Volunteer Background Check
Requirements by State
Every state has different rules for when nonprofits must screen volunteers. Find your state's specific laws, covered roles, and required check types below.
Find Your State
Click any state to see its specific laws, required check types, and compliance tips.
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Most-Asked States
These states have the most complex volunteer screening requirements.
Pennsylvania has one of the most comprehensive mandatory volunteer background check regimes in the country, enacted via Act 153 of 2014 in response to the Jerry Sandusky/Penn State scandal. Any unpaid volunteer with direct contact with children must obtain three separate clearances: a Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check, a PA Department of Human Services child abuse history clearance, and (for non-10-year PA residents) an FBI fingerprint check. Clearances must be renewed every 60 months.
California imposes mandatory background check requirements for volunteers in youth-serving organizations under AB 506, and for volunteers in community care facilities under existing CDSS licensing rules. The state operates the CalVECHS program through the DOJ for qualifying nonprofits. Not all volunteer roles are covered — requirements hinge on contact frequency, sector, and whether the organization is licensed or a youth-serving entity under the Business and Professions Code.
Florida has one of the strongest state-level volunteer screening frameworks, centered on a two-tier background check system (Level 1 and Level 2). Level 2 fingerprint-based checks are required for volunteers working with children, elderly, or disabled individuals in regulated settings. A 2024 law expanded Level 2 requirements to cover youth sports coaches and volunteers, effective January 1, 2025. The FDLE's VECHS program provides access for nonprofits.
All 50 States — A to Z
Browse every state's volunteer background check requirements.
FCRA Compliance Guides
Federal FCRA requirements apply whenever you run a background check on a volunteer through a CRA, regardless of state law.
The Complete Guide to Volunteer Background Checks for Nonprofits
FCRA Adverse Action for Volunteer Organizations: A Step-by-Step Guide
How Much Does a Volunteer Background Check Cost? (2026)
Church Volunteer Background Check Requirements
Volunteer Screening Best Practices: The Complete Guide
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