What is a Pa State Child Abuse Clearance?

The Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) requires certain individuals to obtain clearances in order to be employed, be a resource parent (foster or adoptive), or be a volunteer with children. The purpose for requiring clearances is to provide employers and those selecting volunteers with information to use as a part of a larger decision-making process when determining whether to hire someone as an employee or select them as a volunteer.

Clearances are required for an employee or unpaid volunteer at a minimum of every 60 months from the date of the oldest clearance. Clearances may be required more frequently based on licensure or employer requirements.

Agencies and organizations must ensure that clearances are obtained in accordance with the CPSL. The required clearances may include:

• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance;
• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check; and
• Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal History Background Check (required for all employees and some volunteers).

Sources: http://www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov/resources/clearances/pachildhistory/index.htm