Child Clearances for ECPA Odyssey of the Mind Coaches
PA Required Clearances for Coaches
Odyssey of the Mind, you are required to obtain and maintain child abuse clearances to ensure a safe environment for our participants. Pennsylvania law requires all adults supervising minors in public or private organizations, including Odyssey of the Mind, to obtain and submit verified state and federal clearances. This applies to all head coaches, co-coaches, assistant coaches, and volunteers supervising other people’s children.
The sponsoring school or organization you represent must maintain these clearances on file. Additionally, Millersville University, the venue for the EC-PA Regional Tournament, contractually requires EC-PA to collect clearance documentation from all coaches. Head coaches are responsible for ensuring that all co-coaches, assistant coaches, and volunteers have documented clearances with their sponsoring organization and that the verification form is completed. All clearances must be submitted by February 2, 2026.
How to Obtain Clearances
1. Child Abuse Clearance
Obtain your Child Abuse Clearance through Pennsylvania’s online portal. Create an account, submit your request electronically, and choose to receive results via email or mail within 14 days. Alternatively, you may complete a paper application and submit it via US mail.
2. PA State Police Criminal Background Check
Complete the PA State Police Clearance online for instant results. This process is entirely digital and provides immediate feedback.
3. FBI Clearance (If Required)
If you’ve lived outside Pennsylvania in the past 10 years, you must complete an FBI Clearance. Register online for fingerprinting, visit a Cogent fingerprinting site, and obtain a tracking number upon completion. Submit this tracking number to PA Odyssey of the Mind, as federal law prohibits direct access to FBI results. If you’ve resided in Pennsylvania for the last 10 years, you may submit an FBI Disclosure form instead.
Register for FBI Fingerprinting
Download FBI Disclosure Form
If You Already Have Clearances
If you’ve already obtained your Pennsylvania-required clearances, follow these steps to submit verification:
- Download and print the Letter to Organization Administrators with Clearances Checklist.
- Submit the Letter/Checklist to your sponsoring organization’s designated administrator. Request that they:
- Copy the form onto official school/organization letterhead or attach a “Verified” page on letterhead.
- Complete the checklist to verify that your clearances are on file.
- Sign and date the document.
- Once the administrator has completed and signed the checklist, sign and date it yourself. Send the completed document to:EC PA Odyssey of the Mind
c/o Zina Jensen
125 Hickory Rd
Carlisle, PA 17015
Alternatively, email it to clearances.ec@paodyssey.com.
All clearance verifications must be submitted by February 1, 2024.