Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Check/Screen & Background Attestation
Overview
A Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Check/Screen (VSS/VSC) is a comprehensive criminal record check required for individuals working with vulnerable persons, such as children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. This check searches for individuals who have received pardons for certain offenses and is more thorough than a Level 2 check, focusing on those in positions of trust or authority.
A Background Attestation (BA) is a formal declaration in which a learner indicates they are clear/not clear to having never been refused any kind of visa, admission or been ordered to leave Canada or any other country or committed, been arrested for, or been charged with or convicted of any criminal offence in any country. Learners with a Level 3 VSS/VSC recorded in their POWER account are required to submit a Background Attestation annually.
Do I Need a Level 3 VSS/VSC or a BA?
The POWER system will indicate whether you require a VSS/VSC or BA based on the type of learner and your legal status. Please email postgrad.med@utoronto.ca if the alert is incorrect.
| Type of Learner | Legal Status in Canada | Current Residence & Address | VSS/VSC Required | Background Attestation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Learners | Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents | Living in Canada Has a Canadian address |
YES | NO |
| New Learners | Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents | Living outside of Canada Does not have a Canadian address |
*NO | YES |
| New Learner International MD | Work Permit | Living outside of Canada Does not have a Canadian address |
NO | YES |
| New Learner International MD | Work Permit | Living in Canada for more than 3 months Has a Canadian address |
YES | NO |
| Returning Learner Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident |
Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents | Living in Canada Has a Canadian address |
NO | YES |
| Returning Learner International MD | Work Permit | No VSS/VSC submitted | YES | NO |
| Returning Learner International MD | Work Permit | VSS/VSC submitted | NO | YES |
*Please email postgrad.med@utoronto.ca to request an override of the VSS/VSC requirement and to add the Background Attestation requirement.
Applying for a VSS/VSC?
It may take 4+ months to receive a VSS/VSC report from some police stations – PLEASE ORDER IMMEDIATELY!
Some local police stations require a letter from the university before processing a Vulnerable Sector Screen/Check (VSS/VSC) request. If your police service requires this, you can request a VSS/VSC letter from PGME at postgrad.med@utoronto.ca
Accepted vs. Not Accepted VSS/VSC Checks:
✅ Accepted Level 3 VSS Checks from:
- Ontario Police Department
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Canadian Police Departments
❌ Not Accepted:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC) - Level 1 Check or Clearance Letter
- Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check – Level 2
- Third-party commercial and online vendors (e.g., Triton, mybackcheck.com)
- International police check from outside Canada
- Record check completed at Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) customs called a Traveler Criminality Check or a Border Entry/Exit Check.
Police Record Check Requirements for Level 3 VSS/VSC Based on Residency
If You Reside in Toronto (Postal Code Begins with 'M')
Please visit Toronto Police Services for details on applying for a Level 3 VSS/VSC.
- Apply for an adult police record check account (recommended for faster processing and tracking).
- Select the fee amount for "PAID STUDENT PLACEMENT."
- Use the University of Toronto's agency code: 202309TPSONA9508 for Toronto Police Services online applications.
- If your name and date of birth match an individual with a criminal record, you will be required to provide fingerprints to proceed with the background check.
- Save a copy of your proof of payment/processing (receipt, email from police, picture of payment)
If You Reside Outside Toronto (Within Canada)
- Apply through your local police service based on the address listed on your Canadian identification.
- The VSS/VSC report must be requested from the police service covering your home address.
If You Are a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident Living Outside Canada
- Once you arrive in Canada, you can apply for your Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) through the local police service corresponding to the address on your Canadian identification.
How to Submit Your Level 3 VSS/VSC?
- Upload your VSS/VSC report to the PGME Forms Site.
- If you have not received your VSS/VSC 10 business days before your training start date, email proof of payment or processing (receipt, email from police, or a picture of payment) to postgrad.med@utoronto.ca to request a temporary override of the requirement.
- You will need to complete a background attestation if submitting proof of payment or processing.
- Once you receive your VSS/VSC, upload it to the PGME Forms Site for processing, even if you have already completed your training.
If the VSS/VSC report or your BA is not clear, please:
- Contact PGME immediately with a written explanation to adpgme@utoronto.ca with a copy to postgrad.med@utoronto.ca
- Not Clear Level 3 VSS/VSC report: If a criminal record is identified, it will be reviewed by an expert panel to assess its impact on your registration and training
- Not Clear BA: If your background attestation is Not Clear due to administrative reasons (e.g., visa-related issues), it will be processed accordingly.
Only cases involving a criminal record or new charges will be reviewed by the expert panel.
PGME reserves the right to revoke an appointment or cancel registration based on the Expert Panel review outcome.
Important:
It is your professional responsibility to report any changes to your criminal status within 7 business days to the PGME office at postgrad.med@utoronto.ca
VSS/VSC Validity & Expiry
The University of Toronto recognizes the VSS/VSC as valid for five years from the date of issuance (with a mandatory annual background attestation), extending to the end of the academic year.
The expiry date is aligned with the academic year to ensure continuity throughout the final academic cycle, for example, if a VSS/VSC is issued in July 2025, it remains valid until June 30, 2031.
Your VSS/VSC must be issued within six months of your postgraduate appointment start date to be valid for registration.
CPSO Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check (Level 2)
- The Level 2 check is mandatory for your College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) licensure.
- The CPSO will accept a Level 3 VSS/VSC if you have already obtained it.
- Do NOT submit a Level 2 check to PGME
How do I complete my Background Attestation?
- Log in to POWER.
- In the POWER menu, select “VSS & Background Attestation”.
- Click “Add Attestation”.
- Read the attestation statement carefully.
- Select either “Not Clear” or “Clear”, based on your status.
- Click Submit to finalize your attestation.
- Complete your Background Attestation in POWER. Select “VSS & Background Attestation” in your POWER menu.
If you select "Not clear" in your BA, and/or your VSS/VSC, is not clear, please see instructions.