Under ACSLPA policy, when applying for ACSLPA registration, you must submit a satisfactory Police Information Check (PIC), or equivalent, before you get your registration and practice permit.

This tells ACSLPA if you have a criminal record, and ultimately, whether we should be worried about the protection and safety of the public. Under the Health Professions Act and the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Profession Regulations, you must give evidence of having good character and reputation. Albertans generally agree that a criminal conviction may raise questions about a professional’s character and reputation.

Who Needs to Submit a PIC?

All applicants for registration must submit a current PIC at the time of their initial and any subsequent registration application.

What Needs to be Submitted to ACSLPA?

ACSLPA will only accept a current original or notarized[1] copy of a PIC. We will not accept faxed, photocopied, emailed or scanned documents. (We will take a copy of the document and return the original or notarized copy of the PIC to you upon request.)

We will also accept electronic documents from police services that can be accessed or verified by secure login site, or electronic documents that have verifiable digital signatures or reference numbers. Please make sure that signatures or reference numbers are clearly visible when scanned or emailed to ACSLPA.

A PIC is considered current for six months after the date of issue.

Where Can I Get a PIC?

You must get the PIC from the police service in the area in which you reside. Please note that we do not accept criminal record checks from private third-party providers (e.g., BackCheck).

When requesting a PIC, you must be sure that the search is made for your current and all previous, former, or maiden names that you’ve used.

You are responsible for any costs associated with getting the PIC. Costs are determined by the agency providing the PIC.

If you are an internationally educated applicant who has recently immigrated to Canada, we will accept a notarized copy of your Work Permit or Resident Card issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as evidence of clearance from another country, if the police check used to obtain your Canadian immigration document was issued within the previous six months.

NOTE:  Police services may require several weeks to process a PIC. It is your responsibility to see that your PIC is submitted to ACSLPA on time. Please contact the ACSLPA office if there is substantial delay involved in obtaining your PIC.

What Happens if a PIC Discloses a Criminal Record?

Having a previous criminal conviction does not automatically exclude you from registration with ACSLPA. If your PIC does show a criminal record, your application will need further review. You will be required to submit additional information, which may include:

  • A copy of any related court decision(s),
  • A copy of the police report(s) related to the incident, and/or
  • Any additional information that ACSLPA decides is necessary to determine whether you meet the requirements for good character and reputation.

You are responsible for any costs associated with getting the required documents.

The Registrar will review the details of any previous criminal conviction(s). Depending on the details of the criminal conviction(s), the Registrar may accept your application, or may send it to the Registration Committee, where they will consider:

  • The type and seriousness of the offence(s),
  • The relevance of the offence to the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology,
  • The sentence you received, if any,
  • Whether or not you were given a pardon,
  • The amount of time since the occurrence,
  • Your behaviour and character after the offence, and
  • Any other important evidence about your character and reputation.

All information will be completely confidential.

Under ACSLPA policy and guidelines, the Registration Committee will determine whether the PIC is satisfactory, and therefore whether to accept or refuse your application for registration or renewal. You will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision.

Definitions

A Police Information Check is an official police document that gives a detailed criminal history and police information about you. This includes whether or not you have any criminal convictions where a pardon has not been granted, and possible charges in court. A Police Information Check may also indicate whether you have any absolute or conditional discharges, outstanding warrants or foreign charges, charges concluded by a finding that you were not criminally responsible, and/or other information in police records.

A Police Information Check may also be called a security clearance check, criminal record check, or police reference check.

Satisfactory PIC means a report that does not give any record of a criminal conviction(s), or a report that gives a record of a criminal conviction(s) that the Registrar and/or Registration Committee decides does not pose a risk to the safety of the public.


[1]A notarized copy is a photocopy of an original document that has been certified by a notary public to be a true and accurate copy of the original document. A notarized copy may also be referred to as a certified copy.