Skip to main content
Penn State Harrisburg
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Programs
  • Admissions and Financial Aid
    • Office of Admissions
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Alumni & Supporters
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Workforce Professionals
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Harrisburg
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Diversity and Inclusion at Penn State Harrisburg
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
    • Board of Advisers
    • Administration
    • Chancellor's Office
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Minors
    • Graduate or Postbaccalaureate Certificates
    • Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees
    • Education Certifications and Endorsements
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Student Life

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Workforce Professionals

Helpful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Give Today
  • Directory
  • Events Calendar

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
  1. Home
  2. School of Behavioral Sciences and Education
  3. Teacher Education
  4. Required Clearances

Important Clearance Information for Teacher Candidates

  • In order to comply with Pennsylvania School Law and adhere to our district partner's policies, Penn State Harrisburg requires valid, updated clearances on file prior to the start of any semester where a teacher candidate will engage in work with minors. Thus, clearances are required for the following students:

    • All students enrolled in CI 295 or EDUC 313

    • All Elementary Education majors

    • All SESST majors

    • All students in undergraduate or post-baccalaureate Secondary Education programs for English, Math, or Social Studies

  • Teacher candidates will not be permitted to enter the field until all five required documents are submitted and reviewed. Failure to submit the required clearances by the stated deadlines may result in a delayed field experience, the loss of a secured field placement, and/or disciplinary action.

  • Clearances and TB test results will ONLY be accepted through the Clearance Canvas titled Clearance Submission for Teacher Education. Clearances submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.

  • Background clearances are valid for one year and cannot turn one year old during a semester. Please note that TB tests must be dated within 90 days of the first day in the field.

  • In addition to the required federal and state clearances, a Waiver to Release Medical and Clearance Records is required by PSH to participate in a field experience.

  • Only PDFs will be accepted via the Clearance Canvas. Please be sure that the PDF captures all necessary information and is easy to read.

  • Clearances are due the first week in August for the Fall semester and the first week in January for the Spring semester. We strongly suggest this time frame for background clearances to cover two academic semesters.

  • Clearances must be clear (no record) and valid (do not expire) for the entire semester during which there is a field experience.

  • Clearances are required prior to working with minors in any capacity for any amount of time as a PSH student. Teacher candidates must obtain clear background checks before entering any public or private schools in Pennsylvania for the purpose of completing educational field experiences and student teaching.

  • Keep originals of all clearances accessible while attending field placements. You may be asked at any time by staff in schools to produce original documents. You are expected to comply.

  • Failure to submit the required clearances by the stated deadlines may result in a delayed field experience, the loss of a secured field placement, inability to successfully complete a course with a field, and/or disciplinary action.

  • In the event you have arrests or convictions on any clearance document, you are required to make an appointment with the Clinical Coordinator to discuss continuation in the teacher education program. You should not report to any field experience site without first meeting with the Clinical Coordinator.

  • In the event, you receive an arrest or conviction during your time in a course with a field component, you are expected to contact the Clinical Coordinator within 72 hours of the incident.

  • Be sure to review all of the information included in the Clearance Canvas thoroughly. After you have done so, if you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Ms. Jessica Stephens, Clinical and Field Coordinator at [email protected].

Flowchart: Do you need to submit clearances for Fall 2021?

 

Download clearances' flowchart as PDF

Flow Chart image Do you need to submit clearances for Fall 2021? - see outline after image

Flowchart Outline Description

Title: "Do you need to submit clearances for fall 2021?"

Top of chart begins Q1: Are you taking a course with a Field Experience in fall 2021?

  • If yes, proceed to Q2: "Do you have existing Clearances?"
  • If no, then go to Q3: "Are you anticipating enrolling in a course for spring 2022?”

Q2: Do you have existing Clearances?

  • If yes, proceed to Q4: "Is the issue date on the clearance December 10, 2020 or after?”
  • If no, please see modules in Clearance Canvas to obtain required clearances and submit no later than August 9, 2021.

Q4: Is the issue date on the clearance December 10, 2020 or after?

  • If yes, proceed to Q5: "Have you uploaded required clearances by August 9, 2021?"
  • If no, please see modules in Clearance Canvas to obtain required clearances and submit no later than August 9, 2021.

Q5: Have you uploaded required clearances by August 9, 2021?

  •  If yes, proceed to Q6: "Are all assignments marked as ‘complete’ in the Clearance Canvas?"
  • If no, please see modules in Clearance Canvas on how to upload the required documents no later than August 9, 2021.

Q6: Are all assignments marked as ‘complete’ in the Clearance Canvas?

  • If yes, then you have successfully submitted the clearances required for a field experience in fall 2021.
  • If no, then Review comments made on incomplete assignments and review modules in Clearance Canvas to determine necessary steps to complete the assignments.

Q3: Are you anticipating enrolling in a course for spring 2022?

  • If yes, proceed to Q7: "Do you have existing clearances?"
  • If no, check back on Clearance Canvas in April of 2022.

Q7: Do you have existing clearances?

  • If yes, proceed to Q8: "Is the issue date on your clearances May 6, 2021 or after?"
  • If no, please see modules in Clearance Canvas to obtain required clearance and submit no later than January 3, 2022."

Q8: Is the issue date on your clearances May 6, 2021 or after?

  • If yes, proceed to Q9: "Have you uploaded required clearances by January 3, 2022?"
  • If no, please see modules in Clearance Canvas to obtain required clearance and submit no later than January 3, 2022.

Q9: Have you uploaded required clearances by January 3, 2022?

  • If yes, proceed to Q10: "Are all assignments marked as ‘complete’ in the Clearance Canvas?"
  • If no, please see modules in Clearance Canvas on how to upload the required documents. Note: The deadline for submission is January 3, 2022.

Q11: Are all assignments marked as "complete" in the Clearance Canvas?

  • If yes, then you have successfully submitted the clearances required for a field experience in spring 2022.
  • If no, then review comments made on incomplete assignments and review modules in Clearance Canvas to determine necessary steps to complete the assignments.

Fall 2021 Clearance Submission Deadline: August 9, 2021
Spring 2022 Clearance Submission Deadline: January 3, 2022

Teacher Education

  • Certification Programs: How to Apply
  • Required Clearances
    • Important Clearance Information for Teacher Candidates
  • Teacher Testing
    • Preparing to take the Basic Skills Assessments
    • Certification Testing
    • CAEP Annual Reporting Measures
  • Act 45 and Act 48
  • Accreditation and Licensure
  • Scholarships
  • Teacher Education Council (TEC)
  • Teacher Residency Collaborative – an alternative to traditional student teaching
    • FAQ
  • Capital Area Writing Project
    • Teaching Tip Videos
    • CAWP Pathway for Non-Literacy Education Candidate
    • The Fellowship
    • Our Fellows & Leadership Team
    • Testimonials
  • Mission and Vision
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Administration
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Board of Advisors
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Academic Calendar
  • Admission
    • Office of Admissions
    • Housing Options
    • Veterans
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Office of Student Aid
    • Bursar's Office
  • Research
    • Office of Research and Outreach
    • Harrisburg LaunchBox
  • Student Life
    • Office of Student Life
    • Student Affairs
    • Student Initiated Fee
  • Community Safety & Health
    • University Police and Public Safety
    • PSUAlert
    • Weather Policy
Penn State University
777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 717-948-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State