Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check
Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements
Dietitians are regulated healthcare professionals in Nova Scotia and work directly with vulnerable clients of all ages, across the life span, and in public, private and unsupervised settings. Dietitians are in a position of authority with their clients, and their working relationship is based on trust and adherence to professional boundaries.
On April 1, 2024, the College implemented a requirement for a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check as part of the application for registration. Current registrants will be required to provide a Vulnerable Sector Check every five years, beginning at renewal 2025. To be eligible for licensure, all applicants must provide evidence as to whether they have been found guilty of any offence arising in any jurisdiction, including, any criminal offence, or any offence relating to the practice of dietetics. The College uses the results of the Vulnerable Sector Check to verify the applicant’s and registrant’s good conduct eligibility in fitting with the mandate of public protection.
A conduct history does not automatically result in a denial of registration. However, there must be nothing in an applicant’s previous conduct that will impact their ability to practice dietetics safely and ethically.
Important Information:
Depending on where an applicant lives, it may take 1 to 12 weeks, or longer, to obtain the results of a Vulnerable Sector Check. As registration will not be issued until results are received, NSCDN suggests applying for the Vulnerable Sector Check well in advance of the required registration date. The College accepts Vulnerable Sector Checks issued within the past four months.
- The Vulnerable Sector Check must be completed on all the names used currently and in the past.
- The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the full legal name, previous names (if applicable) and date of birth on the Vulnerable Sector Check match the information provided to the College during the application process. If the information does not match, the Vulnerable Sector Check will not be accepted by the College.
- The applicant is responsible for obtaining the correct type of Check and paying all related fees (including submitting to and paying for fingerprints, if required).
- The Vulnerable Sector Check must have been conducted no more than four months before the date of registration with the College for new registrants.
- Current registrants will be required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Check every five years. The Check is considered valid if uploaded to your profile within four months of the date on the Check. The College will notify registrants when they are required to provide a new Vulnerable Sector Check.
- A complete Check must be uploaded to the Supporting Documents section of the registrant portal.
How to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check
- Within Canada, including Nova Scotia, outside of the Halifax Regional Police area; Vulnerable Sector Checks are available through local police. Please visit the website of your local police service for details regarding their specific process. You may need to provide an authorization letter supporting your request for a check. More information is available online through the RCMP.
- Registrants serviced by Halifax Regional Police – If you live in the HRM, and are serviced by Halifax Regional Police, you may complete the Vulnerable Sector Check online here. Information on to request a vulnerable sector check in person can be found here.
- If you have resided outside of Canada, at any time in the past two years, we will also require an International Criminal Record Check, please contact the College to determine the equivalent documentation at registration@nscdn.ca. If you have lived in Canada and outside of Canada within the last two years, we will require both an International Criminal Record Check and a Canadian Vulnerable Sector Check.
