Act 33 and Act 34 clearances can be applied for electronically through the websites of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). The PDE contains a section called Cogent Systems, which is a section dedicated to helping people apply for clearances mandated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). In Pennsylvania, individuals pursuing professional careers as teachers must clear federal requirements for Act 33, Act 34 and Act 24 before beginning work that involves interacting with students.
Acts 24, 33 and 34 are part of the Pennsylvania Public School Code laws that help protect the safety of students when they interact with professors, teachers and other school staff. Act 24, also called the New Clearance Act, screens candidates for prior convictions and felonies that would disqualify them from being suitable candidates for employment at a school. This act lists a variety of prohibited offenses and requires potential teachers to complete and submit a proper form for the Pennsylvania Department of Education to report prior arrests.
Act 33 checks applicants for prior convictions involving child abuse. Forms for this act are completed on the PDE website, and are subsequently directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
Act 34 involves a criminal record check, which is overseen by the Pennsylvania State Police. This check is available for applicants through the website of the PDE.
