Conducting Criminal Record Checks in Pennsylvania

An employer in Pennsylvania may consider misdemeanor and felony convictions in making criminal records inquiries but only to the extent that the arrests or misdemeanors relate to an applicant's suitability for the position.

All prospective employees of public and private schools, intermediate units and area vocational-technical schools, including independent contractors and their employees, must submit with their employment application conviction data from the Pennsylvania State Police or a statement from the Pennsylvania State Police that no such data exists for that person.