Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Screen/Check (VSS/VSC) & Background Attestation (BA) Requirements
As part of your Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) registration requirements, you must complete the following:
1. Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Screen/Check (VSS/VSC)
This is a detailed police background check.
It is required because you will be working in a hospitals and caring for vulnerable patients including:
- Children
- Elderly individuals
- People with disabilities
- Patients of all ages and backgrounds
The purpose of this check is to help protect patients and ensure safety in clinical settings.
Important: A Level 2 Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) is accepted by the CPSO for licensing purposes but is NOT accepted by PGME for registration purposes.
2. Annual Background Attestation (BA)
Each academic year, you must complete a Background Attestation in your POWER account.
This is a self-declaration confirming:
- You do not have new criminal charges or convictions
- Your immigration status is valid
You must complete this every year if you have a Level 3 VSS/VSC on file.
If Your VSS/VSC or Background Attestation Is “Not Clear”
If your report or declaration is marked “Not Clear”, you must:
- Immediately email: adpgme@utoronto.ca
- Copy: postgrad.med@utoronto.ca
- Include a written explanation.
If a criminal record is identified:
- Your case will be reviewed by an Expert Panel.
- PGME may revoke (cancel) your appointment or registration based on the panel’s decision.
Reminder: You must report any changes to your criminal status within 7 business days.
Who Needs a Level 3 VSS/VSC and Who Needs a BA?
All Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) learners are required to complete:
- A Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Screen/Check (VSS/VSC)
AND - An annual Background Attestation (BA) is required after submitting a Level 3 VSS/VSC.
Your exact requirement will appear in your POWER account based on:
- Your learner type
- Your legal status in Canada
If the requirement shown in POWER does not seem correct, or if you have questions, please contact: postgrad.med@utoronto.ca
EXCEPTION
New Learners with an International MD on a Work Permit
If you are:
• A new PGME learner
• Holding an MD from outside Canada
• Training on a valid Ontario work permit
For Your Initial Appointment Only:
• You are not required to submit a Level 3 VSS/VSC.
• You must complete a Background Attestation (BA) instead.
IMPORTANT: For any future (subsequent) training appointment, you will be required to submit a Level 3 VSS/VSC
Validity and Expiry of Your Level 3 VSS/VSC
Important to Know
A police record check is a point-in-time search.
This means:
- It is only accurate on the day it is issued.
- Police services do not put an expiry date on the document.
- The institution (PGME) decides how long it is valid, based on safety and policy requirements.
For this reason, the PGME Office, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto has set the following rules.
1. Validity (When It Must Be Issued)
Your Level 3 VSS/VSC must:
- Be issued within 6 months before the start date of your upcoming appointment.
If it is older than 6 months before your start date, it will not be accepted.
When Does the 5-Year Period Start?
The 5-year validity period begins when:
- The Level 3 VSS/VSC is reviewed and recorded in your POWER account,
AND it was issued within the required 6-month window.
2. Expiry ( How long it is Valid)
The University of Toronto considers your Level 3 VSS/VSC valid for:
- 5 years from the date it was issued
- With a required Background Attestation (BA) completed every year
Academic Year Alignment
The expiry is aligned with the academic year.
This means:
- Your Level 3 VSS/VSC will remain valid until June 30 of the academic year in which the 5-year period ends.
How to Apply/Order a Level 3 VSS/VSC
If You Live in Toronto
- E-mail postgrad.med@utoronto.ca to request the Toronto Police Services Agency Code
- Apply through Toronto Police Services
- Select "PAID STUDENT PLACEMENT" fee category.
If You Live Outside Toronto (Within Canada)
- Apply through your local police service
- You must apply using the address shown on your issued Canadian ID.
If you are a Canadian Citizen and Permanent Resident Living Abroad
You should obtain a Certified Criminal Record Check from the RCMP through the submission of fingerprints. Click here for details.
Accepted vs. Not Accepted VSS/VSC Reports
✅ Accepted
- Ontario Police Department
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Canadian Police Departments
❌ Not Accepted
- Level 1 Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- Level 2 Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)
- Third-party checks (e.g., Triton, mybackcheck.com)
- International Police Checks
- CBSA Traveler Criminality/Entry-Exit Checks
Submitting Your VSS & Completing Your Background Attestation (BA)
How to Submit Your Level 3 VSS/VSC report
Upload your level 3 VSS/VSC report to the Registration Document Portal.
If you do not receive your report within 10 business days of your appointment start date:
- Upload proof of payment or processing to Registration Document Portal
- PGME will temporarily override the level 3 VSS/VSC requirement and add a background attestation to your POWER account as a temporary measure.
- IMPORTANT: Once you receive your Level 3 VSS/VSC report, upload it to the Registration Document Portal even if your training has already started or ended.
How to Complete a Background Attestation (BA) in POWER
- Log in to POWER.
- Select “VSS & Background Attestation” from the menu.
- Click “Add Attestation”.
- Read the statement carefully.
- Select either “Clear” or “Not Clear”.
- Click Submit