Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Is there a fee for using PA-SHARE?
PA-SHARE includes four levels of access to accommodate user needs for interacting with PA SHPO. Additional functionality will be available for different levels of access.
Guest Access: Ideal for one-time or infrequent users. As an anonymous user, no account or login is required.
Basic Access: Ideal for users who do not need enhanced data, mapping and tracking functionality. A free account is required. Users access PA-SHARE using either Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (CWOPA) or Keystone Login credentials.
Pro Access: Ideal for preservation or planning professionals, students, small non-profits or municipal governments. A paid subscription account is required, using either Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (CWOPA) or Keystone Login credentials.
Business: Ideal for preservation or planning firms, county, state or federal agencies, non-profits, or large municipal governments. A paid subscription account is required, using either Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (CWOPA) or Keystone Login credentials.
For more detailed information about PA-SHARE subscriptions and associated costs please review the more detailed information available here: https://www.phmc.pa.gov/PA-SHARE/Pages/Options---Subscriptions.aspx
What browsers are compatible with PA-SHARE?
PA-SHARE is compatible with modern browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Internet Explorer version 11 (IE11) or any earlier Internet Explorer versions are not compatible with PA-SHARE.
I received an error message from PA-SHARE. What should I do?
If the error prevents you from completing an action, send an email to pashare@pa.gov with the following information:
•The exact text of the error message, copied and pasted from the popup alert.
•A specific description of what you were attempting to do when the error popped up, such as I attempted to draw the APE boundary on Environmental Review initial submission DF89HQQ4HFAK and received the following error message.
•Optionally, include a screenshot of the entire CRIS web page. In Windows, you may copy an image of the page by pressing Alt + PrintScreen (Windows) and paste it into your email or an image editing program. On a Mac, you may copy or save the image using instructions provided at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201361. When including a screenshot, it’s best to include the entire screen, both for context, and to clarify what web address you are at.
User Access
I can’t remember my username or password. How do I log in?
Users login to PA-SHARE either with Keystone Login or CWOPA (for State Agency staff) credentials.
•For those with Keystone Login credentials, self-service password set is through Keystone Login. Reach the Keystone Login password reset through the ‘Forgot Password’ link on the PA-SHARE login page, or through Keystone Login: https://keystonelogin.pa.gov/Account/Login. Use the same Keystone Login link if you have forgotten your username.
•For those CWOPA credentials, follow normal user support processes for password reset.
How do I obtain access to archaeological sites and surveys?
Access to archaeological data in PA-SHARE is restricted to users who apply for and receive special privileges for this information. To apply for archaeological privileges, review the information at https://www.phmc.pa.gov/PA-SHARE/Pages/Request-Archaeology-Privileges-.aspx and follow instructions there to request access. You will need to register in PA-SHARE before PA SHPO can enable archaeological privileges for your user profile.
Search and Maps
Can I download data from PA-SHARE?
Search results are available for download as tables in the CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format. Photographs and attachments are also downloadable. [provide link to detailed topic]
Search result geographic data can be downloaded in the form of Shapefiles by those with Business subscriptions. [provide link to detailed topic]
Submissions and Projects
What are Submission Tokens, and how can I use them?
The 12-character tokens included on email communications related to a submission you have made are identifying information about your Submission. They are created when you make an initial submission, fulfill an information request or submit additional materials for an existing project. These tokens provide a unique identifier until your submission becomes part of a project. Use this identifier when contacting PA SHPO about a recently-submitted item.
Do project contacts need to have a PA-SHARE account?
Anyone can be a project contact, even if they are not a PA-SHARE user. These contacts will receive email communications about a project and can otherwise use PA-SHARE as a Guest User, but will not be able to review the project in PA-SHARE or take action on it unless they are registered as a user as well.
Who receives project email notifications from HICRIS?
Email notifications will be received by those who are listed as primary contacts on projects and submissions that are processed into projects in PA-SHARE. To see a list of events that trigger an email notification, see Communicating with PA SHPO.
What file formats are permitted in uploads to PA-SHARE?
The following file formats may be uploaded for photos:
•.bmp
•.gif
•.jpe / .jpg .jpeg
•.png
•.tif
The following file formats may be uploaded for attachments:
•.doc / .docx
•.ppt / .pptx
•.xls / .xlsx
•.rtf
•.txt
•.bmp
•.gif
•.jpe / .jpg .jpeg
•.png
•.tif
•.zip
I have an above ground or archaeological survey to submit for a Environment Review or other project. How do I send this to PA SHPO?
If PA SHPO has requested a cultural resource survey as part of its review of the project, you must submit the survey in response to an information request on the SHPO Response page. PA SHPO strongly recommends that the consultant or other individual who prepared the survey is the person to submit it through PA-SHARE, since the survey forms ask for specialized information. You or your consultant may access the survey request by clicking the link in the consolidated response email notification or by doing the following:
•If you are a User with Basic access, follow the link provided in the consolidate response email.
•If you are a User with Pro or Business access, in the menu in the upper left of the screen in PA-SHARE, select Home. In the contextual menu on the left of the screen, select My Requests. Identify the SHPO Response that includes the request and open it.
•In both circumstances, on the SHPO Response screen, do the following:
In the Requests grid, select the request in the grid and select the Process button on the right side of that grid to begin submitting your survey.
If SHPO has not yet requested the survey or you cannot locate the response, please contact the appropriate PA SHPO reviewer with your Project Number.
I received a response to my submission in PA-SHARE, what does it mean?
[pending]