FBI CLEARANCE INFORMATION (ACT 114)
In addition to Act 33 (Child Abuse) and Act 34 (Criminal History) clearances, all education
personnel are required to complete a fingerprint-based background check. Please read
the entire bulletin for information regarding how to obtain this clearance.
All information is available at the following website:
Official State Website: www.pa.cogentid.com
General Information: Beginning April 1, 2007 all individuals working within public and private schools, intermediate units, and area vocational- technical schools will be required to have the fingerprint-based background check. This is in addition to the regularly required clearance (Act 33 and Act 34) that must be on file for Clarion University, and the participating institutions where Clarion students complete field work such as student teaching, externships, or internships. Any student entering the University beginning Fall 2007 must have this background check. All majors contained in the College of Education are affected: PreK-4, PreK-4/Special Education K-8, Middle Level 4-8, Secondary 7-12, Intervention Specialist Dual Degrees (Reading Specialist/SPED K-12), Integrated Middle Level with Special Education Dual Degrees K-8, Library Science K-12, Modern Languages K-12, Music Education K-12, Rehabilitative Science, and CSD).
You can get your clearance done locally at the Riverview Intermediate Unit #6, 270 Mayfield Road, Clarion, PA.
How to Obtain the FBI Clearance (ACT 114):
Resister PRIOR to going to the fingerprinting site. This may be done at www.pa.cogentid.com under the "Register Online" tab. You may also call 1-888-439-2486 to register over the phone, Monday thru Friday 8 am to 6pm. Riverview I.U.# 6 walk-in applicants with their registration are welcome!
The cost for the record check is $36.00 and may be done online at the same website using a credit or debit card. Money orders or cashiers checks made payable to "Cogent Systems" can be taken to the actual fingerprinting site as well. No cash transactions or personal checks are allowed.
The site closest to Clarion University is located in the Intermediate Unit 6 (IU 6). Their hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 7:30a-12:30p and 1:00p-3:00 pm (closed on holidays). Watch for information regarding a mobile unit being brought to the campus. This takes place during the first couple weeks of each semester. Check for signs and fliers around Stevens Hall, your Clarion email, and the OFS website.
For a list of other locations, click the "Print Location" tab on the www.pa.cogentid.com website and then choose which county best suits your need.
An official ID must be taken to the site for fingerprinting. A driver's license is an accepted form of ID. If the individual does not hold a drivers license, a state issued identification card or a college ID card WITH a photo may serve as a substitute. If these three options do not work for you, click the "What to Bring" tab for a list of acceptable documents. You will also need to know your Social Security Number.
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning December 1, 2008, the applicants’ scanned fingerprints will be forwarded directly from Cogent Systems to the FBI. The report from the FBI will be sent electronically to Cogent Systems. The report will then be available online, in a secure server, for review by Administrators from approved school entities. The Administrator will review the applicant’s report, once the Administrator receives the applicant’s Registration ID.
Under normal circumstances, the applicant should expect the CHRI report to be available to the Administrator within two days of being fingerprinted. Applicants are advised to keep a copy of their Registration Receipt that includes their Registration ID. A copy of the receipt may be obtained at https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pde.htm. Please click on Proof of Transaction (Receipts).
Applicants who requested a paper copy of the report when they registered will receive a paper copy of the report, via U.S. Mail, from Cogent Systems. The report will be mailed to the address used by the applicant for registration. The paper copy will be printed on 8.5” X 11” paper with the Department of Education logo imbedded on the paper. This document does not constitute the official record – it is considered the “unofficial copy”, the official CHRI report is online.
Clarion University will only require the ACT 114 check once during the time the student is enrolled at the University. However, a school district and/or agency may require that it may be completed again when it comes time to do field work prior to graduation. Those students who will need the ACT 114 clearance again will be contacted by the Office of Field Services.
For questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Marion K. Echols-Clark, mecholscla@state.pa.us , (717) 772-3618, FAX : (717) 214-4389. please provide her with the following information:
- name
- phone number(s)
- reason for inquiring into status
- date of birth
- SS# (optional)
- PAE number from registration receipt
- date fingerprinted (from fingerprint receipt)
