The Pennsylvania Department of Education has made an important update regarding an extension of the FBI fingerprint-based background check clearance. Provided below is information from the PDE website outlining the details of the extension.
Signed into law on May 8, 2020, Act 18 provides additional time for school employees to renew their FBI fingerprint-based background checks due to the pandemic. Under Act 18 of 2020, individuals required to renew their FBI fingerprint-based background checks every 60 months have until December 31, 2020 to complete this process. The renewal extension provided under Act 18 only applies to the FBI fingerprint-based background check. It does not provide additional time for school employees to renew other required clearances (Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse Report). In addition, the renewal extension does not apply to new hires in schools.
How the Extension May Affect You and Your Employees Personally:
If your FBI fingerprint-based background check due date…
- Has recently expired, then you have until 12/31/2020 to complete the process
- Expires between now and the end of 2020, then you have until 12/31/2020 to complete the process
- Is due in 2021 or beyond, then your renewal date remains the same
Although Act 18 of 2020 provides a renewal extension for the FBI fingerprint-based background check, it is recommended that applicants attempt to have their fingerprints processed prior to December 31, 2020.
To learn more about Act 18 and the renewal extension, visit PDE’s webpage Act 18 of 2020 During COVID-19.
For more information on how Comply can help track all background check and clearance due dates as well as Act 48 hours, visit our Comply web page.