Contractor Clearances

On April 26, 2018, the Board of Education adopted Policy 818, which states that if contractors and their employees will have direct contact with children, background clearances are required. Those clearances include:

  • Federal Criminal History Background Check
  • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record
  • Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance
  • Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Form
  • Certificate of completion of a mandatory 3-hour training on child abuse recognition

Additionally, while performing services for the District, contractors and their employees that will have direct contact with children must submit the following form within seventy-two (72) hours of an arrest or conviction for an offense listed in 24 P.S. § 1-111(e) (included on form):

Who needs the clearances listed above?

If you are performing work in our schools, there is a strong likelihood that clearances will be required.

All contractors and their employees are subject to all of the above listed clearances if they will have direct contact with the children, which is defined as “the possibility of care, supervision, guidance, control of children OR routine interaction with children” (22 Pa. Code § 8.1). The School District of Philadelphia will determine if a contractor meets the definition of “direct contact with children,” but in general it applies broadly to any person performing services inside the school or on the school grounds when students are present.

How do I get these clearances?

Please click here for comprehensive guidance on obtaining the clearances listed above.

How long does it take to get the clearances?

All clearances can be completed in a single day, except the Child Abuse Clearance, which usually takes two weeks.

I have the clearances — where do I submit them?

Contractors should maintain records of all clearances for themselves and their employees, as per the terms of all District contracts. Upon the start of a new contract, the District will contact contractors with instructions on submitting clearances.