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Guidance

Eligibility guidance for Standard DBS checks

A guide to eligibility for Standard certificates, for Registered Bodies and employers.

Updates to this page

From:
Disclosure and Barring Service
Published:
14 November 2012
Last updated:
1 September 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated to link to new guidance as of 1st September supervision exemption changes

  2. Legislative change introduced adding individuals involved in the delivery of electronic monitoring and field services by a contractor for the Probation Service.

  3. Due to the legislation change that has updated the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 on Thursday 6 July 2023 the attached guidance has been amended to include the following newly eligible roles: Fire service employees, Chartered Management Accountants, Notary Public of England and Wales, and Justice system intermediaries The following additions have also been made to the guide, however these are not based on new legislation, just clarifications: Individuals, and their direct supervisors, who care for, train, supervise or are solely in charge of armed forces cadets aged under 18 Any work that relates to providing care services to vulnerable adults, as per sec.59 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, where that work means there is also contact with the patients

  4. Link to DBS Guidance Leaflets added.

  5. Information updated. Content now relates more to eligibility for standard DBS checks/certificates for registered bodies and employers.

  6. Information updated in line with the DBS' new online application for basic checks.

  7. Updated the link for regulated activity with children.

  8. Updated regulations at number 44 in the eligibility table. It doesn't affect the eligibility for standard DBS checks for individuals covered by the new regulations.

  9. Added an updated Welsh version of the eligibility guide.

  10. Includes a new NHS role where the work involves counter fraud measures, the investigation of offences or security management. A DBS standard level check can be submitted.

  11. Changes to legislation - the eligibility guidance and child workforce document have both been updated to include some new entries about the introduction of child minder agencies by Ofsted. These show in the eligibility guidance from reference number 34 onwards.

  12. Welsh copy of the eligibility guidance updated to version 5.

  13. Eligibility guide and workforce documents updated.

  14. The eligibility and workforce guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the legislation that gives employers access to DBS checks for individuals who work with children.

  15. Fixed the link to regulated activity with children on the Department for Education website

  16. Added a link to the DBS sample policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

  17. Added guidance documents about adult and child workforces. Supervision guidance has also been added.

  18. Added a Welsh version of the guide.

  19. Added information about submitting an application eligibility enquiry to the DBS

  20. Updated to version 2

  21. First published.

Documents

Standard DBS check eligibility guide

PDF, 260 KB, 12 pages

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Details

Please note: This guidance is being replaced by Eligibility for Standard DBS Checks - GOV.UK from 1 September 2026. This page will remain available for reference alongside the new guidance for a limited time.

Information on roles and types of work that are eligible for a Standard DBS check

You can read about regulated activity, workforces and supervising activity in the Eligibility guidance for enhanced DBS checks including regulated activity page.

You can also find more information regarding eligibility in our DBS guidance leaflets.

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