The deadline for Pennsylvanians needing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history background checks as a condition of employment is December 31, 2020. Earlier this year, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf signed Act 18 of 2020, which extended the time period for certain professions required by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) to obtain an FBI background check upon hiring.
In order to receive an FBI background check:
- Fingerprints must be submitted as part of the criminal history check.
- Fingerprint scans can be taken at any IdentoGO location in the commonwealth.
Under Act 18 of 2020, some individuals who are required to obtain an FBI background check were given additional time to meet this requirement because of closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. New hires and individuals seeking a renewal of the FBI Criminal History Background Check have until December 31, 2020, to obtain the check. All individuals required to obtain additional clearances, including the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check and the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, must still obtain these clearances prior to employment. Both of these clearances can be obtained online.
As of January 1, 2021, failure to obtain the FBI background check prior to employment and every 60 months thereafter will result in noncompliance with the CPSL and will prohibit individuals from working with children.
IdentoGo Locations
- A map of all open IdentoGO locations is available here.
Many IdentoGO locations were temporarily closed in the spring, and this map is updated as offices reopen or new offices open. Anyone seeking fingerprinting services should call IDEMIA’s customer service at 844-321-2101, to ensure the location is still operating, schedule an appointment, and discuss necessary COVID-19 safety precautions.
For Employers
If employers have a large number of employees needing new or renewed clearances, arrangements can be made to have fingerprinting occur at the workplace. Mobile fingerprinting services are available for an additional fee through IDEMIA for groups of 20 or more needing clearances. Agencies with this need should contact IDEMIA to schedule.