Background Checks

In accordance with USPC Policy 0900 and its Procedures, "USPC requires satisfactory completion of USPC-approved background checks and of USPC-designated educational training modules of individuals specified in the procedures. These must be completed prior to these individuals assuming positions or beginning specified membership terms."

It has become the standard among youth-serving organizations to require volunteers working with children to complete a criminal background check. USPC began developing a program for background checks in 2008. As a predominantly youth-serving organization committed to the safety and security of members and volunteers, USPC must adhere to best practices by requiring a completed, favorable, background check for adult members, leaders, and volunteers over the age of 21.

Who is responsible for completing a background check?

All Club, Center, and Regional leaders and volunteers, as well as participating members of USPC age 21 and over, are required to complete a favorable USPC or USEF background check. If applicable, residents of Pennsylvania may need to submit valid a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Check.

Regular instructors/clinicians, local-level instructors, and volunteers having ongoing contact with members are required to complete both a favorable USPC or USEF background check, or a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Check, and provide proof of SafeSport™ Trained Core Course completion. If applicable, residents of Pennsylvania may need to submit valid a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Check.

If you have already completed a favorable USPC or USEF background check within the last three years, or Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Check within the last five years, you will not need to submit a new USPC or USEF background check or clearances at this time. Upon expiration, a new USPC or USEF background check or clearances will be required.

Which background check am I required to submit?

The three questions below are designed to assist individuals in determining the correct choice of background check that will meet their specific needs as a leader, member, officer, or volunteer of Pony Club. Please be sure to read each question, and the details that follow, carefully to reduce the need for additional fees or time. Questions? Contact the Compliance Coordinator for assistance.

Are you a Regional Officer, Club Officer, Center Leader, or Local Examiner/Instructor?

All Region Officers, Club Officers, and Center Leaders, as well as those volunteers who are Local Examiners/Instructors, regardless of participating membership status, are required to take the Leader/Officer/Volunteer Background Check.

For those with a current USEF or U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USPOC) Background Check: You may email any of the following proof of a current USEF/USPOC background check to admin@ponyclub.org:

Screenshot of your USEF or other sport’s Dashboard showing your name, current background check with date.
Copy or clear photo of your USEF Licensed Official or other sport’s membership card stating current background check with date.

Do you reside in Pennsylvania? Skip to the next section (blue) for your specific background check requirements.

Are you an adult member participating with a club, center, or nationally, who does not also hold a leadership or volunteer position? Please skip to the third section (green).

Do you reside in Pennsylvania?

All Region Officers, Club Officers, and Center Leaders, as well as those volunteers who are Local Examiners/Instructors, regardless of participating membership status, who live in the state of Pennsylvania are required to take the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Check.

Are you a Treasurer residing in Pennsylvania? Please follow instructions for our Leader/Officer/Volunteer background check, and DO NOT submit the three (3) Pennsylvania clearances. Please use the above section (red) to complete your required background check.

Are you an adult member participating with a club, center, or nationally, who does not also hold a leadership or volunteer position? Please skip to the next section (green).

Are you an Adult Member (21 years of age or older)?

All adult members participating with a club, center, or nationally, who are not also a Regional Officer, Club Officer, Center Leader, or Local Examiner/Instructor and do not reside in the state of Pennsylvania, are required to favorably complete the Adult Member Background Check prior to attending any Pony Club activities.

Are you also a Regional Officer, Club Officer, Center Leader, or Local Examiner/Instructor? Please use the first section (red) to complete your required background check.

For those with a current USEF or U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USPOC) Background Check: You may email any of the following proof of a current USEF/USPOC background check to admin@ponyclub.org:

Screenshot of your USEF or other sport’s Dashboard showing your name, current background check with date.
Copy or clear photo of your USEF Licensed Official or other sport’s membership card stating current background check with date.

Do you reside in Pennsylvania? Please use the section (blue) above for your specific background check requirements.

Completing a Leader Background Check

By clicking the red button above (Leader/Officer/Volunteer Background Check), leaders and volunteers will be redirected to the Fastrax website, where they will be asked to sign-in via a secure portal, and directed to enter and submit their information to complete the background check.

After reading and signing a release, leaders and volunteers will submit information about himself/herself, including legal name, address, and social security number. Payment will be requested through a secure terminal upon submission of information. For additional information regarding fees, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Completing a Member Background Check

Using the green button above (Adult Member Background Check), Adult participating members now have the option to complete a member background check. This background check DOES NOT satisfy the requirements of a leader or volunteer background check and is only for adult members who hold no leadership or volunteer position within the organization.

Need more information?

Contact the Compliance Coordinator with any additional questions or concerns regarding submitting a background check.

Important Instructions for Success

Enter your legal name as printed on your Social Security card. Background checks with incorrectly entered names, dates of birth, or Social Security numbers do not produce results and will require additional fees for resubmission.
If your legal last name is hyphenated, please use a space instead of a hyphen in the last name field.
If you have changed your name and/or address recently, please contact the USPC Compliance Coordinator before submitting your USPC background check. Working with our background check provider, we can recommend the appropriate way to enter your information.
If you have a Junior, Senior, or numerals after your last name, please do not enter those in the last name field. Please indicate those along with other names you may be using in the box titled Notes.