How do I get a Pennsylvania PATCH letter for my worker?

Last updated: October 28, 2026

Applies to: Staffing partners whose client needs a Pennsylvania criminal history check (PA PATCH) for a worker, most often for healthcare assignments in Pennsylvania. Clients and workers cannot order screenings, so this does not apply to them.

Summary: To get the letter from Pennsylvania stating that no criminal history was found, order PATCH using the option whose vendor is listed as Internal. Ascen runs that check and adds the state's letter to the worker's Onboarding tab under Screening Files. A PATCH ordered through the screening provider option does not come back with that letter, so if one was already ordered and your client wants the letter, email support@ascen.com and we will run the PATCH internally.

Why only the Internal option includes the letter

PATCH is Pennsylvania's state criminal history check. It can be ordered through a screening provider or run by Ascen directly (the option listed as Internal). The screening provider returns a PATCH result but does not provide the letter from the state, so that result does not meet a client's request for "a letter from PA stating no criminal history". When Ascen runs the PATCH, the state's letter is what we add to the worker's file.

How to order PATCH so it comes with the letter

If your role on the account allows ordering screenings (Owners, Admins, Managers and Recruiters generally can):

  1. Open the worker's assignment.

  2. Go to its Screenings tab.

  3. Click Create New Screening and choose PATCH with the vendor listed as Internal.

If you do not see that option, or you would rather we order it, email support@ascen.com with the worker's name, the client or assignment, and a note that you need PATCH with the Pennsylvania letter.

Where to find the letter

Open the worker's record, go to the Onboarding tab and scroll down to Screening Files. The letter is added there once the check is complete. This is the same place other finished screening reports appear.

If the PATCH shows as completed but no letter appears under Screening Files, email support@ascen.com with the worker's name and say which letter you need.

If PATCH was already ordered and your client rejected the result

This happens when the PATCH was ordered through the screening provider option and the client then asks for the state letter instead. You do not need to order anything new yourself:

  1. Email support@ascen.com with the worker's name and the client or assignment, and say the client needs the letter from Pennsylvania.

  2. We run the PATCH internally and add the letter to that worker's Onboarding tab under Screening Files.

  3. We let you know when it is there.

For your next Pennsylvania placement, choose the Internal PATCH option from the start so the letter comes back with the check.

The Pennsylvania child abuse clearance is a separate check

The Pennsylvania child abuse clearance (often called CWIS) is not part of PATCH. The worker completes it by following the steps we provide and signing an acknowledgment in their Ascen portal. We can also send you the steps so you can help the worker through them.

If the worker already obtained the clearance on their own and it does not need to be run again through Ascen, email support@ascen.com and we can remove it from the worker's screenings.

Getting help

Email support@ascen.com for anything about a worker's screenings: ordering PATCH, a letter that is missing from Screening Files, or removing a check you no longer need.

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