Background checks or police record checks are extremely important in Canada for employment, licensing, visa applications, etc. They can be of various types, such as PCRC (Police Criminal Record Check), PCRJMC (Police Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check), and PVSC (Police Vulnerable Sector Checks).
This blog will explain the differences between the Police Criminal Record Check (PCRC), Police Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (PCRJMC), and Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC).
Position/ Occupation | PVSC | PCRC | PCRJMC |
| Accountant | ✔ | ||
| Attendant in children’s petting zoo | ✔ | ||
| Adoption (must be fingerprinted) | ✔ | ||
| Bank Teller | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Counsellor/Psychologist/Social Worker | ✔ |
|
|
| Doctor/Dentist/Nurse/Daycare worker | ✔ |
|
|
| Driving Instructor | ✔ |
|
|
| Factory Worker/Food Vendor |
| ✔ | ✔ |
| Foster Parents/ Resident in Foster Home/ Host Family | ✔ |
|
|
| Immigration / Permanent Resident |
| ✔ | ✔ |
| Labourer/Trades/Landlord/Superintendent |
| ✔ | ✔ |
| Lawyer/Notary Public |
|
| ✔ |
| Massage Therapist/Chiropractor/ Minor Sporting Coach | ✔ |
|
|
| Name Change |
|
| ✔ |
| Office Manager/ Administration Staff |
| ✔ | ✔ |
| Police Officer | ✔ |
|
|
| Professional Licensing/Realtor |
|
| ✔ |
| Retirement Home worker/ Residential aid/ Caregiver | ✔ |
|
|
| Retail Sales/ Retail store clerk |
|
| ✔ |
| School bus driver/ School Crossing Guard | ✔ |
|
|
| School Teacher/Teaching Assistant/Tutor/Scout Leader | ✔ |
|
|
| Security Guard |
| ✔ | ✔ |
| Servers in restaurant |
|
| ✔ |
| Students (for school placements) | ✔ |
| ✔ |
| Support Worker | ✔ |
|
|
| Taxi Drivers | ✔ |
|
|
| Tenants for rental property |
| ✔ | ✔ |
| Truck Driver/Warehouse worker |
|
| ✔ |
| Volunteers | ✔ |
| ✔ |
| Working Visa |
| ✔ | ✔ |
| Youth Worker | ✔ |
|
|
Police Criminal Record Check (PCRC)
The PCRC is the most basic record check. In some provinces, it is known as criminal record checks; in others, it may be called CPIC checks. These checks are conducted based on the applicant’s name and date of birth. They generally provide information on criminal convictions and criminal record searches. These checks are often used for general employment, volunteer positions, or licensing requirements. They do not include information on outstanding, conditional, or non-conviction records.
Who Needs to Get This Check?
You may require the CRC check if you are applying for positions like a bank teller, factory worker, food vendor, superintendent, labourer, office manager, security guard, etc.
Requirements
For the Police Criminal Record Check, you will be required to submit a government-issued ID for photo identification and address history. This check is not appropriate for individuals looking for employment in roles of authority or trust concerning vulnerable persons in Canada only.
Conducted By
PCRC can be done by local police stations or third-party platforms. Using a trusted third-party platform such as Globeia can expedite the entire process of completing a Police Criminal Record Check online.
Police Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (PCRJMC)
The PCRJMC is another name-based check, but it is a more thorough check compared with the PCRC as it includes all the information in the PCRC and provides additional details. The about criminal convictions, outstanding charges, conditional discharges as well as court orders
Who Needs to Get This Check?
You may require the PCRJMC check if you are applying for positions like accountant, lawyer, notary public, professional licensing, realtor, etc.
Requirements
For the Police Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, you will be required to submit a government-issued ID for photo identification and address history. This check is not appropriate for individuals looking for employment in roles of authority or trust concerning vulnerable persons in Canada only.
Conducted By
PCRJMC can be completed with the local police station or a third-party company like Globeia through an online platform.
Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
The PVSC is the most extensive criminal record check available. It is specifically created for individuals working or volunteering with vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. It is also known as VSC in some provinces.
The PVSC includes all information that PRJMC provides, and it also includes:
- Sexual criminal convictions for which a record suspension (formerly called a pardon) has been granted
- Non-conviction mental health information (in limited circumstances)
Who Needs to Get This Check?
You may be required to get PVSC if you are applying to be a school teacher or teaching assistant (on hire or placement), social worker, daycare worker, minor sporting coach, child or youth worker, etc.
Requirements
For PVSC, an applicant must submit a government-issued valid ID with a photo and address history. This check may also require fingerprints.
Conducted By
This check can be done by the local police station and the applicant must be a resident of that particular police station's jurisdiction. If fingerprints are required, the applicant will have to go to any RCMP-accredited agency to submit fingerprints.
When deciding on the type of police criminal record check, it's essential to consider the specific requirements of the position or organization. It is important to be aware of the differences between these checks to ensure that one completes the appropriate check as required.