From CRB to DBS: How long is a CRB check valid for – and what’s changed?

From CRB to DBS: How long is a CRB check valid for – and what’s changed?

If you worked in roles that required a background check before 2012, you might still have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) certificate gathering dust in your paperwork. You might therefore be unsure whether these older checks are still valid when applying to jobs today that require some level of security vetting – and, if not, what they’ve been replaced with. 

This article will clear up any confusion, explain the transition from CRB to newer clearances and answer common questions about how long a CRB check is valid for, helping you understand what employers expect today and what you’ll need to secure a job working with sensitive data or vulnerable individuals.

What were CRB checks?

CRB checks were introduced in 2002 to help employers make safer recruitment decisions, especially for roles involving children, vulnerable adults and positions of trust. The process aimed to identify any relevant criminal history that might affect a person’s suitability for specific roles. 

However, the CRB was merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority in 2012 to form the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), creating a single, more streamlined vetting framework. The purpose of this change was to improve efficiency, reduce duplication and provide a clearer system for employers and applicants alike. As part of this, CRB checks were discontinued and replaced by DBS clearances. 

Although they have a new name, the purpose of DBS checks remains unchanged – to give employers an insight into any relevant criminal history and provide reassurances that candidates are suitable for sensitive roles.

Are old CRB checks still valid?

Technically, yes, as CRB certificates issued before 2012 do not have an official expiration date and are still considered valid. However, as they only act as a snapshot of your criminal record at the time they were issued, they are often no longer useful today, as they reflect only your circumstances at that point in time. 

Since then, many circumstances may have changed that could affect your suitability for a role and not be reflected on an old CRB clearance. For instance, any new criminal records or other interactions with the police in the meantime won’t be recorded.

This means that while an old CRB certificate isn’t invalid in itself, most employers now require a current DBS check to ensure they have the most up-to-date information. This modern vetting process ensures safer recruitment and better protection for vulnerable groups.

What should I do if I still have a CRB certificate?

If you still have an old CRB certificate, it’s a good idea to keep it for your own records, as it serves as evidence of your background and good character at that point in time. However, it’s important to know that most employers will request a DBS check instead, as they need the most current and comprehensive information about your criminal record and suitability for a role. When applying for a new position, be prepared to go through the DBS process and understand that your old CRB certificate may not be accepted on its own.

How DBS checks work today

Although CRB checks were replaced by the DBS in 2012, the essential purpose remains the same: to provide employers with information about a person’s criminal record, helping the organisation make an informed recruitment decision. 

As such, there is little practical difference between CRB and DBS checks in terms of the information they provide to employers and how the process works. They still serve as a safeguard for working with children, vulnerable adults or in positions of trust, so you won’t be able to start many rules that involve these responsibilities without one.

DBS checks come in four levels. These are:

• Basic: Shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
• Standard: Includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings.
• Enhanced: Provides the same as the Standard check, plus any additional information held by local police that’s relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with barred list: The highest level, including everything from the Enhanced check, plus a check against the children’s and/or adult’s barred lists.
  

A basic check is the only level you can arrange on your own. All other levels require an employer to initiate the process, by requesting checks through a registered body or umbrella organisation that manages the application on their behalf.

Processing times can vary, but most DBS checks are completed within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the level and any additional information required. However, for Enhanced checks, this timeframe may be longer if enquiries need to be made with local police forces. This is known as DBS stage 4 and can lead to further delays.

Like older CRB certificates, DBS clearances do not expire, although in most cases, you’ll need a new DBS check every time you move to a new role or employer. However, you can avoid this by signing up to the DBS Update Service. This costs £16 a year and allows you to keep your DBS certificate up-to-date online. 

This may be especially useful if you expect to move employers frequently within your industry, as it can be taken to a new position without the need to begin the process all over again.