DBS Check UK 2026: Basic, Standard and Enhanced Explained
A DBS check — issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service — is one of the most common pre-employment requirements in the UK. Whether you’re applying for a role working with children, vulnerable adults, or in a regulated profession, understanding the three levels of DBS check (Basic, Standard, and Enhanced) is essential in 2026. This guide explains what each level covers, who needs one, how to apply, how long it takes, and what happens if you have previous convictions.
What Is a DBS Check?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is an executive agency of the Home Office. It helps employers make safer recruitment decisions by checking applicants’ criminal records and, for certain roles, checking government barred lists that identify people who are prohibited from working with specific groups.
A DBS check is a disclosure certificate that sets out what, if anything, is recorded on an individual’s criminal record — convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands — relevant to the level of check requested. Not every conviction appears on every level of DBS check; the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) governs which spent convictions must be disclosed and at what level.
DBS checks replaced the old Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks in 2012. If a job advert still refers to a “CRB check”, it means the same thing — a DBS check — just using outdated terminology.
The Three Levels: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced
There are three distinct levels of DBS check. The level required depends on the nature of the role, not on the employer’s preference. Employers cannot request a higher level of check than is legally permitted for a given role.
Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS check is the most straightforward level. It shows only unspent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 — that is, convictions where the rehabilitation period has not yet elapsed.
Who can get one: Anyone — you do not need to be asked by an employer. Individuals can apply for their own Basic DBS check directly.
Who requires it: Many employers in roles that do not involve regulated activity (for example, retail, logistics, office administration, hospitality) may request a Basic DBS check as part of standard pre-employment vetting. Some professional licensing bodies also require it.
What it does NOT show: Spent convictions, cautions, or any barred list information.
Cost (2026): £18 for an application submitted through the DBS online service or a registered umbrella body.
Standard DBS Check
A Standard DBS check goes further, showing both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings held on the Police National Computer (PNC). Certain spent convictions are filtered out under the DBS filtering rules (minor offences from many years ago), but the disclosure is substantially more detailed than a Basic check.
Who can get one: Only employers (or an umbrella body on their behalf) — you cannot apply for a Standard DBS check yourself. It must be requested by an eligible employer for a role that legally qualifies.
Who requires it: Roles that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act under the ROA Exceptions Order 1975. These typically include certain positions in law, finance, accountancy, and some healthcare roles (where Enhanced is not required but Standard is specified by the relevant regulatory body).
What it shows: Spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings (subject to filtering rules).
Cost (2026): £38 for employer-processed checks.
Enhanced DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS check is the most comprehensive level. It includes everything in a Standard check plus a search of the DBS barred lists and, optionally, any “local intelligence” held by local police forces that they deem relevant to the role.
Who can get one: Only eligible employers, for roles specifically listed in the ROA Exceptions Order and the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations.
Who requires it: Roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults. This includes teachers, teaching assistants, social workers, nurses, doctors, care home workers, foster carers, school governors, driving instructors, and many NHS roles. It is also required for certain licensing applications (firearms dealers, lottery workers, etc.).
Types:
- Enhanced DBS (with children’s barred list check) — for roles involving regulated activity with children
- Enhanced DBS (with adults’ barred list check) — for roles involving regulated activity with vulnerable adults
- Enhanced DBS (with both barred lists) — for roles involving both groups
Cost (2026): £38 for employer-processed checks (same as Standard — the enhanced information is included at the same price).
Who Needs a DBS Check?
Whether a DBS check is required — and at what level — depends entirely on the role. The following occupations typically require checks at the indicated level:
| Occupation | Typical DBS level required |
|---|---|
| Teacher / teaching assistant | Enhanced (children’s barred list) |
| NHS nurse / doctor | Enhanced (adults’ and/or children’s barred list) |
| Social worker | Enhanced (both barred lists) |
| Care home worker | Enhanced (adults’ barred list) |
| Prison officer | Enhanced |
| Foster carer / adopter | Enhanced (both barred lists) |
| Solicitor / barrister | Standard (SRA requirement) |
| Accountant (ACCA/ICAEW regulated) | Standard |
| Security guard / door supervisor | Basic (for SIA licence application) |
| General office/admin role | Basic (if any) |
| Self-employed tradesperson | Basic (voluntary) |
Employers who request a higher level of check than is legally permitted for a role are acting unlawfully. If you believe an employer has asked for an inappropriately high level of check, you can raise this with the DBS or seek advice from ACAS.
How to Apply for a DBS Check in 2026
Basic DBS check (self-application)
You can apply directly through the DBS website (gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record) or via a DBS-registered umbrella body. You will need to verify your identity with documents such as a passport, driving licence, and proof of address. The process is completed online, and the certificate is issued digitally or by post.
Standard or Enhanced DBS check (employer application)
These must be processed by the employer, usually through a registered umbrella body (an organisation that is authorised to submit DBS applications on behalf of employers). Your employer will give you forms to complete and will require you to present original identity documents in person.
You must provide one document from Group 1 (passport, biometric residence permit, or driving licence with photo), plus two further documents from Groups 2a/2b (utility bills, bank statements, birth certificate, etc.).
Cost and Turnaround Times
In 2026, the fees charged by the DBS are:
- Basic DBS check: £18
- Standard DBS check: £38
- Enhanced DBS check: £38
- Volunteer Enhanced DBS check: FREE (DBS waives its fee for volunteers; umbrella body admin fees may still apply)
Turnaround times are typically 14 days or fewer in most cases, with many straightforward checks completed within a few days. Complex cases — where local police hold relevant information, or there are issues with identity verification — can take longer. The DBS publishes live statistics on average processing times on its website.
DBS Checks and Previous Convictions
Having a conviction does not automatically mean you cannot work in a particular role. The key questions are: what is the offence, how long ago did it occur, and what level of DBS check the role requires?
Under the DBS filtering rules (as updated following the Supreme Court ruling in 2021), certain old and minor convictions are automatically removed (“filtered”) from Standard and Enhanced disclosures if certain conditions are met — though serious offences (violent crimes, sexual offences, offences against children or vulnerable adults) are never filtered.
For Basic DBS checks, only unspent convictions appear. Many convictions become spent after a set period — for example, a fine becomes spent after one year, a community order after two years, and a prison sentence of under 12 months after two years after release.
If you have a conviction that appears on a DBS certificate, you are not always required to disclose it to an employer unless the role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. For exempt roles, you must disclose everything that appears on your certificate. Being honest is always the best approach — employers who discover undisclosed relevant convictions after appointment almost always treat this as grounds for dismissal.
The DBS Update Service
The DBS Update Service (£13 per year in 2026) allows you to keep your DBS certificate up to date and to give employers permission to check it online — without needing a new certificate for every role. This is particularly useful for people who work in multiple regulated roles (supply teachers, agency care workers, locum doctors, etc.).
You must register for the Update Service within 30 days of your DBS certificate being issued. Once registered, any employer with your permission can run an instant status check online to see if your certificate remains current (i.e., no new information has been added since it was issued).
Looking for jobs in healthcare, education, or social care where a DBS check will be required? Browse current UK job vacancies on UK Jobs Alert. For salary guidance on regulated roles, see our guide to NHS nursing salary UK 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS check?
A Basic DBS check shows only unspent convictions and is available to anyone. A Standard DBS check shows both spent and unspent convictions (subject to filtering) and is required by employers for certain regulated roles. An Enhanced DBS check additionally includes a search of the DBS barred lists and any relevant local police intelligence, and is required for roles involving regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.
How long does a DBS check take in 2026?
Most DBS checks are completed within 14 days. Simple cases (no criminal record, clear identity verification) are often processed within a few days. Complex cases can take longer if local police hold relevant information.
Can I work before my DBS check comes back?
This depends on the employer and the role. For regulated activity roles (working with children or vulnerable adults), most employers will not allow unsupervised work until the Enhanced DBS check is returned. For lower-risk roles, some employers allow a conditional start subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS certificate.
Do DBS checks expire?
DBS certificates do not have an official expiry date, but they only reflect the information held at the time of issue. Many employers set their own renewal periods (typically every 1–3 years). The DBS Update Service (£13/year) allows certificates to be kept current so employers can check their status instantly.
