Criminal Record Checks are a legislated requirement in applying for a medical permit in Alberta

To meet Bill 21 requirements, improve transparency and maintain public trust in the integrity of the profession, new physician and learner applicants to the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) must provide a criminal record check or police certificate.

On February 28, 2019, College Council supported* the development of an official CPSA criminal record check policy. All new applicants are required to supply a criminal record check or police certificate from every jurisdiction they have ever lived (90+ days) within 10 years of their application or dating back to their 18th birthday.

Previously, the College required applicants to provide this documentation from any jurisdiction where they have ever worked.

Questions or comments? Contact Bruce.Leisen@cpsa.ab.ca.

* A previous version of this letter said College Council “approved” the development of an official policy.  While council is in complete support of this policy, there wasn’t an official motion to grant its approval. We updated this version on Friday, March 15, 2019.