Can you transfer a DBS Check to your new employer?

One question that DBS Check Online receive more frequently is ‘Can a DBS check be used for different jobs?’ For many candidates changing their job is something that concerns them, as a DBS certificate is not automatically portable from one role to another in different companies in organisations. Today, we will explain the complexities of how a DBS check can be used for multiple positions, and why it isn’t automatic.

When to Apply for a DBS Check

Most jobs will ask for a DBS check before you start work, and depending on the role you will perform, it could be a Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS check. Before starting work, the law requires you to have the appropriate DBS certificate.

Back in the day, applicants used to fill out forms by hand and collect other relevant documents. However, the best way to fill out a DBS application is online.

Your employer may ask for a DBS Check even before you start the work, and depending on the role you will perform, it could be a Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS check. Before starting work, the law requires you to have the appropriate DBS certificate.

Are DBS Checks transferable?

For a DBS check to be re-used, the position field and information on the certificate must match the applicant’s new position for it to even be considered. This means that, in order for a person’s DBS check to be transferred, the position should match their new role, as well as the workforce type and any barred lists checks that have been requested.

This is because this information will determine the level and detail of any criminal record history contained on the DBS certificate. If the applicant moves to another role with another employer that is different from their previous job, their DBS certificate may not be in line with the criminal record information that their new employer is legally able to view.

This can work both ways, meaning that in some instances, the certificate may show more information than they are legally able to view, or sometimes perhaps less information than they are allowed to ask about.

Consequently, to consider if a DBS check is transferable, the role, workforce type and barred list checks firstly must match that of their new role before it can be considered.

What else do I need to know?

Ultimately, it is up to an organisation or company’s discretion as to whether they agree to reuse a DBS check. It is on the company or organisation to decide if they will accept a previously issued DBS certificate or if they will request a new one on the applicant’s behalf.

Some points organisations and companies may wish to consider in deciding to reuse a DBS check include:

• Company/organizational policy – there may be policies in place which dictate whether a new check should be requested for every new employee.
• Regulatory body policy – if an organisation has a regulatory body, requesting new DBS checks for applicants may form part of their regulatory requirements.
• Time elapsed since the certificate was issued – although there is no official expiry date for a DBS check, if an organisation is considering accepting a previously issued DBS certificate, they may wish to consider the time that has elapsed since the certificate was issued, when deciding whether to request a new check. Commonly, organisations renew their DBS checks every 1 – 3 years.

Do you need a DBS Check? 

With multiple years of experience in the industry, DBS Check Online has been named one of the top providers for criminal record checks in the UK and has now become a leading organisation for the Disclosure and Barring Service. To provide quality service for all our clients, no industry sector is excluded and we will gladly process disclosures in all areas of commerce.

Ready to find out more?

Give us a call on 03338805331 or send us an email at [email protected]