Regulated Health Profession Fingerprinting in Surrey, BC — Nurses, Doctors, Pharmacists, and All BC Health Regulatory Colleges
Regulated health professionals applying for initial registration or a licence renewal with a British Columbia health regulatory college must complete an RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check. This requirement applies to nurses, physicians, pharmacists, paramedics, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dental professionals, social workers, and many other regulated professions. Surrey Fingerprint Company is RCMP accredited and provides health profession registration fingerprinting with most results returned within 3 business days.
Surrey Fingerprint Company is RCMP accredited and processes health profession registration fingerprinting daily. We are familiar with the requirements of all major BC health regulatory colleges. Walk-ins welcome Monday to Saturday 9 AM–8 PM. (604) 825-8882 · 112-8232 120 Street, Surrey BC
Why BC Health Regulatory Colleges Require Fingerprinting
Under the Health Professions Act and individual college bylaws, BC health regulatory colleges are legally required to conduct criminal record checks for registrants to protect patient safety. Unlike name-based checks — which can miss records from people with similar names — fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record checks are identity-verified, ensuring the check result is definitively matched to the correct individual.
A name-based CPIC check is not sufficient for health profession registration in BC. Your college requires a certified fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record check. The RCMP result is usually sent directly to your regulatory college (for adults) or to you (for some circumstances) as specified in your college's registration instructions.
BC Health Regulatory Colleges — Requirements by Profession
BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) — RNs, LPNs, RPNs, Midwives, Paramedics New RegistrationIEN Required
BCCNM requires a fingerprint-based criminal record check for all new initial registrants — including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), Registered Midwives, and Paramedics (which BCCNM now regulates). Internationally educated nurses (IENs) must also provide a Canadian RCMP check even if they submitted a police clearance from their home country. The criminal record check must be no more than 6 months old at registration submission.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) — Physicians and Surgeons New RegistrationReinstatement
CPSBC requires criminal record checks for new registrants and in circumstances such as licence reinstatement, addressing conduct concerns, or re-registration after a period of non-practice. The CPSBC registration instructions specify whether you need a standard criminal record check or an enhanced check. International medical graduates (IMGs) registering in BC must complete a Canadian RCMP check regardless of checks completed in their home country.
College of Pharmacists of BC — Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians New Registration
The College of Pharmacists of BC requires fingerprint-based criminal record checks for new pharmacy registrants under the Health Professions Act. Both pharmacists and registered pharmacy technicians must complete the check before initial registration is confirmed. Internationally educated pharmacists must provide a Canadian RCMP check as part of their registration package regardless of foreign police clearances submitted.
College of Occupational Therapists of BC (COTBC) — Occupational Therapists New RegistrationIEN Required
COTBC requires a fingerprint-based criminal record check for new registrants and for internationally educated occupational therapists applying for registration in BC. The check must comply with RCMP requirements and be submitted as part of the full registration package. Results are typically sent directly to COTBC.
College of Physical Therapists of BC — Physiotherapists New Registration
The College of Physical Therapists of BC requires criminal record checks as part of new registrant screening. Physiotherapists who have practised in other provinces or internationally and are registering in BC must complete an RCMP fingerprint-based check. Check your college's current registration package for specific form and routing instructions.
College of Dental Surgeons of BC (CDSBC) — Dentists and Dental Specialists New RegistrationIEN Required
CDSBC requires criminal record checks for dentists and dental specialists registering in BC, including international dental graduates. The College of Dental Hygienists of BC has similar requirements for dental hygienist registration.
BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW) — Registered Social Workers New Registration
BCCSW requires criminal record checks for social worker registration, particularly for registrants who will be working with vulnerable populations — children, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Social workers in direct practice settings may be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check in addition to a standard RCMP check depending on their employer's requirements.
Other BC Health Regulatory Colleges
The following colleges also require fingerprint-based criminal record checks for registration: College of Optometrists of BC · College of Chiropractors of BC · College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC · College of Massage Therapists of BC · BC College of Oral Health Professionals · College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC · College of Dietitians of BC. Always check your specific college's registration instructions for current requirements.
Special Section: Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs)
🌐 If You Were Educated or Practised Outside Canada
- Canadian RCMP check is always required — even if you have already provided a police clearance from your home country. Your BC college needs a Canadian check to verify any Canadian criminal history.
- Police clearances from other countries are also typically required for each country where you lived or practised for 6 months or more. These are separate from the Canadian RCMP check.
- For foreign police clearances — Surrey Fingerprint Company provides card scan services for countries that require ink fingerprints on their own national fingerprint form (e.g. UK, India, Philippines, South Africa, UAE, Australia). We can print your fingerprints on the correct country-specific form for mailing to that country's authorities.
- IRCC Police Certificate — if you are also applying for Canadian permanent residency, you will need an RCMP Police Clearance Certificate for immigration purposes in addition to your health college registration check. These can often be done in the same appointment.
- Bring your college's registration instructions to your appointment so we can ensure the correct routing and form are used for your specific college's requirements.
Step-by-Step Process
Check your specific college's current instructions
Each regulatory college may have slightly different requirements — some provide their own routing form or specify an ORI number. Download the registration instructions from your college's website or log into your registration portal before your fingerprinting appointment to confirm exactly what is needed.
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company with your college's form or letter
Bring the form or letter from your regulatory college, your professional registration number or application reference number (if already assigned), and two pieces of government-issued photo ID. Walk-ins welcome Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM.
Electronic fingerprinting — 15 to 20 minutes
We capture your ten digital fingerprints, complete all required form fields, and submit electronically to the RCMP with your college's specified routing or ORI number. You receive a receipt and transaction number immediately.
RCMP processes and routes results — 3 business days
Most clean record results return within 3 business days. Depending on your college's process, results go directly to your college or to you for inclusion in your registration package. Confirm with your college which applies so you can follow up correctly.
Submit your complete registration package to your college
Include the RCMP criminal record check (or confirmation that it has been sent directly to your college) with all other required registration documents. Most colleges require the check to be no more than 6 months old — do not leave significant time between fingerprinting and submitting your registration.
Most BC health regulatory colleges require your criminal record check to be no more than 6 months old at the time your registration application is submitted. If you get fingerprinted but then delay submitting your registration by more than 6 months, you may need to repeat the process. Get fingerprinted as close as possible to when you plan to submit your full registration package.
Some health professionals hold registrations with more than one college — for example, a nurse-midwife, or a physician practising in a second specialty. Each college may require a separate criminal record check submitted to their specific routing. Surrey Fingerprint Company can process multiple simultaneous submissions in one appointment if your colleges require different ORI numbers or routing instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Health Profession Registration Fingerprinting?
Surrey Fingerprint Company processes fingerprints for all BC health regulatory colleges. Walk in any time Monday to Saturday — bring your college's form or letter and your photo ID. Results returned to your college within 3 business days in most cases.
Surrey Fingerprint Company — RCMP Accredited
112 - 8232 120 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3N4 · (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM · Sunday: By Appointment
Serving Surrey, Delta, White Rock, Langley, Burnaby, Richmond & all of BC