​​​​About criminal record checks

The Criminal Records Review Act requires all BCCNM registrants to undergo a criminal record check (CRC), completed by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Applicants undergo a CRC as part of the application process, and registrants are re-checked every five years. This requirement is intended to help protect children and vulnerable adults from physical and sexual abuse.

Criminal Record Check: Step-by-step

How does it work?

• New applicants and non-practicing/former registrants who are applying to reinstate their registration will be asked to submit consent to a CRC as part of their application. You will be sent instructions on how to request and pay for a CRC.

• The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General runs checks against provincial data and RCMP information. If criminal records are found, they are examined to determine relevancy to physical or sexual abuse.

• BCCNM is informed when no relevant record is found. 

• If a possible relevant record exists, the Ministry may request the individual to provide fingerprints to the RCMP. 

• If the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General determines that there is no risk to children and vulnerable adults, BCCNM is informed. As “good character” is a requirement for registration, further review by BCCNM may be required. 

• If the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General determines that a risk exists, the individual, BCCNM and the employer are informed. BCCNM takes action in accordance with the Health Professions Act. 

• The individual may appeal the decision of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General​.​

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Consent

​What am I consenting to when I consent to a criminal record check?​

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You will be asked to consent to the following:

I hereby consent to a check for records of criminal charges and convictions to determine whether I have a conviction or outstanding charge for any relevant or specified offence(s) under the Criminal Records Review Act.

I hereby consent to a check of all available law enforcement systems, including any local police records.

I hereby consent to a vulnerable sector search to check if I have been convicted of and been granted a pardon for any sexual offences of the Criminal Records Act.

I understand a criminal record check under the criminal records review act is required at least once every five years.

Go to the RCMP website for additional details on vulnerable sector checks: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/types-criminal-background-checks

I hereby authorize the release to the Deputy Registrar any documents in the custody of the police, the court and crown counsel relating to an outstanding charge or conviction of any relevant or specified offence(s) as defined under the Criminal Records Review Act.

Where the results of this check indicate that a criminal record or outstanding charge for a relevant or specified offence(s) may exist, I agree to provide my fingerprints to verify any such criminal record.

The Deputy Registrar will notify me and my organization that I have an outstanding charge or conviction for any relevant or specified offence(s) and the matter has been referred to the Deputy Registrar.

The Deputy Registrar will determine whether or not I present a risk to physical or sexual abuse to children and / or physical, sexual or financial abuse to vulnerable adults as applicable.

The Deputy Registrar’s determination will be disclosed to my organization and it will include consideration of any relevant or specified offence(s) for which I have received a pardon.

If I am charged with or convicted of a relevant or specified offence(s) at any time subsequent to the criminal record check authorized herein, I further agree to report the charge or conviction to my organization and provide my organization, in a timely manner, with a new Consent to a Criminal Record Check.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT (FOIPPA): The information requested on this form is collected under the authority of the Criminal Records Review Act section 4(1) and section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA). The information provided will be used to fulfil the requirements of the Criminal Records Review Act for the release of criminal records information and is in compliance with the FOIPPA. If you have questions about the collection of your personal information, please contact the Policy Analyst, Criminal Records Review Program, PO Box 9217 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9J1 or by phone at 1-855-587-0185​.​​​​​​

Frequently asked questions

I have just had a criminal record check done for employment. Will I require another?

Yes. Under the B.C. Criminal Records Review Act, t​he criminal record check must be done through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General​. In addition to checking RCMP records, other records that are not usually part of a criminal record check by the RCMP (e.g. provincial and young offenders’ records) will be checked.

What will happen if I do not consent to a criminal record check?

BCCNM​ cannot grant you registration unless you have consented to a criminal record check and it is subsequently determined that you pose no risk to children or vulnerable adults.

How much does it cost?

​The cost of CRCs is included in your registration fees. In cases where a potentially relevant record is found, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General may require you to provide fingerprints to the RCMP. The additional cost of fingerprinting will be paid by the applicant/registrant.

How long will it take?

If there are no relevant criminal records, BCCNM is informed within 1-2 weeks after the consent is submitted to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. If there is a possible record and fingerprints are required, it may be six months or more before the outcome is known.

​How often will I need to have a criminal record check done?

You will be required to undergo a criminal record check every five years to maintain registration with BCCNM.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General will notify BCCNM of any subsequent relevant criminal offences you may have.

You are also required to report any subsequent charges or convictions to BCCNM (in signing the consent form you are agreeing to do so). In such instances, an additional criminal record check may be required.

Will I be told about the results of the criminal record check?

You will be notified only if a possible relevant record is found. BCCNM does not provide a copy of the result of your criminal record check. As the result is returned electronically, there is no paper copy.

What are relevant criminal records?

The Criminal Records Review Act lists relevant offences associated with risk to children and vulnerable adults. They are used as a basis for determining if a person presents a risk to children and vulnerable adults. Convictions related to provincial or minor criminal offences, not related to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, are not included.

If I have a criminal record, who will have access to this information?

If you have a record, but it is not relevant to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General does not release this information.

If you have a relevant record, BCCNM is informed that there is a relevant record, but no other information is provided.

If the Deputy Registrar, Criminal Records Review Program determines there is no risk to children and vulnerable adults, BCCNM is informed of the Deputy Registrar’s decision and may request a copy of the written reasons for the decision.

If the Deputy Registrar determines that a risk to children and vulnerable adults exists, BCCNM and the employer(s) are notified. BCCNM would take action using existing procedures. However, information would be protected, as it is now under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

If I am charged with a criminal offence, do I need to tell BCCNM?

Yes. Under B.C. law, nurses and midwives charged with a criminal offence must promptly report it to the college.

This obligation comes, in part, from the Criminal Records Review Act, which helps protect children and vulnerable adults from physical, sexual or financial abuse. Under the Act, convictions include "conditional discharges," "alternative measures" and "peace bonds" ordered under sections 717 and 810 of the Criminal Code.

Registrants

The college also has obligations under the Act. When the college learns of a new charge or conviction for a criminal offence listed in the Act, we (a) require you to authorize a new criminal record check, and (b) notify your employer (if applicable) that the college is requesting a criminal record check because you have disclosed an offence listed in the Act. We must also ensure all nursing and midwifery professionals consent to a criminal record check every five years.

BCCNM registrants are also required to disclose any outstanding or recently concluded charges every year when renewing registration. Failing to do so is considered to be misconduct under the Health Professions Act and will result in an investigation by the Professional Conduct Review department. In general, BCCNM recommends that BCCNM registrants contact us as soon as a criminal charge has been laid, before the information is disclosed to us by law enforcement or other third parties. We have an obligation to deal with such information in a transparent and fair manner while pursuing our public protection mandate.

Applicants to the college

Applicants to the college are required to disclose all outstanding charges and concluded criminal matters when applying for registration.

I'm a non-practising registrant. Do I need to get a CRC?

Yes. The CRC requirement applies to both practising and non-practising registrants​​.