A Police Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) is a background check meant to guarantee that individuals working with vulnerable populations do not have a criminal history.

  • A Police Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) is mandatory for student clinical placements. It includes a search of police involvement (CPIC) and a search for any sexual offence convictions for which an individual has received a pardon.

  • The University reserves the right to revoke admission offers, registration and/or clinical placement at any time based on the results of the VSS.
  • You must be 18 + to apply for a VSS. If you are not 18 years of age by your program deadline, please contact your clinical placement risk management advisor.
  • If you choose to receive a hard copy, the original must be mailed/delivered (for instructions see below).

It is your responsibility to obtain your VSS prior to your program deadline. Please consult your program clinical requirements and deadlines. The deadline may vary depending on your program and year of study.

A Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen may take up to 12 weeks to obtain. Please inquire with your local police service about the processing times. 

Keep the receipt – it may be submitted as proof of purchase if your police service is experiencing a delay.

Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Requirements

Your police checkmust cover where you have lived in the last five years. This includes a VSS or equivalent for every country in which you have lived for a period of six consecutive months or longer during the last five years.

How to request a VSS

The only organizations authorized to conduct VSS checks are local police services.

You may apply for a VSS through your local police service by consulting their website. This VSS is obtained for educational purposes and not for volunteer purposes.

Cost: varies

Processing time: 2-12 weeks

Final step: Send obtained report to your clinical placement risk management advisor

  • By mail
    The original paper VSS document (with embossed seal) can be mailed to:
    Attention to: [your specific program clinical placement risk management advisor]
    Faculty of Health Sciences
    801 King Edward (N204),
    Ottawa, ON
    K1N 6N5

    *Please send as registered mail to ensure delivery. If lost, you will be required to obtain a new VSS.

  • Delivered in person
    Please deposit the original paper VSS document (with embossed seal) in a sealed envelope into the drop box outside of the Faculty of Health Sciences' Dean's office located on the 2nd floor of the Minto building (801 King Edward Ave., N204).

    *We strongly recommend you keep a copy for your records.

  • Digitally secure electronic copy
    Some police services will share a secure electronic copy with you. In this case, you must forward that email to your clinical placement risk management advisorwith the secured VSS attached. Please add the password or any security code needed to open the document if one has been provided.

Procedures to obtain a VSS from a police service