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​What is Work Registration? 

Work registration is a Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC) requirement where claimants must register with PA CareerLink® within 30 days after filing an unemployment claim.

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For more information on how to complete work registration requirements, please review the Work Registration user guide.  

Are work search and work registration the same thing?  

No. Work search requires you to apply for two jobs and complete one work-search activity every week. Work registration requires you to register for employment-search services through PA CareerLink® within 30 days after filing an unemployment claim. 


Can I be exempt from work registration? 

You are exempt from the work search or work registration requirements for a week if you satisfy one of the exemptions below: 

Work Search Exemptions
 ​Work Registration Exemptions
  You actively participated in a department approved work search activity or program.
   You are participating in the Shared-Work program.
​ You receive work through a union hiring hall and are in good standing at the time you are filing for UC benefits.
   You are in training approved by the department or under the Trade Adjustment Act.
​ You are participating in the Shared-Work program.
   You are required to participate in the Pennsylvania Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) at a PA CareerLink®. 
​ You are in training approved by the department or under the Trade Adjustment Act.
 ​   You are laid off due to a lack of work and have a written recall date from your employer.

Note: This exemption expires if the recall date is rescinded or has passed. You are required to keep a copy of the recall notice and notify the UC Service Center of your return-to-work date.
  You are required to participate in the Pennsylvania Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) at a PA CareerLink®. 
 ​
​ You are laid off due to a lack of work and have a written recall date from your employer.

Note: This exemption expires if the recall date is rescinded or has passed. You are required to keep a copy of the recall notice and notify the UC Service Center of your return-to-work date.

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Please reference the UC Handbook for more details. 


I currently live in another state. Do the work registration requirements affect me? 

Yes. You must register for employment-search services within 30 days after filing for benefits. 

    • If your local labor market is outside of Pennsylvania, you must register with the state employment service that serves your local labor market. 
    • If your local labor market is within Pennsylvania (either you live in PA, or commute to PA for work) you must register for employment-search services through PA CareerLink®.  

For more information about work registration, please visit Work Search/Work Registration FAQs.  

When attempting to register, if you receive a message saying that you may already have an account in the system, do NOT assume that you are fully registered for UC purposes. Contact your local PA CareerLink® office to determine if you have an existing account and completed the UC registration requirement.