Information on Police Information Checks With Vulnerable Sector Searches (VSPCs): 

As future educators, teacher candidates (TCs) are responsible for presenting current and clear VSPCs to the Department before any field or practicum experience starts. 

TCs without a current and clear VSPC will not be permitted to participate in a field experience or practicum, and school placement information will be withheld until VSPCs are verified. 

Validity Requirements

Your VSPC must be dated no earlier than 6 months before the start date of your practicum or field experience. This requirement applies to clearances issued by both:

• Calgary Police Service (CPS) online digital system (for Calgary residents)

• Local RCMP Detachments or Municipal Police Services (for residents living outside Calgary limits)

• Must be issued by an official police service: VSPCs from third-party private agencies or online commercial background check companies are not accepted. You must apply directly through CPS or your local police or RCMP detachment.

• International Students: The Calgary Police Service (CPS) and RCMP require applicants to have resided in Canada for at least six (6) months before a Vulnerable Sector Check can be performed. If you have been in Canada for less than 6 months, you must obtain an official Police Clearance Certificate / Criminal Record Check from your home country prior to arriving in Canada. Once you reach the 6-month residency mark in Canada, you must apply for a local VSPC immediately. 

Timeline & Cost

• Background checks can take anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks to process. Please apply early—not having your clearance by the deadline will make you ineligible to enter schools.

• TCs will be provided with one (1) Unpaid Practicum Letter from the Department of Education (via email), which may be accepted by some agencies to reduce processing fees.

• The MRU Department of Education does not pay for or reimburse application fees under any circumstances.

Submission Instructions

1. Email a digital copy (PDF) or screenshot to the Field Experience Office. FEPC@MTROYAL.CA (In-person verification meetings are no longer required).

2. Keep or print your original document and bring it with you to present to your placement school on or before Day 1.

Students Under 18 Years of Age:

Canadian police services cannot perform a Vulnerable Sector Search on minors.

• Under 18: You must apply for a standard Police Information Check (PIC). Email the Field Experience (FEPC) office to request a PIC-specific discount letter before applying, and submit your completed PIC to the FEPC office for initial clearance.

• Upon Turning 18: You must email the FEPC office on or before your 18th birthday to notify us. You will then receive a new discount letter to apply for your full Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSPC), which must be submitted immediately to remain eligible for placement.