Yes, all members are required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check or an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. The FCA takes very seriously the potential for abuse particularly with regard to children and vulnerable adults. We want to take steps that ensure those in our churches are protected and that the FCA maintains a high standard of membership.

Yes, all members are required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check or an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. The FCA takes very seriously the potential for abuse particularly with regard to children and vulnerable adults in any country . We want to take steps that ensure those in our churches are protected and that the FCA maintains a high standard of membership.

You must provide a letter from your board verifying that you are not in a position of trust in your ministry, along with the original denial letter by the police.

Most of the information that you need is on the policy page, or is provided with your results from the guide. If you are unable to find your answers, you can contact the office by email or phone.

Yes, everyone needs to have a check completed.  A past criminal conviction will trigger an automatic review prior to ongoing ministry as an FCA minister. Not all offences carry the same implications, but all must be reviewed. A past criminal conviction does not automatically mean disqualification from FCA membership nor from ministry.

Many of our members struggle with computers and we understand the challenge. Please have someone that is confident using computers to sit down with you and help you out. If you still cannot work your way through the guide, call the office and we will assist you.

We have compiled some information from each province that should help you get started with applying for the proper check. Work with your serving church or ministry as they likely have a policy and procedure for you to follow. Provide them the letter template that should accompany your application.

Yes, contact your local police station to ask questions or apply for the check you need.

If you know which check you need, use the guide to upload by answering the first question “Yes” and making the appropriate selection for the next question. If you have not completed the correct check, we will contact you.

Most of the information that you need is one the policy page, or is provided with your results from the guide. If you are unable to find your answers, you can contact the office by email or phone.
Email: office@fcaministers.com
Phone: (403) 341-3408

Submit the letter used to apply, along with the rejection letter using the Abuse Prevention Requirement Guide. Reapply for a VSC using the letter template provided.

• Download the Vulnerable Sector Check Letter Template

If you are denied even after using the template, please submit that denial letter that you received from the police and obtain an Enhanced Criminal Record Check and submit that.

You must provide a letter from your board verifying that you are not in a position of trust in your ministry at the church, along with the original denial letter by the police.

Vulnerable Sector Checks are not federally regulated so some provinces use different terminology. Contact your local police station and ask them what the equivalent would be by asking for a record check that includes offences or charges of youth or vulnerable adults.

• Info on how to obtain a check in each province

The term "Enhanced Criminal Record Check" is not standardized across Canada, and its scope varies by province, police service, or organization. In some regions, it may simply refer to a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) or a Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Check included. Visit the Details by Province page and read the information provided about checks in your province. We have done our best to include the alternate names for the equivalent checks. It is possible that your local area has a name not listed, contact your local police station and ask them what the equivalent would be by referencing the names provided. 

• Info on how to obtain a check in each province

Most of the information that you need is one the policy page, or is provided with your results from the guide. If you are unable to find your answers, you can contact the office by email or phone.
Email: office@fcaministers.com
Phone: (403) 341-3408

 If you submitted your application and allowed ample time to receive your check back, but it’s taking longer than expected, please communicate this to the office. Go to the Abuse Prevention Requirement Guide, select “Yes” that you have already completed this form once before and then select “No, I need to provide information to the office.” Fill out the form and upload any documents you consider relevant.

You must provide a letter from your board verifying that you are not in a position of trust in your ministry at the church, along with the original denial letter by the police.

You must have someone in your church leadership examine your check and verify it as an unaltered original by writing the following at the bottom:

1. A statement “I verify this is an original and unaltered [name of check].”
2. Date
3. Their Signature
4. Their Printed Name

Only someone in leadership at the church or ministry where you serve can verify your check.

If you are in a position of leadership at the serving church or ministry of the member, you can verify their check. You must examine the check to ensure that it is an original document and no alterations were made. Write the following at the bottom of the page:

1. A statement “I verify this is an original and unaltered [name of check].”
2. Date
3. Signature
4. Printed name

If your Vulnerable Sector Check or Enhanced Criminal Record Check reveals a past criminal conviction, there will be an automatic review prior to ongoing ministry as an FCA minister. Not all offences carry the same implications, but all must be reviewed. A past criminal conviction does not automatically mean disqualification from FCA membership nor from ministry. However, any record involving a sexual offense against a minor or vulnerable person will result in an inability to obtain FCA membership. Any decision regarding past criminal convictions may be appealed.

Yes, everyone needs to have a check completed.  A past criminal conviction will trigger an automatic review prior to ongoing ministry as an FCA minister. Not all offences carry the same implications, but all must be reviewed. A past criminal conviction does not automatically mean disqualification from FCA membership nor from ministry. However, any record involving a sexual offense against a minor or vulnerable person will result in an inability to obtain FCA membership. Any decision regarding past criminal convictions may be appealed.

We prefer that you submit the documents using the Abuse Prevention Requirement Guide. This ensures 1. That you receive a submission confirmation, and 2. The office has a record of your submission that can be tracked.

Submit Checks Here: https://www.canada.fcaministers.com/ap-guide/

Please call or email the office and we can help you.
Phone: (403) 341-3408
Email: office@fcaministers.com

There could be a number of reasons you are getting reminders, if you submitted your check within the past 2 business days, we may not have processed your submission yet. If you are concerned that we didn’t get it, please contact the office.

We appreciate your diligence in submitting your check with your application. You do not need to submit a new check. If you received an automated reminder, contact the office to ensure it was received and processed.

Many of our members struggle with computers and we understand that the struggle is real. Please have one of your grandchildren sit down with you and help you out. If you still can work your way through the guide, call the office and we will work with you on it.

If you submitted your application and allowed ample time to receive your check back, but it’s taking longer than expected, please communicate this to the office. Go to the Abuse Prevention Requirement Guide, select “Yes” that you have already completed this form once before and then select “No, I need to provide information to the office.” Fill out the form and upload any documents you consider relevant.