There are four common types of criminal record checks in Alberta. So, discuss with your employer which type they need before making your request.
Please note that each check is good for only one organization.
Name-Based Criminal Record Check (CRC)
This is a basic check for applicants looking to work or volunteer for an employer or organization doing their due diligence and does not involve children or vulnerable adults.
A named-based CRC uses names and dates of birth to check the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) system for a criminal convictions summary and findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within the applicable disclosure period.
Certified Criminal Record Check
A certified CRC uses fingerprints when a name-based CRC can’t definitively confirm a person’s identity. A fingerprint search of the National Repository of Criminal Records is conducted by the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
Police Information Check
A PIC is for employment or volunteer services that do not involve children or vulnerable adults.
A PIC is limited to criminal convictions, outstanding criminal charges and warrants, and other judicial orders. It can be used for employment outside of Canada, and you can apply for a PIC when you are outside of Canada by verifying your identity with a local police force or the nearest consulate.
A PIC will search the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and the Alberta Court system (JOIN), and the local police database.
Police Information Check – Vulnerable Sector
A PIC-VS:
- is for employment or volunteer services that do involve children or vulnerable adults.
- includes criminal convictions, outstanding criminal charges and warrants, and other judicial orders, in addition to non-convictions and files in which you were a bona fide suspect in a founded substantiated offence. However, it won’t include unsubstantiated allegations.
- can only be done for organizations in Canada. The position itself can be outside of Canada, but the results of the vulnerable sector check must stay within Canada.
Like a PIC, a PIC-VS will search the CPIC and JOIN, as well as local police databases to determine if any patterns of behavior exist that may result in harm to a vulnerable person.
Finally, you can’t apply for a PIC-VS outside of Canada.