SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Field Placement Office
Clearance Requirements
Introduction
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s School Code requires that students in teacher preparation programs have current background checks prior to entering a school building. This applies to all field experiences, classroom observations, practicum experiences and student teaching inclusive.
Therefore, Holy Family University students must register the following documents with American DataBank before entering a school building. The URL for American DataBank is American DataBank charges a fee of $25 per year for registration and processing.
  • Tuberculosis (PPD) Test
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance (Act 151)
  • Pennsylvania Criminal History Background Check (Act 34)
  • Federal Criminal History Record/Fingerprinting (Act 114)
  • Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (Act 24)
Students are to retain the originals of all documents in their possession! Documents should be secured in a safe place. Students should be prepared to produce them at school or district sites upon demand.
More detail on each requirement appears below. Each document must be kept current and up-to-date in accordance with University guidelines. Maintaining current and up-to-date documents will require the student to reapply for clearances in a timely manner. This is the student’s sole responsibility! As clearances are renewed, students are to update their American DataBank account. The Field Placement Office will monitor student status online.
Tuberculosis (PPD) Test
Students must have this test administered and confirmed by their family physician. Results are to be submitted to the Field Placement Office over the physician’s signature. Each test is valid for one year from the date of issue.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance (Act 151)
The student must complete and mail an application to the Department of Welfare. A money order must be enclosed with the application in the amount of $10.00, payable to the Department of Welfare. This clearance is valid for one year from date of issue. Processing time is approximately four to six weeks. Questions can be directed to (717) 783-6211. A copy of the application can be retrieved from the following site.
Pennsylvania Criminal History Background Check (Act 34)
The student must complete an application online. The student must pay a processing fee by credit card. The fee is currently $10.00. This clearance is valid for one year from date of issue. Questions can be directed to (1-888-783-7972). The link to the application site appears below.
Federal Criminal History Record/Fingerprinting (Act 114)
The student must register and pay a fee online. The fee is currently $28.75. This clearance is valid for one year from date of issue. Proceed as follows.
  • Register and pay online. A credit card is needed. Visit and click on the Department of Education link.
  • Print the receipt after paying the fee.
  • Take the receipt and a photographic identification card to a Cogent fingerprinting site. Nearby sites are listed below. Retain possession of the receipt.
  • Print the report online. Or, alternatively, take the receipt to the Field Placement Office. Cogent fingerprinting sites in proximity to Holy Family University:
Know It All Intelligence GroupSouth Street Business Center
1950 Street Road, Suite 402744 South Street
Bensalem, PA 19020Philadelphia, PA 19147
Hours: M-F, 9:00 – 4:00 PMHours: M-F, 9:00 – 7:00PM; Sat., 11:00 – 4:00
888-281-9535, extension #3215-592-8000
Goin PostalUPS Store #2473
2058 County Line Road3720 Spruce Street
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006Philadelphia, PA 19104
Hours: M-F, 10:00 – 6:00PM; Sat., 10:00 – 3:00PMHours: M –F, 10:00 – 4:00PM
215-674-9796215-222-2840
Penndel Hardware StoreUPS Store #3263
119 Bellevue Avenue1735 Market Street, JFK Entrance
Penndel, PA 19047Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: M-TR, 8:30 – 5:30PM Hours: M-F, 10:00 – 4:00PM
SAT, 8:30 – 4:30PM, SUN, 10:30-2:30PM215-567-6006
215-757-2711
A Second Chance, Inc.
Penn Treaty Park Place
1341 North Delaware Avenue, Suite #101
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Hours: M, T, TR, F, 10:00-1:00PM,
W, 3:00-6:00PM, First SAT of month, 10:00-2:00PM
267-597-3990
Please note that students seeking placement in New Jersey must also undergo fingerprinting in that state. Visit for more information.
Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (Act 24)
Act 24 of 2011 requires the student to complete an Arrest or Conviction Report and Certification Form known as PDE-6004. This form must be completed uploaded to American DataBank. . The student is also required to use this form to report subsequent arrests or convictions of Section 111(e) crimes within seventy-two (72) hours of the occurrence of such arrest or conviction. A copy of the PDE-6004 form can be retrieved from the link below. A listing of applicable Section 111(e) crimes is included on the form.
Questions may be directed to the Field Placement Office, ETC 441/338, (267) 341-3363/3666