Who to Call Regarding Background Check Results in the State of Pennsylvania

Beginning December 1, 2008, the applicants’ scanned fingerprints will be forwarded directly from Cogent Systems to the FBI. The report from the FBI will be sent electronically to Cogent Systems. The report will then be available online, in a secure server, for review by Administrators from approved school entities. The Administrator will review the applicant’s report, once the Administrator receives the applicant’s Registration ID.

Under normal circumstances, the applicant should expect the CHRI report to be available to the Administrator within two days of being fingerprinted. Applicants are advised to keep a copy of their Registration Receipt that includes their Registration ID. A copy of the receipt may be obtained at https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pde.htm. Please click on Proof of Transaction (Receipts).

Applicants who requested a paper copy of the report when they registered will receive a paper copy of the report, via U.S. Mail, from Cogent Systems. The report will be mailed to the address used by the applicant for registration. The paper copy will be printed on 8.5” X 11” paper with the Department of Education logo imbedded on the paper. This document does not constitute the official record – it is considered the “unofficial copy”, the official CHRI report is online.

How do I check to see if my CHRI is available online?

After your fingerprints have been submitted, do not contact the fingerprint site. The applicant can check their “proof of print” on the Cogent website, by going to: https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pde.htm. Click on Proof of Transaction (Receipts).

What happens if the FBI cannot read my fingerprints?

If an applicant’s’ fingerprints are not readable by the FBI, the applicant will be notified by Cogent Systems to return to the Livescan site to be fingerprinted again. If the second set of fingerprints cannot be read, Cogent will notify the Department of Education, and the Department will initiate a “name check” of the applicant with the FBI. The name check process takes, on average 3 – 4 weeks. Because this situation may occur, the Department of Education and Cogent Systems advises applicants to register and be fingerprinted at least 4 weeks prior to when the applicant will need the report for their application.

What if I was fingerprinted prior to December 1, 2008 and have not received my report?

Applicants who were fingerprinted prior to December 1, 2008, received an official report, on paper from the Department of Education. If you were fingerprinted prior to December 1, 2008, and have not received your report, please contact the Department of Education’s School Services Unit at : 717-783-3750, or email:

RA-PDESchoolService@state.pa.us