Understand Certificates and Caregiver Types

What it is: A search of police records on a person (often called a “background check” or “police certificate”). For home care, families usually ask for one of two common types: a CRC or a VSC. The caregiver applies and must consent; results go to them first. See Ontario — Police Record Checks.

The two types you usually need:

• Criminal Record Check (CRC) — the basic check. Shows applicable criminal convictions and certain youth findings. Does not include outstanding charges, discharges, or most court orders. Enough for many general screening situations.
• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) — the deeper check used when someone will be in a position of trust or authority over children or other vulnerable people (including many seniors and people with disabilities). Includes more than a CRC (for example outstanding charges/warrants in the judicial-matters layer, certain “not criminally responsible” findings, and — only when a strict legal test is met — limited non-conviction information). Prefer a VSC for private home care of a vulnerable person.

Who issues: Local municipal police, First Nations police, or the OPP where the person lives. A VSC must be done by a police service (not a third-party provider).

Validity: No single province-wide expiry. Always check the issue date and whether the document says CRC or VSC.

Ask for / check: Type (CRC or VSC); issuing police service; issue date; name matches ID.

Note: Request from the caregiver only. Never described as a ComforHome platform check. A clear check is screening information — not a guarantee of safety.

What it is: Workplace first-aid training. CPR is usually taught as part of a first-aid course — not a separate workplace requirement on its own.

Training & duration: Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency): ~8 hours. Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard): ~16 hours. CPR Level C is commonly included.

Assessment: Skills demonstration during the course; written component may be included.

Who issues / regulates: WSIB-approved training providers (WSIB First Aid Program). As of June 22, 2026, names align with CSA Z1210:24. Older names may still appear on profiles.

Validity: 3 years from issue date — check expiry on the certificate.

Ask for / check: Issuer, level (Basic or Intermediate), CPR level, expiry date, AED training included?

Note: Often listed separately on profiles but may come from one course.

What it is: Proof of completing a personal support worker program — the main credential for hands-on home and community personal care in Ontario.

Training & duration: Programs aligned with the Ontario PSW Training Standard (2022) are typically ~700 hours (theory, lab, LTC and community placements). Often 6–12 months full-time.

Assessment: Module tests and clinical evaluations. NACC colleges may require a NACC PSW final examination for the NACC credential.

Who issues / regulates: Career colleges and public colleges issue the certificate. PSW is not a CNO-regulated profession.

Ask for / check: Original certificate or transcript; school name; graduation date; 2022 standard if claimed.

Note: Not a nursing licence. Program quality varies — interview still matters.

What it is: Shorter training for home and community support — housekeeping, meals, companionship, basic assistance — with less clinical depth than PSW.

Training & duration: NACC HSW programs are commonly ~455 hours (~355 theory/lab + ~100 community placement), often 4–5 months full-time.

Assessment: In-program tests and placement evaluation; NACC programs may include a final exam.

Who issues / regulates: Training providers; unregulated profession. Not interchangeable with PSW for LTC PSW hiring under O. Reg. 79/10.

Ask for / check: Certificate; program hours; written list of tasks they will and will not perform.

Note: HSW alone does not automatically qualify someone for full PSW personal-care scope.

What it is: A two-year Ontario College Diploma for supporting people with developmental disabilities — at home, in schools, and in the community.

Training & duration: 4 semesters (~2 years). Field placements typically ~400–700 hours depending on the college.

Assessment: College coursework and placement requirements.

Who issues / regulates: Ontario public colleges. Not a regulated health profession for home-care licensing.

Ask for / check: College diploma; placement settings; experience relevant to the person’s needs.

Note: Valuable for developmental disability support; scope differs from PSW and nursing.

What it is: Standard title for front-line care aides in BC, Alberta, and Manitoba. In Ontario, the comparable credential is usually PSW.

Training & duration: Varies by province — commonly multiple months with classroom and practicum.

Assessment: Provincial or college assessments depending on jurisdiction.

Who issues / regulates: Varies by province; no separate Ontario HCA licence.

Ask for / check: Where they trained; whether they also hold Ontario PSW or equivalent hours.

Note: For Ontario home care, prefer clarity on PSW-standard training over the HCA label alone.

What it is: Licence to practise as a Registered Nurse in Ontario.

Training & duration: Baccalaureate degree in nursing (typically 4 years) from a CNO-approved program.

Assessment: NCLEX-RN registration examination; CNO jurisprudence examination.

Who issues / regulates: College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) — registration must be active.

Ask for / check: Full name and CNO registration number; confirm status, restrictions, and expiry with CNO.

Note: ComforHome does not look up the registry for you.

What it is: Licence to practise as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario.

Training & duration: 2-year diploma in practical nursing from a CNO-approved program.

Assessment: REx-PN registration examination; CNO jurisprudence examination.

Who issues / regulates: CNO — same public register as RNs.

Ask for / check: Name + CNO registration number; confirm RPN class and active status with CNO.

Note: RPN and RN are different registrations — confirm which matches your needs.

What it is: Enrolled in a nursing program — not a registered nurse or RPN until graduation, exam, and CNO registration.

Training & duration: BN (~4 years) or practical nursing (~2 years). “First year completed” means partway through — not licensed.

Assessment: Faculty assessments during coursework and placements only.

Who issues / regulates: College or university for enrolment. CNO only after full registration. May work as a UCP under employer policy.

Ask for / check: Proof of enrolment; year of study; who supervises tasks; written agreement on scope.

Note: Do not accept “nursing student” as equivalent to RN/RPN licence.

What it is: A nursing licence from outside Ontario. Shows past qualification abroad but does not authorize practice here on its own.

Training & duration: Varies by country. CNO assesses whether education is substantially equivalent.

Assessment: CNO pathway: credential review, possible RNCCAP or IEN education pathway, NCLEX-RN or REx-PN, jurisprudence, language and practice evidence.

Who issues / regulates: Original jurisdiction issued the licence; CNO must grant Ontario registration before practising as RN/RPN.

Ask for / check: Ontario CNO registration — not just a foreign licence card.

Note: Many skilled IENs work in other roles while completing registration.

Dementia / medication assist / specialty courses: Employer or training-centre certificates. Ask for course title, date, and what it authorized. Training proof ≠ nursing licence.

Police checks: Covered under Police Record Check / Vulnerable Sector Check above.