Required Clearances for Education Programs

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Required Clearances

Steps to secure background checks

In order for you to participate in some education courses and to observe classrooms, tutor students, etc., you will need to have background checks done. So that you have your clearances when classes begin, you should apply early for these screenings.

Clearances do not need to be renewed if you are continuously taking classes at Montco. If you skip a semester, you will need to repeat all checks.

As per the new policy in Pennsylvania, you can apply for the Criminal Background Check and the Child Abuse Check under the category of “volunteer”. In this case, applying for those clearances will not cost you any money.

Procedures for clearances

Criminal Background Check
  1. Go to the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History website
  2. Select the “New Record Check (Volunteers Only)” button.
  3. Read the terms and conditions
    • Check the verification box after reading the terms and conditions
    • Click Accept
  4. Fill in the Personal Information form – the volunteer organization is “Montgomery County Community College”
  5. Click Next
  6. Click Proceed
  7. Complete the Record Check Request form and click “Enter This Request”
  8. Click “View Queued Record Check Requests”
  9. Click “Submit”
  10. Select the control number
  11. Click on “Certification Form”
  12. Save and print this certificate
Child Abuse Check
  1. Go to the PA Child Welfare Portal
  2. Select Create Individual Account
  3. Read the information under “Welcome” then click “Next"
  4. Create a Keystone ID. This is a unique username chosen by you. Complete all required fields and select “Finish”.
  5. At this point, you will need to go to the email account you selected and wait for your password to be delivered to your email address. You will receive 2 emails from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The first one will confirm your username and the second email will contain your temporary password.
  6. Click on the Child Welfare Portal option near the bottom of the email; this will take you to the PA Child Welfare Information Solutions Website where you choose Individual Login.
  7. On the next screen you will choose “Access My Clearances”. The next screen says “Learn More”. Scroll to the bottom and click “Continue”.
  8. Now you will see the screen to login using your newly created Keystone ID. The next screen will prompt you to set your permanent password. Verify your account. When you are congratulated, click “Close Window”.
  9. Log in again using your new permanent password. Scroll to the bottom of the page, click the box saying you have read the conditions, then click “Next”.
  10. Read the information on the next page and then click “Continue”.
  11. Click “Create Clearance Application”. On the next page, click “Begin”.
  12. Choose “Volunteer Having Contact with Children”. Choose “Other” and fill in “Montgomery County Community College”.
  13. Complete all sections of the application – clicking on “Next” at the bottom to move to each page of the application.
  14. E-sign your application and “Submit Application”.
  15. You will receive an email notification regarding the completion of your child abuse clearance. It will contain a link to access the certificate.
  16. Select “Please Click Here”
  17. Select “Individual Login”.
  18. Select “Access My Clearances”.
  19. Enter your Keystone Login and Password.
  20. You will see a screen that says, “My PA Child Abuse History Clearance”. Near the bottom of the page, click “To view the result, click here”. This will provide you with a pdf version of your clearance – save and print it.
FBI Fingerprinting Background Check
  1. Go to the IdentoGO website
  2. When you are prompted to enter a Service Code (as volunteers), type in 1KG6ZJ.
  3. Fill out all required information.
  4. Search for an “IndentoGo” location to complete your clearance fingerprinting. Make an appointment.
  5. At your appointment, you will need to pay $22.60 (the website will indicate forms of payment accepted). Make sure to bring the form of ID that you indicated when registering.
  6. You will receive your results via email and mail. Do not open on a cellular device. You will only have one opportunity to open your emailed clearance and you must save it at that time in order to be able to access it again.
Mandated Reporter Training

Mandated reporters include individuals paid or unpaid who, on the basis of the individual’s role as an integral part of a regularly scheduled program, activity or service, accepts responsibility for a child. You must complete this free 3-hour Mandated Reporter Training online. The training needs to be repeated every 5 years.

  1. Go to the PA Child Welfare Resource Center website
  2. Print the certificate that you earn once you complete the training.
NSOR/ National Sex Offender Registry
  1. Go to the National Sex Offender Registry website
  2. Print out and complete the application.
  3. o There is no fee for this certificate and the purpose of NSOR is “Volunteer of a child-care provider, group-daycare home or family child care home”.
  4. You must mail the completed application to the
    Department of Human Services
    PO Box 8170
    Harrisburg, PA 17105-8170;
    or email the application to RA-PWNSOR@pa.gov.
  5. It may take up to 14 days after application has been submitted to get your certificate.