How Long Does an Enhanced DBS Last? (UK) + How to Apply
How long does your Enhanced DBS check last? The official answer is simple and surprising: it doesn't have an expiry date. This creates a common puzzle—if a certificate never expires, why do new employers insist you get another one? The reason is fundamental to how these checks work.
A DBS certificate records information disclosed at the time the check was completed. It cannot show information recorded later, and it does not provide a complete record of somebody’s history or guarantee their future conduct. DBS information supports a suitability assessment alongside other safeguarding checks.
Before relying on an existing certificate, confirm the organisation’s policy and whether the certificate matches the role, workforce and identity. Latimer’s requirement is an Enhanced DBS with the Children’s Barred List, either registered on the Update Service or issued within the last four years.
Is an Old CRB Certificate Still Valid?
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) was replaced by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in 2012. A CRB-branded certificate should be assessed in the same way as a DBS-branded certificate: check the person’s identity, the role, the level and the currency of the information. DBS applies in England and Wales; Scotland uses PVG and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI.
Neither CRB nor DBS certificates have an official expiry date. An organisation may still require a new check because an older certificate does not reflect more recent information. Latimer assesses certificates against its own acceptance requirements rather than rejecting them solely because of the CRB branding.
What is an Enhanced DBS Check?
An Enhanced DBS check includes information from a Standard check, subject to filtering, plus relevant information held by local police. The appropriate check depends on the role and jurisdiction; direct contact with children does not automatically make every role eligible for an Enhanced check with barred-list information.
This detailed check includes:
- Spent and unspent convictions
- Cautions, warnings, and reprimands
- Any information held by local police that is considered relevant
- A check of the Children’s Barred List
An Enhanced DBS check and an Enhanced DBS check with barred-list information are distinct types. Barred-list information can be requested only where the role is eligible. For tutors applying to Latimer, our acceptance requirement includes the Children’s Barred List. You can apply before obtaining a new check.
How to Apply for an Enhanced DBS Check as an Individual
Eligible self-employed tutors and personal employees can apply for an Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS check through a registered DBS Umbrella Body. Eligibility depends on the role. Applicants do not apply directly to DBS for an Enhanced check.
Latimer can guide you through its DBS application process. Eligible self-employed applicants may also use a registered DBS Umbrella Body. Confirm the required check and the role’s eligibility before submitting an application.
If you are applying to tutor with Latimer, you can apply without already meeting our DBS requirements. After your interview, complete your acceptance tasks, including your tutor profile, then request a profile review. We note your DBS status at that review. If you need a new check, we leave the DBS application until all other onboarding requirements are complete. Your profile remains private and we do not introduce you to clients until the required check has been accepted. You may also obtain a check independently in your own time. Our separate Enhanced DBS service is available if you would like help.
Pro Tip: Keep Your DBS Current with the Update Service
The DBS Update Service lets legally entitled organisations check the status of an eligible certificate with the tutor’s consent. It does not issue a new certificate each year. The original certificate, identity and role suitability still need to be checked. Parents should follow the current DBS guidance for their arrangement.
The Update Service costs £15 per year for paid applicants from 5 October 2026. You can join during an eligible application or within 30 days of the certificate being issued; check the current DBS registration guidance. The subscription is separate from the cost of a new DBS application.
Your 3-Step DBS Checklist
A DBS check is a snapshot in time, and an employer’s policy is what truly counts. With this clarity, you can handle any request with a simple, confident action plan.
- Check the Policy: Always ask the employer for their specific rules on certificate age.
- Get the Right Level: Confirm which check the role is eligible for; barred-list information is available only for eligible roles.
- Apply at the Right Stage: If you are joining Latimer, complete the interview, acceptance tasks and requested profile review first; any needed DBS application is left until the other onboarding requirements are complete.
Start your Enhanced DBS application with Latimer Tuition now