Disclosure Requirements

Vunerable Sector Checks

Effective January 1, 2021, applicants for a certificate of registration as a Registered Optician must also provide a Vulnerable Sector (“VS”) check as part of their application for registration with the College. A VS check verifies whether the applicant has a criminal record or any record suspension for sexual offences and searches local police records for information relevant to the VS check. The College uses the results of the VS check to verify some of the above noted information.

Important Information

The Vulnerable Sector check must meet the following requirements:

• The VS check must be completed using all names currently used by the applicant, as well as any names the applicant has used in the past.
• The full legal name, previous names (if applicable) and date of birth on the VS check must match the information provided to the College during the application process.
• The VS check must have been conducted no more than six months prior to the date the application for registration is submitted to the College.
• The VS check must be obtained at the applicant’s own expense.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the College will accept scanned and faxed copies of the VS check results. The College reserves the right to request the original report for verification purposes.

For more information, please refer to the Policy on Vulnerable Sector Check and Applicants with Charges or Findings.

Toronto Applicants Only

Effective September 5, 2023, applicants will be able to submit the applications requesting a vulnerable sector check from Toronto Police Services (TPS) online. Applicants will also have an option to send their record checks to the College electronically.

TPS will continue to accept applications submitted by mail or in person; however, for fastest service it is recommended that applications be completed online.

When completing your application, you will be required to provide an agency code. The agency code for the College of Opticians is 202309TPSON2273E.

To start the online application process, please click here. There is a fee of $71.72 associated with requesting a VS Check online.

For more information on the process please visit the Toronto Police Service website.

Vulnerable Sector Checks During COVID-19

The majority of jurisdictions in Ontario are continuing to provide VS checks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants should contact the College if they are advised by their local police service that VS checks are not currently available.