Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s (DPW) FBI Background Clearance

The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 (IU29) is a regional provider of FBI background clearance digital fingerprinting.

The purpose of this page is to ensure individuals are aware of Act 73 of 2007 which was signed by Governor Edward G. Rendell on December 18, 2007.  Act 73 amended Title 23, Pa. C.S. Chapter 63 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law), specifically § 6344 as it relates to background checks required as a condition of employment/approval.  We recommend that all affected persons, including foster and adoptive parent applicants and their adult household members, child care service employees and administrators, individuals applying for employment with a significant likelihood of regular contact with children, persons seeking to operate child care services, self-employed family day care providers and family day care home household members age 18 and over, as well as Community Rehabilitation Residential (CRR) host home families, and respite provider families become familiar with both the law and regulation

The law also requires that as of July 1, 2008, any prospective employee of a child care service, person seeking to operate child care services, individuals applying for employment with a significant likelihood of regular contact with children, self-employed family day care provider and family day care home household member age 18 and over, as well as Community Rehabilitation Residential (CRR) host home family, and respite provider family must obtain a fingerprint based FBI background check prior to approval

DPW FBI Clearance Process

	Applicants must register prior to going to a fingerprint site.  Registration can be completed either on the phone or online.
	1.	The web site to register is www.pa.cogentid.com and is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  Payment by credit card will give you a separate confirmation number as proof of payment.  Bring this with you at time of finger printing.
	2.	Telephone registration is available at 1-888-439-2486, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm EST.  Payment by credit card will give you a separate confirmation number as proof of payment.  Bring this with you at time of finger printing.
	3.	All applicants receive a confirmation number that you must bring with you at time of fingerprinting.
	4.	The fee for the FBI clearance is $35 and can be made online with a credit card or by bringing a Money Order/Cashiers Check payable to Cogent Systems to the fingerprinting site.  NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
	5.	Once this registration has been completed, you can visit either of the sites (without appointment) any time during the posted hours of service.

Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Facilities

	In order to be fingerprinted, all applicants must have:
		Registration confirmation number,
		Valid photo ID,
		Money Order or Cashier's Check payable to Cogent Systems or confirmation number when paying by credit card.
	Fingerprints will be taken at two locations:
		The Lifelong Learning Center in the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville (click here for directions). Normal hours of Operation run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
		Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 (click here for directions). Normal hours of Operation run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
	Fingerprints will be scanned electronically, sent to the PA State Police.  The FBI will send results to DPW.
	Results of the Federal Criminal History Report will be forwarded to the applicant by DPW.

For more information about this mandate, click here to go to the state Department of Public Welfare's Child Welfare Services Page.