Published May 2, 2019, 2:20 p.m.
As of July 1, 2019, police background checks will be required prior to completing all certificate of registration applications.
Jump To:I am already registered with the College, do I have to submit a police background check?
No, if you are already registered as a student, intern, pharmacist or pharmacy technician you will not be required to submit a background check at this time. However, students and interns applying for the next level of registration are required to submit police background checks. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are currently required to complete a declaration of good character during annual renewal.
Why is the College adding this as a new registration requirement?
The College is committed to our mandate to regulate pharmacy practice in Ontario in order to serve and protect the public. There is currently heightened importance being put on patient safety in light of the Protecting Patients Act. Police background checks, along with the declaration of good character, further supports the College’s due diligence in assessing candidate eligibility for licensure and their mandate to protect the public.
What type of police background check will I need to obtain?
You may obtain an Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) online through Sterling Talent Solutions or a Police Information Check from your local police station. The College will also accept a Police Vulnerable Sector Check from your local police station should you already possess a valid one.
How do I submit my police background check to the College?
E-PICs completed online through Sterling Talent Solutions will be retrieved by the College directly through their secure system. If you are submitting a paper document obtained through your local police station, you may send the original to us via mail or in person provided it is authenticated with a police services stamp. The original paper documents will not be returned to you.
What if my police background check reveals a past conviction or other relevant finding?
If your police background check reveals a past conviction or other relevant finding, then your application will be referred to a panel of registration committee for further consideration. A past conviction or finding does not necessarily preclude you from being registered; all findings will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please direct all inquiries regarding the details of findings to the provider of your police background check.
How long does my police background check remain valid, and when should I complete one?
You must have completed a police background check within six months of the final processing of your application for a certificate of registration. Since there is an expiry on police background checks, you may wish to consider completing and submitting your police background check after completing all other requirements.
I have already completed a police background check for another purpose (work, school, volunteer role, etc.). Is it still valid?
If the police background check was issued within six months of the final processing of your application for the certificate of registration, you may submit it provided it is authenticated with a police services stamp if submitted as a paper document, or is available for the College to retrieve from a police background check website online. If it does not meet these requirements you must complete another one.
How long does it take to obtain a police background check, and how long will it take the College to process?
If you obtain your police background check through Sterling Talent Solutions, your background check will be available within 24 hours. If you obtain your police background check through your local police station, processing times may vary, but are typically up to two weeks.
Police background checks that do not reveal a past conviction or other relevant finding are generally processed within 10 business days, but processing times during peak periods are longer. The best way to verify the status of all your requirements is to access your profile through the online services portal. The information contained in your profile is always up to date, including whether or not your police background check has been validated.
How much does a police background check cost?
The cost for an E-PIC from Sterling Talent Solutions is $30 plus HST. The costs to obtain a police background check from your local police station may vary, but are typically anywhere from $20- $50. Please note that the E-PIC fee through Sterling Talent Solutions is subject to change.
