A background check is one of the most trusted ways to gather key insights about a person’s employment history, behaviours, or criminal record, helping you make smarter, more informed decisions. Think of it as your first line of defence when it comes to managing risk.
At Certn, we make it easy for individuals and businesses of all sizes to run background checks with confidence. Whether you’re hiring a new team member, renting out a property, or simply want to see your own record, we’re here to help.
While Certn now operates globally, we’re proud to call British Columbia home. Since launching our online criminal record checks platform in 2017, our team of Canadian screening experts has helped thousands of clients across industries simplify and speed up their background checks. So when it comes to a criminal record check BC, you’re in expert hands.
Keep reading to learn how to get a criminal record check BC, and find answers to some of the most common questions we hear from businesses and individuals alike.
Why Do You Need a Background Check?
There are different types of background checks and the type you need depends on the purpose, from pre-employment screening, to applying for a security clearance, to volunteering. This applies to all provinces and territories in Canada.
Below we’ve listed some common background checks and why you might need them, with a focus on pre-employment screening and property management.
Criminal Record Checks
These are what people commonly think of when they think of background checks and involve checking local, provincial, and/or federal databases for any criminal history, including information on arrests, convictions, and other police-related issues.
Just because you have a criminal history, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a job. Though, it may impact what kinds of roles you can apply to according to the Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA). Here’s more information on jobs that require a criminal record check.
For example, screening is mandated for licenced childcare and adult care facilities, teachers, employees of governing bodies and regulated professional associations, and all employees in the BC Public Service. In all circumstances, employers are required to look carefully at each individual case and evaluate how the criminal history may impact the responsibilities of the job.
Can your landlord ask you for a criminal record check? While these checks are commonly used in pre-employment screening, there are some province-specific restrictions around criminal record checks for tenants. BC landlords and property managers can ask for information about your employment and income, rental history, credit references, and credit. They can also require a criminal record check (provided the appropriate consent is obtained) if a reasonable person would consider it appropriate in the circumstances and only for the purposes that they disclose to you as the prospective tenant. A landlord can’t require you to consent to a criminal record check as a condition of providing a tenancy unless the information is necessary to provide that tenancy. For example, if the rental unit is connected to a daycare. The Human Rights Code protects tenants from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, and other protected grounds. Having said all this, in most instances, a criminal record check isn’t necessary for tenancy.
Credit Checks
For certain roles, especially those involving financial responsibilities, cash handling, or access to sensitive financial information, a credit check may be part of the background screening process. A credit check typically involves reviewing a candidate’s credit report from a credit bureau to assess their financial history and trustworthiness.
Whether an employer is allowed to request a credit check as part of hiring depends on the laws where you live. In British Columbia, as in most provinces across Canada, credit checks are permitted, but they must be directly relevant to the job. This means employers can’t just run a credit check on every applicant; it has to make sense for the role and responsibilities.
Pro Tip:
Even if you’re not applying for a financial role, it’s smart to stay on top of your credit health. Running a personal credit check on yourself can help you spot inaccuracies, detect potential fraud early, and understand what an employer might see if a check is required for a future opportunity.
In Canada, you can request a free copy of your credit report from the two major credit bureaus: Equifax and TransUnion. Both agencies allow you to check your credit report online or by mail at no cost, helping you stay informed and in control of your financial profile.
Keeping tabs on your credit isn’t just good for job hunting, it’s good for your financial future, too.
Employment History
Employment verification is a process through which someone confirms the accuracy of job information provided in an application. Employment verification vets job titles, timelines, and other related details. This verification is typically part of the pre-employment screening process and is done to ensure that the information provided by the candidate is truthful and accurate but it can also happen as part of the rental application process.
Education Verification
Similarly, education verification is a process through which someone confirms the accuracy of a person’s educational background as provided in an application. Education verification vets the authenticity of institutions, dates of enrollment, and any degrees, diplomas, and certificates obtained. Education verification is an important step for employers to ensure that they’re hiring individuals with the necessary qualifications and experience for the job, and contributes to the overall integrity of the hiring process.
Credential Verification
For jobs requiring specific licences or certifications, credential verification vets the validity of any professional designations. This is common in professions such as health care, law, and finance where a licence to practice or operate is mandatory.
Social Media and Adverse Media Screening
Some background checks might involve searching your public online presence to look for specific content or discrepancies that might impact your ability to perform a certain role. Where permitted (it’s permitted in BC), the process involves examining publicly available information on platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and others. While public information is fair game, employers have to respect candidates’ privacy and avoid seeking or using information that’s not relevant to the job.
Driving Records
These checks look for a history of traffic violations or accidents. Driving record checks are part of a comprehensive background screening process that helps employers make informed decisions about candidates, particularly for roles where safe and responsible driving is essential.
Again, in this blog post, we’re exploring criminal record check BC, but here’s more general information on how background checks work based on check type.
What Happens with the Information from a Background Check?
As described above, background check results are used by employers to support hiring decisions, by property managers during rental applications, by institutions granting security clearances, and more. However, how the information is used, and what impact it has, can vary depending on the type of background check conducted and the policies of the organization requesting it.
For example, a criminal record may be considered differently depending on the role’s responsibilities or industry standards. A minor record from years ago might not disqualify a candidate for a customer service job but could be more relevant for a role that requires security clearance or financial trust. Similarly, an employment verification might simply confirm a candidate’s work history, while a credit check might only matter for positions involving financial management.
It’s important to remember that background checks are just one part of the decision making process. Most employers, property managers, and institutions weigh multiple factors, like interviews, references, and qualifications, before making a final call.
Employers must also comply with strict privacy and human rights laws when conducting and using background checks. In Canada, background screening is governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) as well as various provincial privacy laws like British Columbia’s Privacy Act and Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). These laws require organizations to obtain consent before collecting background information, ensure it’s relevant to the role, and protect the confidentiality and security of any personal data collected.
Ultimately, transparency, consent, and fairness are key. Background checks must be conducted responsibly, with clear communication about how the results will be used, and individuals like you have the right to challenge or correct inaccurate information if necessary.
Transparent and Fair Background Checks
Transparent and fair use of background check information helps maintain trust between employers and candidates. Above all, background checks should be tailored to the specific needs of the job or requirements. Blanket background checks that include irrelevant information can inadvertently lead to discrimination. For instance, asking for information about a candidate’s credit history when it’s unrelated to the job may violate anti-discrimination laws. Additionally, conducting a targeted background check is more efficient and cost-effective. Unnecessary checks can be time consuming and may result in additional expenses.
How Do You Get a Criminal Record Check in BC?
According to the Government of British Columbia website, you can get a criminal record check BC:
- In-person by visiting a local police department;
- Through the province’s online criminal record check portal;
- Through a company or organization as part of their recruitment process; and/or
- Online through an approved third party service provider.
In-Person at the Local Police Department
Police agencies across BC, including both municipal and federal RCMP, have adopted consistent guidelines for police information checks.
Scheduling an Appointment
If you live in Vancouver, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) recommends scheduling an appointment. On the day of your appointment, bring your completed police information check form (you can download the form or pick one up in person at their location).
Supporting Documentation
In addition to the completed form, you must bring two forms of government-issued identification (one must have a photo). Acceptable forms of identification include:
- valid driver’s licence (with photo)
- valid BC Identification card (with photo)
- valid passport
- valid Permanent Residency card
- birth certificate
- valid citizenship card
According to the VPD website, if your identification doesn’t include your Vancouver address, you must also provide proof of residency, such as a current bank statement or utility bill in your name.
Fees
The cost to process the application is $80.00, but this fee is waived if you require a check as part of a volunteer position.
Results
The results, available in about a week, are released directly to you and you can decide whether or not you want to share the results with the hiring organization.
If you’re running a criminal record check as part of a hiring requirement, confirm with the company or organization what their preferred process is. In addition to doing it yourself in-person, it’s also possible to obtain a criminal record check BC through the province’s online portal or an accredited third-party, which could be cheaper or faster.
Provincial Criminal Record Check Portal
In order to request a criminal record check through the online portal, you’ll need an access code provided by the requesting organization. You can’t access the province’s online portal any other way.
- Go to the Criminal Records Review Program’s eCRC page
- Review the instructions
- Enter the access code
- Select “Request a New Criminal Record Check”
- When asked for “Position”
- After payment, retain a copy of the receipt
It’s recommended that you complete this process on a desktop computer rather than a mobile device.
Through a Company or Organization as Part of their Recruitment Process
If you require a criminal record check BC as part of a recruitment process someone at the company or organization may provide you with an access code so you can use the Criminal Records Review Program’s eCRC page as described above or they may coordinate with a different third-party vendor.
If a prospective employer retains a background screening company, like Certn, to complete all their background checks, then they’ll coordinate with you to request your consent and provide personal information such as your full name, date of birth, Social Identification Number (SIN), and address. The employer may also request details about your employment history, educational background, and professional references.
If you have concerns or questions about the background check process, you should feel free to discuss them with the employer.
Through an Approved Third Party Service Provider
As we covered, employers use checks, especially criminal record checks, as part of their hiring process to make informed decisions about candidates and landlords use them to assess the suitability of potential tenants.
Benefits of MyCRC
By using our RCMP-approved online check instead of an in-person visit to a police station or via the province’s online portal, you never have to leave the house and can have all the necessary information in as little as 15 minutes.
Cost
You can run a background check on yourself online through MyCRC at any time, but it’ll be at your expense and a prospective employer may have policies around how recent the records need to be. The cost for a MyCRC criminal record check is $64.99.
If you’re applying for a new job or open to new opportunities, it might help to understand what others may see about you when they conduct their own screening. Deciding to run a background check on yourself can also be a proactive way to verify the accuracy of your personal and professional information and address any discrepancies or inaccuracies before they affect your employment or housing opportunities.
Can You Look up Someone’s Criminal Record Canada?
Checking criminal records is often required by employers, volunteer organizations, and government agencies as part of the hiring process.
Canadian criminal records documenting offences that fall under federal and provincial jurisdiction are maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in a Canada-wide database called the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). Records can be requested in person or online, but checks on a person can only be ordered by individuals or organizations with a legitimate reason to request such information. Requesting your own records for your personal reference counts as a legitimate reason, so does a prospective employer requesting a criminal record check as a condition of hiring you for a new role. However, you can’t request your friend or partner’s records, for example.
However, published civil, criminal, and penal judicial records and other courthouse details can be accessed for free by anyone searching public repositories such as Québec’s provincial SOQUIJ database where available.
This blog post covers the SOQUIJ database and criminal record check Québec.
Criminal Record Check Online BC
Whether you’re leading HR operations at a global company or simply looking to access your own results, Certn makes background screening faster, easier, and more accurate. Our online criminal record check Alberta are trusted for their speed, security, and industry-leading turnaround times.
Here’s why thousands of businesses and individuals choose Certn:
✅ #1-Rated Usability
From our modern, mobile-friendly interface to our trusted, secure back-end systems, Certn background checks are designed with both clients and candidates in mind. No complicated logins. No confusing steps. Just a simple, straightforward experience that lets you get results, and fast.
✅ Better Candidate and Client Experience
Gone are the days of needing to visit a police station or waiting in long queues. Certn’s online platform lets candidates verify their identity and complete their background checks remotely, through secure email invites. It’s easy, convenient, and entirely mobile-friendly, helping you deliver a smooth experience that reflects well on your brand.
✅ Flexible Deployment—Your Way
Certn integrates seamlessly with leading hiring platforms, ATS systems, compliance tools, and property management software. Whether you need an out-of-the-box solution or a fully customized integration, we make background screening fit into your workflow, not the other way around. Explore more flexible options through our Partner Marketplace.
✅ Personal Background Checks with MyCRC
Need to check your own record? No problem. With MyCRC, a division of Certn, you can request a personal criminal record check online and receive official results, often in as little as 15 minutes. Fast, secure, and built for peace of mind.
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