Moved to PA -- Need FBI Fingerprint Checks (???)

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

Published

Specializes in LTC & Private Duty Pediatrics.

All:

- I just moved to Pennsylvania a few weeks ago, and interviewed for an agency position this

afternoon.

- I was informed that since I have not been a resident of Pennsylvania the past two years, that

I need to get an FBI background check and fingerprints.

- Does anyone here know how to go about this process in Pennsylvania? Also the costs, and

timeframe?

- It's 10:30pm and the agency is closed until tomorrow morning. Also, did not find much online.

- I have no criminal record ... so am hoping I can get this over pretty quick.

Thanks!!!

Johnny.

I had to get fingerprinting done to start nursing school in PA and we had to go to http://www.pa.cogentid.com/index.htm

and sign up from this website through the department of welfare because you have to be pre registered before you go to a site to get your finger prints scanned. We also had to get a background check done at the same time and for the total of everything it was $36.00.

If you go to that website all the information should be there and you have to look up local fingerprinting centers near you to go get them done.. it takes about 2 weeks for them to come in the mail!

Hope that helps!

Specializes in LTC & Private Duty Pediatrics.

Hi there:

- The past few days have been quite a learning experience.

- Why doesn't the PA BON post this information on their website.

- After talking with three separate LTC Agencies, I've learned that if you have not been a resident of Pennsylvania for the two years prior to employment, you must do the following:

1. Get a PA State Police background check ... costs $10, and can do online (they take credit cards), and the process takes about 10 minutes.

2. Go to the local police dept (the PA State Police don't have the fingerprint cards, at least not here in State College or Hollidaysburg). I paid $30 at Altoona police station for fingerprints.

3. Go to fbi.gov and print out their forms. They take credit cards, just have to fill out another form and sign it.

4. Fill out forms, and mail credit card info (with signature), fingerprint card, and fbi form. Send all this to the FBI down in West Virginia. Wait 6 to 12 weeks for an answer.

5. Take the information from the PA State Police search, and the FBI search to the agency and then you can work.

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- I thought you had to go through the PA Dept of Aging to do this, but nope. You go through the FBI directly, at least for the nursing home bit. I am an RN (took NCLEX-RN in PA), but have only lived here 2 months, not 2 years.

- Hospitals do not have this requirement.

- However, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, wants you to have the same two types of certifications that are required for teachers. (fingerprints and child abuse clearance).

---------------------------

- Does the b.s. ever end? I love calling three different places and getting three different answers. Argggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Johnny.

Hospitals do also have that requirement. They just usually won't make you go through all of that until you've been hired, then they'll do it at their expense. It's really of benefit if you can go to your interview with all of that information in hand and ready to work.

Specializes in LTC & Private Duty Pediatrics.

All:

- What gets me ... is the PA BON doesn't mention anything about this on their website, at least not out in

the open where you would stumble upon it. You'd think it would be right there on the license application

page.

- I knew it would take 6 to 8 weeks from graduation until passing boards and getting the license in my

hand. However, this FBI Background check/fingerprint process could have been started at the same

time. Instead, it's another 6 to 8 weeks of down-time.

- Such is nursing.

Johnny

Because it's not a BON requirement, they don't post it on their website. It's up to each agency or facility to which you apply to determine what their requirements are.

Agency/institution specific! Major hospitals, however, usually don't except it from you, they are willing to incur the expense themselves. I just hot hired at a major facility and they didn't take my FBI, Childline, nor my PA State Police background checks.

Specializes in Critical Care (ICU and ER).

Didn't have to go to PSP for my prints. Took forms from my employer and went to the UPS store. They have the digital fingerprint submission to the FBI for Childline abuse screens and background checks. Had a copy of the results in ten business days. It was one of the least painful things I had to deal with for a nursing license.

Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.

I just started working in PA and my employer required it not the state when I applied for licensure. I went to a UPS place and had it done. I got the results mailed to me within 2 weeks. It did not delay my start day.

Since I live in NJ I had to have prints done a several years ago after the Charles Cullen murders but that was for the state.

What happens if you do have a criminal record. Will the Board of Nursing reject your application. My conviction happened 10 years ago for a fake id. My fingerprints comes back with a positive record. Does anybody recommend a lawyer who specializes in RN license applications?

i thought PA did not require fingerprints for RN license.

I have this question also. I'm finishing nursing school in Georgia but applying for my license in Pennsylvania. Georgia requires a finger print based background check sent straight to the BON. However, I can't find any information on what Pa requires. It just says criminal history background with no specifics. Anyone applied recently?? what did you submit?

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