Applicant Background Checks
American DataBank

Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Instructions

After you have completed the online order application, all applicants must complete the PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form. You have two options for completing this portion of your background check. Please make sure to follow the steps below in order to complete this.

RN-BSN Online Applicants

RN-BSN Online applicants performing their clinical experiences OUTSIDE of Pennsylvania are EXEMPT from the PA Child Abuse Clearance requirement.


Paper Submission

  • Download the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Registry Form
    Fill out ALL required fields on the Child Abuse Registry Form. Be sure to sign the form in the designated areas.
  • Payment
    Submit the Child Abuse Registry Form and a $13.00 Money Order to:

    Childline and Abuse Registry
    Department of Human Services

    P.O. Box 8170
    Harrisburg, PA 17105-8170

    The $13.00 Money Order is required to complete the process for the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.

Pennsylvania Child Abuse Form
Download the Form Here


Electronic Submission

  • The Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance application can now be submitted online. Click Here to Submit An Application Online
  • Creating an account and submitting your clearance application online will give you immediate access to your results or the status of your results if your results cannot be processed immediately.
  • Once you enter the Child Welfare Portal, you must create an account or log in if you already have an account.
    Note: you will need a valid email address to create an account.

PA Child Abuse Instructions
Download & Read Instructions BEFORE Submitting

Pennsylvania Child Welfare Portal
Click Here to Submit Application Online

Watch the "How to Process PA Child Abuse
History Clearance" video below.

Pennsylvania Child Abuse


Submit Your Results – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Within 2 days of receiving the results from the State of Pennsylvania you must then upload a copy of the results to your Complio Account. This can be accomplished by following the instructions below:

  1. If you received your results via Email, please login to your Complio Account and upload the digital copy.
  2. Paper Copies - Scan & Upload Your Results – convert the results into digital format and upload them into your Complio Account. The results can be converted into digital format by taking a picture of the results with your cell phone, a digital camera or scanner.

Your order WILL NOT be completed until these results have been uploaded in to your Complio Account, which may delay the acceptance process.