As part of our licensure process, you may have to submit a Canadian criminal record check (CRC). A CRC provides information related to criminal offenses and helps us to ensure that you have the character and judgment to provide safe nursing care. We do not require local police information to be included in the CRC.
Some employers require a criminal record check or a vulnerable sector check as part of your employment contract. It may be possible for this condition of employment to also meet NSCN’s licensure requirement. If you have recently been offered employment, you may wish to verify with your employer the type of check they require.
Note: If you already hold a current LPN license to practice nursing with NSCN you will not be required to submit a criminal record check if you are applying for RN registration and licensure.
You must submit an original Canadian criminal record check if you’re seeking:
• Registration
• Licence reactivation after a two-year time lapse
• Conditional registration and conditional category of licence
You may also be required to submit a criminal record check if you report being charged with, have pleaded guilty to, are convicted of or are found to be guilty of any offence in or out of Canada that is inconsistent with proper professional behavior.
*If you have worked as a nurse outside of Canada in the last two years, you must submit an international CRC from the last state/province/country where you worked. If nursing is regulated at the state level (e.g. USA, India) or provincial level, the CRC must be completed for that state or province. If nursing is regulated at the country level (e.g. Philippines), the CRC must be issued for the entire country.
All CRCs must be provided in English. Translations from a certified translator are also accepted. You are responsible for the cost of all translations.
Questions and Answers
Please obtain a Canadian and international CRC through one of our approved online companies, CSI and MyBackCheck, and they can provide your results directly to us electronically. You may also obtain the CRC through local police or RCMP, however, you will be required to submit the original hard copy of the CRC to the NSCN via mail or drop off.
Six months from the date it is issued.
If you would like your criminal record check returned to you, please let us know when you submit the document. Otherwise the original document will be scanned, added to your application and confidentially destroyed.
Criminal offences include impaired driving, assault, robbery, fraud, sexual offences and most drug-related offences. Minor offences (e.g., speeding tickets, parking tickets, noise infractions) are not usually included in a CRC.
Your CRCs must include your current legal name and date of birth.
If you have a positive criminal record check and it is determined that a risk to the public exists or that your ability to practise may be compromised, your application will be placed on hold while we gather more information and decide on a course of action. For example, your registration and licensure may be denied or our Professional Conduct team may be consulted.
The vulnerable sector check is an enhanced criminal record check. It includes all of the information that would be reported in the criminal record check along with any information related to pardoned sexual offenses. If your employer requires you to obtain a VSC, we will accept this document instead of a CRC. Click here for more information about vulnerable sector checks.
If you as an applicant or registrant are at any time charged with, have pleaded guilty to, are convicted of or are found to be guilty of any offence in or out of Canada that is inconsistent with proper professional behavior, you must notify us immediately, unless a pardon has been issued, including a conviction under:
- Criminal Code (Canada)
- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada)
- Other legislations as prescribed in the regulations
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at registration@nscn.ca. We strive to respond to you as soon as possible. However, due to the high volumes of emails and complexity of inquiries, our response time may vary.
Please be advised that registration requirements and fees are subject to change. All registration and licensure fees are non-refundable. Click here to learn more about fees and payment options.