The College of Education’s Clearances Policy requires that all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in College of Education courses that require observation hours and fieldwork submit updated copies of the following clearances to the Castle Branch (CB) documents Service or the Employment Verification Form (once a year). 

All clearances (TB, Child Abuse, State Police, and F.B.I.) are valid one year from the date of issue. Students are to keep the originals in their possession and submit copies of each clearance by the appropriate deadline to be assigned to a field experience placement. All documents must be uploaded to Castle Branch or if you have an employer who has your clearances on file then complete an employment verification form.

Clearances Required:

• PA Criminal Record Check (Act 34)
• Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
• F.B.I Fingerprint (Federal Criminal History Record – Act 114) 
• Health Assessment including a P.P.D. Tuberculin Test – Immunization history portion is not required
  - Can be completed by your primary care physician or at any minute/health clinic.
  - Note: undergraduate students can get their TB test completed on campus at Student Health Services
  TB Test and Student Liability Insurance are only required for student teaching semester

***  School districts/placements may have additional requirements for candidates.   Candidates will be required to complete any additional paperwork/supplemental items required by the district.

The required clearance documentation must be submitted as an assignment to the College of Education Brightspace site. Students must upload one of two clearance verifications:

Screenshot of approved Castlebranch clearances

OR

Employer Verification Form (if you are completing your field experience at your place of Employment and are therefore not required to open a Castlebranch account)

*Students are required to submit copies of field experience log sheets for every course to the appropriate assignment submission on the College of Education Brightspace site.

The College of Education at Eastern University follows the Clearances Policy for background checks of persons working with children as mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Act 24 of 2011, Act 34 of 1985, and Act 114 and Act 151 of 2006. Learn more information about the clearances.