Clearances for ABCS

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OFFICE HOURS FOR SPRING 2023 HAVE ENDED. PLEASE EMAIL MYETUNDE@UPENN.EDU TO PROCESS CLEARANCES.

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If you have already completed the clearance process with Penn in the past 5 years, before doing any of these steps, email myetunde@upenn.edu and backgroundchecks@hr.upenn.edu to check that your clearances are on file and valid. In addition to students who have already gotten clearances for another program, all Nursing, Dental, and Medical school students should already have completed clearances. Review Frequently Asked Questions about clearances HERE.

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FOR DOMESTIC (NON-INTERNATIONAL) STUDENTS:

Per Pennsylvania law and Penn policy, all Penn students interacting with minors more than once in a semester, virtually or in-person, must complete three clearance checks: PATCH - PA Criminal History Search, PA Child Abuse, and Idemia fingerprinting for your FBI clearance. Additionally, all students working with School District of Philadelphia schools must complete mandated reporter training. All documents must be on file with the University to be fully cleared. To complete your clearances:

 

  • STEP 1: Take 15 minutes to complete PATCH - PA Criminal History Search by following these instructions.

 

  • STEP 2: Attend virtual clearance office hours to recieve instructions on completing PA Child Abuse and to schedule your Idemia fingerprint appointment for your FBI clearance. Virtual ABCS clearance office hours are every Monday 1:00pm - 2:00pm and Tuesday 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Sign up for virtual clearance office hours HERE. You must complete Step 1 before you attend clearance office hours. If you are unavailable during clearance office hour times, email myetunde@upenn.edu.*

Sign up for ABCS clearance office hours

Virtual ABCS clearance office hours are every Monday 1:00pm - 2:00pm and Tuesday 2:00pm - 3:00pm.

  • STEP 3: Attend your Idemia fingerprint appointment that will be scheduled during clearance office hours. Your FBI clearance will be sent by email 24 hours after your fingerprinting appointment. Send a PDF copy to: Cri.8ii5pzlyhxhdzqwq@u.box.com.

 

  • STEP 4: If you are working with a School District of Philadelphia school, complete the 3-hour mandated reporter training by following these instructions.

 

*If your ABCS class is hosting an ABCS Clearance Workshop, you will do this clearance during class time instead of registering for these office hours. It is essential that you still complete Step 1 before the workshop.

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FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON A (F-1/J-1) VISA WHO HAVE NOT WORKED IN THE UNITED STATES

Per the Department of Human Services, international students who have not worked in the United States before do not need the same three clearances as domestic students. Instead, you will sign an affidavit. Additionally, all students working with School District of Philadelphia schools must complete mandated reporter training. All documents must be on file with the University to be fully cleared. To complete your clearances:

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FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON A (F-1/J-1) VISA WHO HAVE WORKED IN THE UNITED STATES

Follow the same process as domestic students.

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FOR ABCS FACULTY: You have the option of requesting a 30-minute ABCS Clearance Workshop during your class time. During this session, staff from HR will conduct clearance office hours (STEP 2) for all students at once. Workshops are available for classes held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am - 3:00pm. They can be requested online here:  ABCS Course Clearance Workshop Request (upenn.edu). If you would like a workshop and have class at a different time, email abcscoordinator@sas.upenn.edu to discuss options.