The B.C. Criminal Records Review Act requires a criminal record check from all individuals applying for registration/certification as well as all existing registrants of professional regulatory bodies who may deal with children and vulnerable persons. All dentists, dental therapists, and CDAs in B.C. must comply with these requirements.

2. Why do I need to submit a copy of my government issued ID?

The provincial government requires CDSBC to confirm the accuracy of the information you provide with your initial CRC application form. The information on your ID will be checked against the information provided on your application.

3. I recently had a CRC done at the police department. Why isn't this acceptable?

In order for CDSBC to comply with the B.C. Criminal Records Review Act, CRC applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The Act does not permit us to accept CRCs that have been undertaken through another agency (e.g., the RCMP).

4. What happens if I don't want to participate in another check?

If you are a new applicant, registration/certification will not be granted. If you are an existing registrant, under the B.C. Criminal Records Review Act, failure to complete this process will result in you being unable to work on children and vulnerable adults until such time as clearance is received. In addition, as required under the Health Professions Act (S33), this matter may also be forwarded to the CDSBC Inquiry Committee for investigation and consideration of limits and conditions on your registration/certification.

5. What happens if I am charged or convicted of an offence while registered with CDSBC?

As per Section 17 of the Criminal Records Review Act, registrants must promptly report to the CDSBC if they are charged with or convicted of a relevant offence or a specified offence. In addition to this, registrants will be required to complete a new criminal record check and pay the processing fee of C$28 and CDSBC may take reasonable steps to notify the registrant’s employer that a new criminal record check is required.

6. I am a non-practising dentist/CDA. Do I have to complete a CRC?

Yes. The law applies to all dentists and CDAs, regardless of whether or not they are practising.

6. What will I need to provide for my criminal record check?

Although CDSBC will be sending your criminal record check to the Ministry on your behalf, you will still be responsible to provide the Ministry correspondence that they request from you such as fingerprint requests and adjudication.

7. My colleague was asked to complete a CRC at annual renewal, but I wasn't. Why not?

Registrants are required to complete a CRC every five years. You will only be asked to complete a CRC the year that your last criminal record check expires. Registrants will be on different five-year cycles depending on the year they registered with the College.

8. Why do I have to pay C$5.60 each year?

Criminal record checks cost C$28. The College collects one fifth of the CRC fee (C$5.60) each year at annual renewal.

This is the amount charged by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, not CDSBC, to complete a criminal record check.

9. How do I pay my criminal record check?

For new applicants, a fee of C$28 will need to be paid for your criminal record check. Existing registrants will pay C$5.60 per year during annual renewal. CDSBC collects the money and submits payment to the Ministry on the registrants'/applicants' behalf.

10. How long will it take to process my criminal record check?

The processing time is 1-2 weeks after the information is submitted to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. If you are required to provide fingerprints as part of the Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check, your criminal record check will not be cleared until they receive the results of your fingerprints.

11. What results will be reported?

The B.C. Criminal Records Review Act lists relevant offences associated with physical, sexual, and financial abuse. If a relevant offence is revealed, you will be contacted by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Convictions related to provincial or minor criminal offences that are not related to the protection of children and vulnerable persons are not included.

For a complete listing of relevant offences please refer to the government's website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/crime-prevention/criminal-record-check/offences-reviewed.

12. Who will have access to my CRC results?

If the Ministry's Deputy Registrar of the Criminal Records Review Program determines that a risk to children and vulnerable adults exists, CDSBC (and your employer(s), if applicable) are notified and CDSBC would take appropriate action to ensure the public is adequately protected.

If you have a "relevant" offence, CDSBC is informed, but no other information is provided. If you have a record that is deemed "not relevant" to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General does not release this information to CDSBC.

13. Will I get a refund if I am planning on retiring before my next criminal record check?

No, the criminal record check payment is a mandatory fee for all registrants. Although we recognize that some registrants will retire or resign before their next criminal record check, this fee will not be refunded.

14. Why can't I submit my own CRC?

As of 1 March 2017, registrants are no longer required to submit their own CRC application. This change was implemented to reduce processing time, frustration, and the amount of correspondence CDSBC sends out to our registrants.

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