Vulnerable Sector Checks

Please contact your local police service for details on how to obtain a VS Check.
Special instructions for Toronto residents, Ottawa residents, and applicants residing outside of Canada are below. You are responsible for obtaining the correct type of check and paying all related fees. 

It may take 1 to 12 weeks or longer to receive the results of a VS Check from the police.
Each police service has different processing times. We suggest applying for the VS Check well in advance of your required registration date, but not more than 6 months before.

If the results of your VS Check are not ‘clear’, the Registrar will review the findings and determine whether there are concerns about your suitability to practice occupational therapy in Ontario. If there are concerns about your suitability to practice, your application may be referred to the College’s Registration Committee for review and decision. You will have the opportunity to provide details to the Committee and include any supporting documentation you feel is relevant.

If you have a VS check that is current from your student placement/volunteer work, or employer and you plan to register before it expires, you do not have to request a new one.  

For more information and possible outcomes, please see:

• Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Determining Suitability to Practise at Registration

•  The original results of the VS Check must be submitted to the College before completing registration. A link for you to submit VS Checks securely to the College will be provided upon receipt of your application. Note:

• If your original results were issued electronically directly from the police, login to your application checklist at otportal.coto.org/checklist and upload your results.  
• If your original results were issued as a paper hard copy from the police, please scan and submit a full and clear copy to the College. Ensure that all signatures and the police logo and any seals are visible. 

• The VS Check must have been conducted within the 6 months before the date you complete registration with the College. If you do not register within 6 months of the date the results were issued by the police, you will be required to submit an updated VS Check.
• The name(s) and date of birth on the VS Check must match the information we have on file for you. If the name on the VS Check is a name we don’t have on file for you, you must submit proof of the name change – for example a marriage certificate.

• If you are not able to get a Level 3 VS Check, please contact registration@coto.org.

The College is aware that the Gatineau Police Service, Halton Region Police Service and the Ottawa Police Service do not issue Level 3 (Vulnerable Sector Check) for the purposes of registration.

If you intend to request a police record check from either police service, please apply for a Level 2 (Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check). Once you have applied for this check, please email registration@coto.org for further steps.

If you live in Toronto (postal code begins with “M”), please visit the Toronto Police Service website for current steps to complete the Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check process.

Completing the online process is the fastest way to receive a vulnerable sector check. The Toronto Police Service also offer an in-person and mail-in option.

Online process

Applicants applying for a VS check online through the Toronto Police website must use a unique code that COTO has been assigned by the Toronto Police.

Note: We only issue the code to current College applicants. Please start a College application if you have not already.

Contact us at registration@coto.org to request the code.

If you currently reside outside of Canada and are unable to obtain a VS Check, please contact the College at registration@coto.org.