volunteer Instructions and Forms
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has specific requirements that must be followed before volunteers are allowed to be in the presence of students in public school districts. To assist you in completing all requirements for volunteering, please follow the steps below and return all information to the building administrative assistant where you will be volunteering. Clearances completed within the last five years, may be accepted (unless the individual has a record). Hover over and click on the underlined form titles below to access and print all forms and instructions for completing criminal background clearances. All forms and clearances must be sent to the administrative assistant at the building where you will be volunteering. Volunteers for athletics should provide all information to the Human Resources Coordinator.
- Arrest Conviction Report and Certification - Complete the Arrest Conviction Report and Certification form and return it to the administrative assistant at the building you will be volunteering in.
- Photo ID - A photo ID with your current name and address must be presented to the building administrative assistant.
- Confidentiality Agreement - Read, and be aware of the contents of the Confidentiality Agreement.
- TB (Tuberculosis) Testing - A TB test is required within 3 months of volunteering. The form must be completed by a health care provider.
- Volunteer Verification Form - If you have lived in Pennsylvania within the last 10 years, you must complete this form for exemption from providing an FBI Federal Criminal History Clearance (fingerprinting).
- Criminal Background Clearances - Act 153 of 2014 requires all school employees volunteers to obtain background checks periodically, and upon hire. Clearances must be submitted before the commencement of volunteering or service and must be obtained every 5 years. You will receive notification from the district when your clearances are required to be updated. Child Abuse and State Police clearances are free for volunteers.
If you have not lived in Pennsylvania for the last ten years, you are required to complete the FBI fingerprint clearance as well. A fee will be applied for this clearance and will be required when registering.
Links and instructions for obtaining your clearances are provided below. Click the link in each block to go to the website for the clearance check.
PA State Police Clearance (Act 34)
Completion online (click the link above) will give you immediate access to your clearance.
- If the status is "No Record": Double-click on the control number on the screen, then click on the Certification Form. Your clearance will be displayed and can be printed or saved as a pdf at that point.
- If the status is "Request Under Review": You should periodically check the website to determine the final status. The result will eventually show up as "No Record" or "Record". If it shows the latter, a response will be mailed to you. Otherwise, navigate to the "Certificate Form" and print it or save it as a pdf.
- If the status is pending: You should periodically check the website to determine the final status. If it remains pending for more than 24 hours, call the Helpline at 1-888-783-7972.
- Printing your background clearance: You may receive the results immediately and will be required to print your clearance certificate at that time.
PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
Completion online (click the link above) may be completed within a day, or could take up to 2 weeks.
- The system will take you to a screen to create a Keystone ID for your account.
- You will receive an email with a "temporary" password to access your account and change your password.
- Use the Keystone ID and password you create to start the application. Please be sure to remember this Keystone ID/password for future use. This site is also used for online ChildLine referrals and clearance renewals in three years.
- You must be prepared to supply information about all the addresses you have lived and every person you have lived with since 1975.
- Completion will provide you with online access to your clearance within 1 to 2 weeks and, in some cases, immediately. Additionally, you can choose to have your clearances sent to your mailing address.
- You will be notified by the Child Welfare Service by email when your clearances have been completed, and you will be required to return to your portal to access and print the clearance certificate.
FBI Criminal Background Clearance (Act 114)
Remember, you only need to complete this clearance if you have lived outside of Pennsylvania for the last 10 years. If you have lived in Pennsylvania for the last 10 years, you only need to complete the volunteer verification form to exempt you from this clearance.
You must preregister (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) online at the link above or by call 1-844-321-2101 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm)
When registering online or by phone you must use the service code: 1KG6ZJ
- Payment may be made online when registering using a debit or credit card. Payment may also be made with a bank card, money order, or business check at the fingerprint location. Money orders and business check must be made out ot IDEMIA. NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECK will be accepted at the fingerprint sites.
- Once registered, you can have your fingerprints taken at any locations listed on their site. When registering online, you can view locations.
- You must provide proof of identity upon arrival at the Fingerprint Center, such as a state-issued driver's license, state ID card, passport, etc.
- Please provide a copy of your clearance which includes the UEID number to the building administrative assistant where you will be volunteering.
Examples of Volunteer Services That Require Clearances
Volunteer Athletic Coaches
Chaperones for Field Trips
Book Fair Volunteers
Yearbook parent helpers (elementary)
RIF parent helpers
Clerical Helpers/Classroom Helpers
Tutors or One-on-One Help (meeting with students not in a public location)
After-school Tutors (College Students)
Fundraiser Assistance
Picture Day Volunteer
Miscellaneous School Events during the school day-individuals helping with an event/program with students
Dance Chaperones
Foreign Trip Adult Attendees/Chaperones
Band Booster Chaperones
Senior Class Trip Chaperones
Environmental Education Camp Volunteers
Athletic Booster Club Programs/Activities if the volunteer is left alone with students
Examples of An Individual Considered To Be A Visitor
Color Day - parents attending to watch students
Cultural Arts Day/Career Day Presenters as long as they are not left alone with students
Parents eating lunch with their children
Concession stand workers as long as they are not left alone with students
Guest readers and guest speakers
The above volunteer and visitor examples are not an exhaustive list.