Abstract

As health professionals, we are accountable to protect the public we serve from unscrupulous practitioners. The role of monitoring the practice of our members is the comittment we make to government in response to the legislated right to self regulation.<p> Who should be allowed entrance to health care professional programs? How do educators decide which applicants are most suitable? Currently one of the criteria increasingly appearing in the screening process is the requirement for a criminal record check. Should a criminal record preclude admission to health professional education? Any criminal record? How do professions determine which criminal records bar participation? </p><p> This paper identifies current practice in the Canadian context, reviews the literature in the field, and discusses the implications for populations currently underrepresented in health professional programming. It outlines the balance between protecting the public and promoting a diverse, representative health professional workforce.</p>