skip navigation

ON-ICE OFFICIALS MUST COMPLY WITH PENNSYLVANIA ACT 15 SCREENING POLICY

Updated January 2023

All officials who live or officiate games in Pennsylvania must comply with a law known as Act 15. As a result of new law, the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (a.k.a. The Atlantic District) has established policies that officials who are registered in the Atlantic District must read, understand, and follow, otherwise they will not be permitted to accept officiating assignments.

If you are under 14 years old, you do not need to complete the PA Act 15 process.  

Required PA Documents to Comply with Act 15:

  1. Fingerprint based FBI Criminal History background check report
  2. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance report from the PA Department of Human Service
  3. Pennsylvania State Police criminal history report

1. FBI Criminal Background Check

This is the screening step that should be started first because it takes the most time to complete which includes an online questionnaire and an in-person appointment to be fingerprinted.

Go to this link and select Digital Fingerprinting: https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania

Additional Information

  • Provide the following service code 1KG756.
  • Then click on “Schedule or Manage Appointment”.
  • Choose “Name / Method of Contact” on the Essential Info page.

The FBI Criminal Background Check requires completion of a detailed questionnaire. On the Employer page of the Identogo registration process, provide the following information:

Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association

PO Box 291

Ho Ho Kus, NJ 07423

The fee for FBI screening is currently estimated at $23.85. You must pay the fee for FBI screening at the Identogo Service Center by credit card or money order.

2. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check

Go to the following website and complete the process: https://epatch.state.pa.us/

Follow the instructions for an individual request and the reason for the request is Employment.

The fee for this report is $22.00 payable by credit card.

3. Pennsylvania Child Abuse Screening

This screening is generally completed within 14 days through and online form.

Go to the following website and complete the process: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

You must follow the instructions for an employee, not a volunteer. Select the category of screening that refers to employees 14 years or age or older who work for sports organizations.  

To complete this process you will need:

  • All addresses where you have lived
  • Names and ages of your immediate relatives

The fee for this report is $13.00.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PA ACT 15 DOCUMENTS

All Officials are required to submit the of clearance documents to NCSI will be uploaded when completing USA Hockey’s online screening

Once you have all three (3) required PA documents complete the NCSI background check and upload them into NCSI’s Document Repository Service (DRS).

NCSI will contact you directly if there are any questions, problems or issues related to your specific information. An email address is required when completing the document upload as their contact with you will largely be electronic. Please be sure to add ncsisafe.com to your list of acceptable domains in your email program to receive notifications from NCSI.

If you have any questions or problems submitting your information, please email applicantservices@ncsisafe.com or call the NCSI at (440) 542-9833 or toll free (866) 833-7100.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OFFICIALS BETWEEN 14-17 YEARS OLD

-For officials between 14 and 17 years of age who live in Pennsylvania and have lived in Pennsylvania for the last 10 consecutive years, an Exemption Process exists for the FBI Background Check. For more information, email screening@aaharefs.org.

-For officials between 14 and 17 years of age who currently live in Pennsylvania but moved to Pennsylvania within the past 10 years, email screening@aaharefs.org for more information.

-These is no Exemption Process for the FBI Background Check for officials between 14 and 17 who are not currently residents of Pennsylvania.

-There is no Exemption Process for the FBI Background Check for officials of any age claiming to be volunteers.

-For officials of any age who have FBI Background Check documents issued by any other agency than the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, contact screening@aaharefs.org for more information.